A plantar wart is a small, rough growth that appears on the bottom of the foot, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, infecting the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions. Common causes include walking barefoot in public areas, such as near pools, or in locker rooms or showers, where the virus thrives. Symptoms may include a small, thickened area of skin, extreme pain while walking or standing, and sometimes black dots within the wart. Preventing plantar warts involves keeping feet clean and dry, avoiding direct contact with contaminated surfaces, and wearing protective footwear in public spaces. A podiatrist can diagnose plantar warts, provide safe treatment options, and offer guidance to prevent recurrence. If you have concentrated foot pain while standing or walking, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot ulcers are serious wounds that can develop for many reasons, and the right treatment depends on the underlying cause. Diabetic foot ulcers often occur due to nerve damage and pressure on certain areas of the foot. These require offloading with custom footwear, careful wound cleaning, and monitoring for infection. Arterial ulcers, which result from poor circulation, need blood flow to be improved through medical care while the wound is treated. Venous ulcers, often near the ankle, respond well to compression therapy and dressings that support healing. Pressure ulcers, caused by continuous stress on one spot, are managed with specialized shoes, cushions, or orthotics to relieve weight on the area. Because untreated ulcers can lead to serious complications, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist for a thorough diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan to protect your long-term health.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The Achilles tendon is the strong band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, allowing you to walk, run, and jump. Overuse, sudden increases in activity, or poor footwear can lead to Achilles tendinopathy, a condition marked by stiffness, swelling, and pain at the back of the ankle. In more severe cases, the tendon may partially or completely tear, often causing sudden, sharp pain and difficulty walking. These injuries are more common in active adults, but can happen to anyone, especially during activities that involve explosive movements. Prompt evaluation is important, as untreated tendon problems can lead to chronic pain or reduced mobility. Treatment may include rest, targeted exercises, supportive footwear, or surgery for a rupture. If you experience persistent heel or ankle pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Bunion surgery is a procedure to correct the bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe. Bunions develop from joint misalignment, often caused by genetics, wearing tight shoes, flat feet, or arthritis. When pain or difficulty walking persists after taking conservative measuress, surgery may be recommended to realign the joint, remove excess bone, and restore function. Types of bunion surgery vary based on the severity of the deformity and may involve soft tissue or bone correction. A podiatrist can evaluate your condition, explain the procedure, and guide you through recovery. If a bunion is limiting your mobility or causing discomfort, it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can discuss the benefits of bunion surgery with you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail, or onychocryptosis, occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, often causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. This condition most commonly affects the big toe and may result from improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, injury, or genetic factors. Risk increases with poor foot hygiene, curved nails, and activities that place repeated pressure on the toes. Symptoms include tenderness along the nail border, pus, and difficulty walking. A podiatrist can provide relief through gentle nail care, infection management, and guidance on prevention. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, which may include minor surgery.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Joan Oloff, DPM of Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.