Kris DiNucci, a surgeon who presented at the Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), stated that women may be at a greater risk for neuromas than men. The presentation stated that women that are flat footed or wear narrow shoes are the most susceptible to the condition that mostly occurs when a nerve becomes inflamed between the third and fourth toe.

The most common foot condition noted in women was the Morton’s Neuroma, which causes a burning or tingling feeling in the toes with the possibility of swelling or even worsening if not treated.  Those that participated in the ACFAS conference believe that conditions such as the Morton’s Neuroma can be prevented and alleviated with the help of proper footwear.

Morton’s neuroma can be a difficult condition to cope with. If you are experiencing symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma, talk to podiatrist Dr. Paula Raugellis of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Dr. Raugellis can diagnose and treat your feet accordingly.

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the third and fourth toe and the ball of the foot, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible to this condition. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.  Women are more likely than men to have an occurrence of this foot condition.

What Increases the Chances of having Morton’s Neuroma?

-Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot area.
-Jogging, running and any sports that involve constant impact to the foot area.
-Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformity may put you at a higher risk for developing Morton’s neuroma.

If you suspect that you may have this condition, you should visit your podiatrist. A podiatrist will first conduct a thorough physical examination to check for palpable masses between the bones of the foot.
If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredrickstown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

For more information on the treatment of diabetes, visit our link below.

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Due to complications with plantar fasciitis, triathlete Vicky Holland will be ending her season early. She currently has two games left in the World Series Final: Stockholm and Edmonton. The Common Wealth Games champion has been suffering with her foot condition and is now experiencing inflammation. The early retreat this season will allow Holland to address her foot problems so she can prepare for the next step in her career. The Olympian stated, “I’m not sure what the plan at the end of the season is, whether I will be in a boot or have shockwave therapy again or have injections … So it’s important for me now to finish the season early, address the issues I have and then go again.”

Plantar fasciitis can be treated in various ways, one method being shockwave therapy. For more information, speak to Dr. Paula Raugellis of Greene Podiatry Associates. Dr. Raugellis will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. This technique is used on patients that do not respond well to physiotherapy. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation. 

Who Benefits from Shockwave?

Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported. 

Fast and Easy

The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, attacking the source of the problem so treatment lasts for a long time. 

Treatment & Recovery Time

Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.

For more information regarding shockwave therapy, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Children can develop ingrown toenails in their feet from even the simplest of mistakes. For example, one of the most common ways a child develops an ingrown toenail is when his or her nails are cut too short. To prevent these ingrown toenails, cut their nails evenly and avoid trimming them down excessively. Keep in mind ingrown nails can also occur if a child wears socks and shoes that are too small for his or her feet.

Other cases of ingrown toenails can simply be caused by a genetic predisposition to curved nails. No matter the cause of the ingrown toenail, do not attempt to treat this condition at home. Removing an ingrown nail with a “bathroom surgery” can lead to a bacterial infection.

Ingrown toenails are terribly uncomfortable, and in the worst cases surgery might be required to get rid of them. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, consult podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis will confirm your diagnosis and do everything she can to treat your problem.

Ingrown Toenails Causes
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

There are a number of risk factors for ingrown toenails. Some include cutting your nails too short, participating in strenuous sports, diabetes, obesity, and fungal infection. Some are genetically predisposed to ingrown nails, although wearing ill-fitting or damp shoes can exacerbate the problem.

Treatment
There are a number of steps you can take to treat ingrown nails:

-Let your toenails grow out
-Soak the toes in hot water with antibiotic soap or Epsom salts
-Placing a piece of cotton under the affected nail may allow the toe to grow up instead of into the nail bed
-Rest with your feet up

If however, your pain is severe, or you see red streaks running up your leg, you should see a podiatrist. Your podiatrist may make a small incision and remove part of the toe nail to relieve the pressure. A local anesthetic may be used to lessen the discomfort of the operation.  Topical medication may also be prescribed to prevent the regrowth of the problem nail.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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Sue Asher serves as an instructor for a local aerobics class that mainly pertain to senior citizens. Asher’s class meets at a local swimming pool two times on a weekly basis, where students exercise the feet, arms, and legs. Although the workout is relatively calm and simple workout serves to improve muscle strength and prevent the onset of joint problems like arthritis.

“Class starts at 10:45 but between 10:30 and 10:45 we catch up on things that are happening in the town, happening with the senior citizens and it is our social time,” Asher stated. “Then we do our exercises and work hard.”

Swimming is a great way for the elderly and people with arthritic feet to get exercise. If you have any questions about the benefits of swimming on the feet, consider contacting podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis will explain the unique health advantages this activity has and recommend some simple exercises for you to do.

Benefits of Swimming and Foot care

Our feet receive the most stress on a daily basis. Walking, running, and long standing contribute to pain and stress on the feet. Swimming helps promote circulation and keep the body feeling great and healthy.

Benefits of swimming:

Improve blood circulation

• Swimming is a good, safe way to get in extra physical activity and improve circulation, without causing further trauma to the feet

Relieve aches or pains

• It takes all the pressure off of them, allowing the feet to relax and recover, and     improves blood flow to them.

Circulation overall for diabetics

• Swimming contributes to blood flow, and increase oxygen levels within the body.

Reduce foot inflammation

• Swimming in warm water can increase blood flow and make it easier to move       and stretch the afflicted foot. The feet are also exposed in water, giving them much needed air.

Swimming the helpful alternative:

Many people like the elderly and diabetics suffer from weakened muscles and joints. A water sport like swimming will support the body, thus allowing him or her to move freely. Blood flow circulation is a main trigger to tired inflamed feet.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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Whether you are a seasoned marathon runner, a light jogger, or just getting started; runners of different commitments can all benefit from following the same set of training guidelines, says Coach Vic Gainer of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Following these guidelines, Gainer suggests, can aid in the prevention of running injuries.

Cement surfaces, with their denseness, can be damaging to the feet and knees. Along with fast downhill runs and slanted terrains, these should all be avoided. Different distances should be run if you are a daily runner as opposed to running the same distance. Additionally, choose to stretch after running at least one mile instead of stretching before a run.

All runners are susceptible to injury. If you’re a runner and you’d like to learn how to protect yourself from getting hurt, see podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber, this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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