Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that causes pain in the heel and the bottom of the foot. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. This inflammation is often due to overuse, excessive pressure, or improper footwear. People with plantar fasciitis typically experience sharp, stabbing pain, especially in the morning or after long periods of rest. To manage plantar fasciitis, it is important to rest and avoid activities that can worsen the pain. Wearing supportive shoes can help to reduce strain. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections, or even surgery may be necessary to achieve relief. If you have plantar fasciitis, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM  from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

Plantar warts are a common foot issue in children, caused by the human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV. These warts typically appear on the soles of the feet and can be painful, especially when walking or standing. Children are more susceptible to plantar warts due to their active lifestyles and frequent exposure to public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and playgrounds, where the virus thrives in warm, moist environments. Plantar warts often look like small, rough growths with tiny black dots at the center. While they may go away on their own, treatment can speed up the healing process and relieve discomfort. Options can include, cryotherapy, freezing, or removal by a podiatrist. To prevent plantar warts, encourage kids to wear flip-flops in public areas and keep their feet clean and dry. If your child has a plantar wart, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM from Center for Podiatric Excellence. 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 Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Laser treatment for fungal toenails is a modern approach that targets the infection with concentrated light, effectively reducing or eliminating the fungus. This procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals who may not tolerate oral antifungal medications, such as those with liver or kidney issues, diabetes, or older adults. During the procedure, a podiatrist uses a specialized device to shine light onto the affected nails, which may destroy or inhibit the growth of the fungus. This non-invasive treatment typically causes minimal discomfort, with most patients able to resume their regular activities immediately. Results of laser toenail treatment are not immediate and may take a couple of months to become noticeable, with full nail regrowth taking longer. Multiple sessions might be necessary to achieve the desired outcome. If you have fungal toenail problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to see if laser treatment is right for you.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Mark Isenberg, DPM from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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

Heel pain affects people of all ages and lifestyles. It is often referred to by various names, including plantar fasciitis, policeman's heel, tennis heel, and jogger's feet. This type of pain typically stems from inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Common causes include overuse, wearing improper footwear, sudden increases in activity, or standing for prolonged periods of time. While heel pain can be debilitating, several treatment options exist, ranging from conservative methods like rest and stretching exercises, to more aggressive interventions, such as orthotics or even surgery in severe cases. It is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist if you have heel pain. This foot doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan to prevent heel pain from worsening.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM of Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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