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Dr. Kenneth Rosenthal
Dr. Jonathan C. O’Quinn
Dr. Michael J. Price

(252) 830-1000

Greenville, North Carolina

September 2021

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 00:00

Painful, Persistent Plantar Warts

Warts are growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can occur in various areas of the body and are spread through direct contact or indirectly through contact with a surface or object that has previously been in contact with a wart. Plantar warts are flat, hard, and rough growths that develop on the bottom surface (plantar) of the foot. They are brown or gray, with tiny black dots in the center, which are actually blood vessels that nourish the wart with oxygen and nutrients. Plantar warts can be individual or grow in clusters. They are typically tender and can be quite painful while walking and standing. While they may go away on their own, it can take years to completely rid yourself of them. If you have one or more plantar warts that are causing you discomfort, contact a podiatrist who has a variety of treatment options to remove the wart.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors 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 Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Friday, 24 September 2021 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 21 September 2021 00:00

What Causes Cuboid Syndrome?

Cuboid syndrome is a condition in which the cuboid bone, located in the center of the foot, becomes dislocated. This produces symptoms such as foot pain, difficulty walking, swelling, sensitivity, and a reduced range of motion of the foot or ankle. The symptoms are like a sprain. Although the precise cause of cuboid syndrome is unknown, this condition is thought to arise from a forceful turn of the cuboid bone outwards as the heel bone turns inwards. This can be caused by an ankle sprain or other lower limb injury. Certain factors can increase the likelihood of cuboid syndrome. These include instability in the midfoot, being overweight or obese, wearing ill-fitting shoes or poorly constructed orthotics, and training excessively or on uneven surfaces. If you are experiencing the symptoms of cuboid syndrome, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

 

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Published in Blog
Tuesday, 14 September 2021 00:00

Causes and Treatments for Broken Toes

Broken toes are extremely painful, and they are usually a result of a severe impact or trauma such as stubbing the toe or having something fall on it. However, stress fractures, which are small hairline fractures that occur from overuse, may also develop in the toes. Common signs of a broken toe include severe pain that starts at the moment of trauma, rapid swelling, bruising and deformity. While treatment options for a broken toe generally start with resting and icing the toe, patients who may have broken their toe should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. A podiatrist will be able to take an X-ray of the toe to tell if it is broken and suggest more in depth treatment options such as surgery, buddy taping (taping the broken toe to a healthy toe next to it), or, in some cases, a walking boot.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising on the skin and toenail
  • The inability to move the toe
  • Toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

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Published in Blog
Tuesday, 07 September 2021 00:00

Reasons Your Feet May Hurt

Foot pain is one of the most common complaints addressed by podiatrists. Foot pain may be the result of injury, overuse, or inflammation, among other potential causes. Injuries that may cause foot pain can include Achilles tendonitis or rupture, bone fractures, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and more. Injuries can occur suddenly or due to repetitive overuse. Inflammatory conditions like arthritis are also very common culprits behind foot pain. Skin conditions like corns, calluses, and plantar warts may lead to foot pain as the affected areas rub against the shoes or are put under pressure while walking or standing. Deformities such as hammertoes and bunions can also be quite painful, especially if they are severe. If you are suffering from foot pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

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