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We are Happy to Welcome Dr. Michael Price to our Practice.

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

(252) 830-1000

Greenville, North Carolina
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April 2024

Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:00

Common Foot Injuries in Baseball

Baseball players may experience various foot and ankle injuries, including contusions, fractures, heel spurs, and Achilles tendonitis. While these injuries can sideline even the most seasoned athletes, intervention from a podiatrist can make all the difference in swift recovery and long-term performance. Contusions are a common occurrence from ball contact or collisions among players. Sprains and fractures can occur during dynamic plays, such as sliding into a base, and require immediate medical attention. Catchers, who often bear the brunt of repetitive stress, can find relief from conditions such as plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome through custom orthotic devices and footwear recommendations provided by a podiatrist. By addressing issues like Achilles tendonitis with specialized care, including targeted stretching and strengthening programs, a podiatrist can help baseball players overcome injuries. If you incur a foot or ankle injury while playing baseball, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fasciosis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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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Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a common condition characterized by a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, resulting in restricted blood flow to the muscles in the lower legs and feet. A particular symptom of PAD is called intermittent claudication, which is a pain, cramp, or sense of fatigue in the leg muscles when you walk or exercise. Other symptoms are hair loss on the legs and feet, numbness or weakness, and slow-growing toenails. Leg ulcers, skin color changes, and shiny skin are other signs. PAD is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits accumulate within arterial walls, narrowing the vessels. Contributing factors to peripheral artery disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and aging. Seeking help from a podiatrist is essential for an accurate diagnosis through physical examination and tests like the ankle brachial pressure index, or ABPI. Treatment involves lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, smoking cessation, and maintaining a healthy diet. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be needed to improve blood flow and alleviate symptoms. For help in determining whether you have peripheral artery disease that is affecting your foot health, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, 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.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

  • Claudication (leg pain from walking)
  • Numbness in legs
  • Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
  • Paleness of the skin
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
  • Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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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Tuesday, 16 April 2024 00:00

Venous Ulcer Care

Venous ulcers are open sores that often occur on lower legs and feet, due to poor blood circulation. Symptoms of venous ulcers include pain, swelling, and discolored or hardened skin around the ulcer. Podiatrists, or foot doctors, can help care for venous ulcers by offering treatments aimed at healing the wound, preventing infection, and improving circulation. This may involve cleaning and dressing the ulcer and prescribing compression therapy to reduce swelling and enhance blood flow. There may also be suggested lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and elevating the legs to improve circulation. If you are struggling with wounds on the lower legs or feet it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to get treatment and prevent future ulcers.

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 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.

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 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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Friday, 12 April 2024 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 09 April 2024 00:00

Managing Clubfoot

Clubfoot is a birth defect that affects approximately one in 1,000 infants in the United States. Features of clubfoot include a high arch, inward rotation of the foot, pointed toes, and stiffness, often accompanied by a tight Achilles tendon. Although the precise cause of what is called idiopathic clubfoot remains elusive, genetic factors are presumed to be influential. Diagnosis typically occurs either prenatally through ultrasound or at birth when the foot is found to be rigid. The Ponseti method, named after Dr. Ignatio Ponseti, stands as a highly effective treatment approach, which involves casting, minimal surgery to the Achilles tendon, and bracing. This method has revolutionized clubfoot management, offering an optimistic prognosis for affected children. With early intervention and consistent adherence to the Ponseti method, children with clubfoot can anticipate restored foot function. They can become active in sports and wear regular shoes. For parents confronted with the diagnosis of clubfoot in their child, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can suggest treatment options. 

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

  • Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
  • Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
  • Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
  • Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
  • Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
  • Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

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Published in Blog
Tuesday, 02 April 2024 00:00

Pain in the Ball of the Foot

A common overuse injury that brings about pain in the ball of the foot, termed meta-tarsalgia, typically concentrates at the end of the metatarsal bones. This type of foot pain can significantly hinder daily activities like walking or running. Contributing factors to metatarsal pain include high activity levels, excess weight, and age. Tight toe muscles, a tight Achilles tendon, and wearing ill-fitting footwear can make this condition worse. Treatment involves various measures, such as avoiding high-impact sports and incorporating supportive footwear with insoles or metatarsal pads. Additionally, exercises to improve ankle mobility and stretch the Achilles tendon can offer relief. Recognizing symptoms early, especially increased pain during weight-bearing activities, is important for prompt intervention. If you have persistent and worsening pain in the ball of the foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

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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