OUCH! GOUT!

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the big toe joint. Men are more likely to be affected by gout; however, anyone can be affected. The pain can be intense enough to wake you up in the middle of the night. Gout is caused by an increase in uric acid in your blood, which causes urate crystals to deposit in the joint. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — substances that are found naturally in your body, as well as in certain foods, such as organ meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms. Gout can be controlled with changing eating habits or oral medication. At FAMILYFOOT CARE we can help relieve your pain from a gout attack, and point you in the right direction to decrease these attacks. Call us to schedule your appointment today. We have three convenient locations to serve you.

1022 Lee Ann Drive Concord, NC 28025 704-786-4482

6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-5558

209 Town Center Drive Locust, NC 28097 704-897-6081

BUNCHED UP SOCK?

Have you ever felt like your sock was bunched up in your shoe, but it wasn’t? That could be a symptom of a neuroma. Other symptoms of a neuroma may include burning pain or numbness in the ball of the foot. A neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue as a result of compression and irritation. Wearing shoes with a narrow toe box or high-heeled shoes can contribute to the formation of a neuroma. The symptoms may come and go, but usually get worse over time as the neuroma enlarges. Neuromas can be treated conservatively with padding, icing, or activity modifications. The best time to visit a podiatrist is when the symptoms first start. Often times the treatment is less invasive, if caught early enough.

At FAMILY FOOTCARE we can offer many different treatment modalities to help relieve your neuroma pain. Call us to schedule your appointment today. We have three convenient locations to serve you.

1022 Lee Ann Drive Concord, NC 28025 704-786-4482

6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-5558

209 Town Center Drive Locust, NC 28097 704-897-6081

CURLY TOES

Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are deformities of the joints of the toes.  Contracted digits are caused by a muscle and tendon imbalance in the foot, arthritis, or constantly wearing ill-fitting shoes. Some people have a predisposition to develop hammer toes due to the structure of their feet. Women are more likely to develop hammer toes due to shoe gear. Over time the toes can become rigidly contracted and be painful in shoes. The toes can also develop calluses over the joint, which increase the risk for ulcers in the callused areas. There are conservative methods for treating hammer toes, such as splinting the toes or surgical methods to correct the deformity.

Padding in shoes, splinting the toes, or purchasing extra depth shoes can help alleviate some of the pain from hammer toes. If surgical intervention is required, it should be done by a foot and ankle specialist, such as a podiatrist. The physicians at FAMILY FOOT CARE can evaluate your feet and determine the best course of action to alleviate your pain. There are 2 convenient locations to serve you 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord and 6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg. 704-786-4482

Hint: You should have your feet measured at least once a year to make sure you are wearing the correct shoe size.

BRITTLE, DISCOLORED NAILS?

Have you noticed over time you toenails becoming thickened or changing colors?
Onychomycosis, or fungal nails is a fungal infection which can affect the condition of your nails.  In normal, healthy people, fungal nails are most commonly caused by fungus that is caught from moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those at a gym, or swimming pools are common sources. You are also at a higher risk if you get pedicures with equipment that has not been properly disinfected after use on another person. Some symptoms that you may have fungal nails are: brittle, crumbly nails; debris trapped under the nail; lifting of the nail; thickening or color changes in the nail.

There are many treatment options for fungal nails, ranging from topical drops and lacquers to oral antifungal medication. You need to be evaluated by a physician to have the definitive diagnosis of nail fungus. A physician can take samples of the nail and send it off to a lab to determine if the nail is infected or not. A physician can also prescribe the proper medication to best treat the fungus. Call FAMILY FOOT CARE at 704-786-4482 to schedule an appointment today.  We can evaluate your nails and recommend the best course of treatment for you. We are located at 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord and 6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg.

Hint: Do not walk barefoot on communal surfaces.

LUMPY SHOES?

Bunions are often one of the major causes of foot pain. A family history, or many years of wearing ill-fitting shoes could leave you with a large lump on the side of your foot, and protruding into your shoes. A bunion deformity occurs when there is a muscle imbalance in the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Over time what starts as a small bump can get larger, and develop into your toes crossing over each other. Sometimes bunion pain can be relieved with conservative measures, such as padding the area, orthotics, or buying wider shoes. More severe or painful cases generally need surgical intervention.

If your bunion continues to hurt, you need an evaluation by an experienced podiatrist to determine the best course of action. Sometimes it’s best to tackle the problem before it gets worse. At FAMILYFOOT CARE we can offer both conservative and surgical intervention to help your feet feel better, and ease your pain. Call us at 704-786-4482 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. We have two locations to serve you: 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord and 6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg.

Hint: Ensure you shoes fit your feet properly.

CLUBFOOT

Clubfoot is a birth defect. A downward pointing and inward twisting of the foot characterizes clubfoot. One or both feet may be involved. Typically, a physical examination can be sufficient to diagnose clubfoot, although X-rays may be recommended as well.
Since clubfoot will not resolve itself, treatment is necessary. Due to the flexibility of the ligaments and tendons of the feet at this time, the sooner the treatment starts, the better the results. A dual approach of manipulation and casting is common for treating clubfoot during the first three months of life. Even if successfully addressed, daily and nightly bracing will be necessary for a period of time since clubfoot has a natural tendency to recur.

For additional questions please contact:
Dr. Kevin McDonald at 704 -786-4482 or visit at http://www.familyfootcare.info/