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Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which one or more nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. This often affects the lower limbs and may involve multiple nerves (polyneuropathy) or only one nerve (mononeuropathy). A single nerve may be damaged due to a sudden injury, prolonged pressure on the nerve, a local compression, or inflammation. Multiple nerves may be damaged due to systemic diseases, such as diabetes. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the lower limbs include numbness, prickling, or tingling in the toes, burning, freezing, throbbing, or shooting pains, sensitivity to touch, and muscle weakness. If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in your feet or ankles, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

A broken ankle can be complex—involving all three bones of the ankle (talus, fibula, and tibia)—or simple when just one of these bones breaks. You may be experiencing a broken ankle if you have pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising in the area. In more severe breaks, your ankle may be misshapen or a bone may be protruding. The manner of treatment your podiatrist takes to heal your broken ankle depends on the complexity and nature of the break as well as where it occurs. They may be able to help treat your ankle by icing it, stabilizing it with a cast, splint, or boot, and by instructing you to keep weight off of it for a period of time to allow it to heal on its own. In some cases, a surgical intervention may be necessary to properly realign the ankle and repair damaged bones. It is important to seek the care of a podiatrist if you suspect that your ankle is broken so it can heal properly, and to avoid a worsening condition or infection from developing. 

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

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

Verrucae, also known as plantar warts, grow on the sole of the foot because of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This HPV virus that is usually the cause of plantar warts is contagious and thrives in warm moist environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors or community shower areas. Plantar warts will appear as a small growth with a tiny black dot in the center, and they can be painful when pinching the spot. These warts can grow up to a centimeter in diameter and may form into a cluster of multiple warts. Verrucae can be very painful, particularly when applying pressure on the foot. Patients who are struggling with a painful plantar wart should consult with a podiatrist to determine potential treatment and removal options.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. 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 Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.