How Does A Podiatrist Treat Ingrown Toenails?

If you are reading this, then the chances are you are struggling with an ingrown toenail or another painful nail condition and are considering nail surgery as a solution. Our Podiatrists at Pioneer Podiatry often see and treat people suffering from problematic nails.

It is essential to have your toenail examined by a fully qualified podiatrist to determine the cause of your nail condition and advise on the best treatment. Sometimes the issue can be addressed with minor intervention, but often, ingrown toenails and some other nail conditions are best resolved by nail surgery, involving a partial or complete nail extraction.

There are a few things you can do to lower your risk of getting an ingrown nail.

• Trim your nails often – and correctly. Trim your toenails straight across with a proper toenail trimmer.

• Wear proper footwear. That means staying away from pointy-toed high heels and overly-tight hosiery. Your toes need enough room to wiggle comfortably in your socks and shoes.

• See your podiatrist. If you experience pain, swelling, or any unusual symptoms in your feet or toes, seek help from a qualified, experienced podiatrist.

Why Is Your Gait So Important?

Your gait is also known as the way that you walk and run. Even if you’re able to run with no problems, your gait could still be off, which could put you at a greater risk of experiencing an injury.

When you get a gait analysis, we look at your form as you walk and run. If there are any motions that aren’t quite correct, we can provide training exercises that can strengthen weak muscles and make you a stronger runner and lessen your risk of injury.

Prevention of Gait Disorders

Primary prevention: High levels of physical activity have been shown to help maintain mobility, even in patients with the disease.

Secondary prevention: Exercise has improved gait and measures of mobility in short and long-term trials.

A regular walking program of 30 minutes/day is the best single activity for maintaining mobility; however, walking does not increase strength in a person who is weak. A safe walking course should be recommended, but including hills can help maintain leg strength. The use of walking sticks that are adjustable or canes can provide confidence and safety for older adults.

Prevention also includes resistance and balance training. The effects of an active lifestyle on mood and confidence are probably as important as their effect on physiology.

Is it worth getting a gait analysis?

The resounding answer to whether it’s worth getting your gait analyzed is YES, particularly if you're new to running or are dealing with any running injuries. It will improve your running comfort and reduce your risk of injury. It will also help considerably when choosing your new running shoes, as you can take your foot shape, the terrain you’re running on, and your pronation into consideration.

Our Mackay office is open to help you! Give us a call at (07) 49425016.  You can also fill out our online contact form and a member of our staff will reach out to you.

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Can Cold Temperatures Cause Foot Pain?

Winter is coming and the cold temperature can cause the tissues in your joints to contract and pull on the nerve endings, causing joint pain.

Don’t neglect your feet during winter.

It’s easy to forget about those feet when they’re covered by socks and shoes over the winter. Minimize the risk of foot problems by taking the right cold-weather precautions. A foot care specialist can help develop a routine that protects feet from the threats of winter weather.
Although having occasional cold feet is normal, there are some instances when a visit to the doctor may be necessary. Persistent symptoms may be something to discuss with a doctor, but treating the underlying cause should help the feet return to a better temperature.

Anyone who experiences cold feet frequently or for no obvious reason should speak to their doctor about possible causes. Like if the feet feel cold internally, but the skin does not feel cold to the touch, a person should see a doctor, as this may be a sign of nerve damage or other neurological conditions.

If your heel pain has been persistent during winter, don’t waste any more time hoping that it gets better on its own. Our Mackay office is open to help you! Give us a call at (07) 49425016. You can also fill out our online contact form and a member of our staff will reach out to you.

Our trusted Podiatrist provides a wide range of foot care services to help achieve and maintain foot health all year round. While correcting and treating existing issues, we also advise precautions that align individual lifestyle and overall health.