Items filtered by date: October 2023

Nighttime foot cramps are a common and disruptive issue, affecting up to 60 percent of adults. They can be caused by inactivity, poor posture, and sleeping positions that restrict blood flow and compress nerves. Overexerting foot muscles through excessive activity or fatigue can lead to muscle cramping, as can wearing improper footwear or working on hard surfaces. Dehydration, often from inadequate water intake or illness, can result in foot muscle cramps due to electrolyte imbalances. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins B-12, thiamin, folate, magnesium, and potassium, can lead to nerve damage and cause cramps. Excessive alcohol use may cause nerve damage and alcoholic neuropathy that may contribute to foot cramps. Pregnancy, especially in the later stages, can bring on leg and foot cramps, possibly due to increased weight and nutritional deficiencies. Certain health conditions like peripheral arterial disease, kidney disease, anemia, and diabetes can also be associated with nighttime foot cramps. If your foot cramps occur frequently and do not improve even after making adjustments to your routine, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. This specialist in foot and ankle care can perform a thorough evaluation, provide you with a proper diagnosis, and recommend treatment options to alleviate your discomfort. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor 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 Owings Mills, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are five main categories of running shoes that vary and fit with different running endeavors. First, there are spikes, designed for sprinting on tracks or cross-country courses. These lightweight shoes are known for their stiff plastic or metal spikes and minimal cushioning, offering superb traction for track workouts and actual racing events. Racing flats are tailored for road races and are available in a range of cushioning options, catering to different race distances. They are lighter and tend to be stiffer than training shoes, making them ideal for racing, although not for everyday training due to their minimal build. Lightweight trainers can add speed to a running routine and are good for sprints, tempo runs, and intervals because they are lightweight and flexible. Daily trainers are the workhorses of a running shoe collection. These shoes are generally moderately cushioned and built with durability in mind. They are the most comfortable choice for most types of runs, including easy runs, long runs, and recovery runs. Lastly, trail shoes are designed for off-road running, where rocks, roots, mud, and uneven surfaces can be encountered. These shoes vary widely, from lightly cushioned models resembling racing flats to bulkier options that resemble hiking boots. Their common features include enhanced tread, rock plates to protect against sharp objects, and reinforced uppers to withstand rugged terrains. If you are a runner and plan to run on different surfaces and under varied conditions, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. This type of doctor is able to discuss the types of running shoes to include in your assortment that can help to ensure your best comfort and performance.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

If left untreated, corns on the feet can lead to various complications. Corns are thickened areas of skin caused by friction and pressure, which can become painful and result in infections. This can happen when bacteria enter through cracks in the skin or if the corn is cut or punctured. Infections can lead to more serious problems, including septic arthritis or infection of nearby bone tissue. Corns left untreated can also trigger severe pain, causing individuals to alter their posture. This can affect how pressure is distributed while walking. Individuals with diabetes may have reduced sensation in their feet due to nerve damage. This means they might not notice small cuts or corns. If corns are left untreated in people with diabetes, it can lead to complications like those previously mentioned, in addition to tissue death known as gangrene. To prevent these complications, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to seek treatment if corns become painful. This foot expert can provide proper care to help avoid serious complications from corns.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can greatly improve the quality of life for anyone with ankle pain and discomfort. This procedure involves making small cuts around the ankle and looking inside the incisions with an arthroscope to identify and correct issues. Recovery time can vary from person to person, but generally, patients can expect a few weeks to a couple of months for a full recovery. The first week or two may involve some discomfort and limited mobility. Most patients can resume driving within a few weeks after surgery, but it's important to consult with your podiatrist beforehand. Returning to work and sports activities may take longer, often between four to eight weeks or more, depending on the nature of your job or the intensity of your sport.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous tissue in the foot that helps maintain the arch. Plantar fibromas typically affect the medial and central bands of the plantar fascia. This condition, also known as Ledderhose disease, is rare and is characterized by the formation of nodules on the plantar fascia of the foot. It is more common in middle-aged men and can be associated with other fibrous tissue disorders. These nodules can cause pain and even disability. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, but imaging tests such as an MRI and ultrasound can be helpful. Treatment options include conservative measures and surgical intervention. Symptoms include slow growing nodules on the arch of the foot, which can become painful and affect walking. Physical examination is essential for diagnosis, and imaging can confirm the condition. Conservative treatments include steroid injections, oral medications, radiation therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. These aim to reduce pain and nodule size. Surgical options may be considered for pain relief, but recurrence is possible. If you are suffering from any sort of foot pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper evaluation and individualized treatment.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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