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To maintain optimal foot health, men should incorporate care routines into their daily regimen. These practices are important for preventing common issues such as rough skin and nail problems. Regular moisturizing helps combat dryness and prevents calluses. Cleaning between the toes is important for preventing bacterial growth and conditions like athlete's foot. Proper footwear selection is also important, and this involves making sure shoes fit well and have soft padding to minimize friction and callus formation. Additionally, trimming toenails straight across and exfoliating feet regularly with a body scrub can help maintain overall foot health. Wearing sandals or shoes in communal areas like gyms and public showers is important to prevent fungal infections. Finally, incorporating body powder into the routine can aid in absorbing excess moisture and alleviating discomfort, particularly for those who lead active lifestyles. If you have persistent pain, skin issues, or an infection on your feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination and any treatment deemed necessary.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Diabetes raises the risk of foot ulcers, with a 40 percent five-year mortality rate. Limb salvage is preferred, but if a podiatrist finds that an amputation is necessary, partial-foot amputations, or PFAs, are preferred. PFAs offer better mobility and quality of life, but complications like re-ulceration persist. Assessing quality of life involves considering function and patient preferences. Shared decision-making integrates medical, psychological, and patient factors, which are critical for complex choices like limb salvage versus amputation. If you are a diabetic, it is strongly suggested that you make regular appointments with a podiatrist to have your feet routinely examined and problems dealt with as soon as possible. Preventing complications leading to limb-threatening conditions and improving quality of life is the goal.

Limb salvage can be an effective way in preventing the need for limb amputation. If you have diabetes, cancer, or any other condition that could lead to foot amputation if left unchecked, consult with Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Limb Salvage?

Limb salvage is the attempt of saving a limb, such as the foot from amputation. Podiatrists also try to make sure that there is enough function in the foot after the salvage that it is still usable. Diabetes is the number one cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Those with diabetes experience poor blood circulation, which prevents proper healing of an ulcer. If the ulcer is left uncheck, it could become infected, which could result in the need for amputation.

However, there are other causes as well, such as cancer and traumatic injury. Links between higher mortality rates and amputation have been found. This translates into higher healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life and mobility for amputees. Podiatrists have attempted to increase the prevalence of limb salvage in an attempt to solve these issues.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Limb salvage teams have grown in recent years that utilize a number of different treatments to save the infected limb. This includes podiatrists that specialize in wound care, rehabilitation, orthotics, and surgery. Through a combination of these methods, limb salvage has been found to be an effective treatment for infected limbs, and as an alternative to amputation. Podiatrists will first evaluate the potential for limb salvage and determine if the limb can be saved or must be amputated. 

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

Gout, a form of arthritis, affects the feet due to high uric acid levels. It is well-studied, with genetics playing a significant role. Symptoms can range from none to acute attacks and chronic conditions. Diagnosis involves tests and imaging, such as finding monosodium urate, or MSU, crystals in fluid, and advanced scans help to monitor it. Treatment includes managing flares, chronic issues, and preventing future attacks. Medication, lifestyle changes, and education are key. If you have gout and it is affecting the joints of your feet, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and advice in managing this painful condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

Cuboid syndrome is a foot condition in which the cuboid bone has been displaced due to stress on the foot. Someone with cuboid syndrome may experience pain on the outer side of the foot, particularly in the midfoot area, which can worsen with weight-bearing activities like walking or running. The patient’s foot may be swollen, tender to the touch, and difficult to stand on. Additionally, they might complain of discomfort or pain during sports and physical activity. Early recognition and intervention can help alleviate symptoms and prevent long-term complications, allowing patients to return to their normal activities. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested you seek medical attention from a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat the source of the pain. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Daily wear and tear can harm your toes, which are essential for balance and movement. Hammertoe is a toe problem where the middle joint bends upward, making the toe look like a hammer. Toes have muscles on top to stretch them and muscles underneath to bend them. Weak bottom muscles can lead to an upward bend at the middle joint, causing a hammertoe. This can hurt while walking and may affect balance. Symptoms include a bent toe that will not relax, swelling, corns, calluses, pain while walking, and changes in balance or walking style. Other toe issues like claw toes, mallet toes, and bunions exist, often alongside hammertoes. Risk factors include foot shape, medical conditions, like diabetes, arthritis, wrong shoes, and foot injuries. If you have a hammertoe that is causing discomfort, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Waxahachie, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, or BOS, manifests with distinctive symptoms that can affect the feet. This rare condition combines skin and bone abnormalities and is characterized by skin lesions and bone spots on the feet. Skin lesions result from connective tissue irregularities and appear as spots, while bone spots are painless areas of heightened bone density, detectable through X-rays. Symptoms usually begin in childhood, and although the skin lesions may progress with age, they typically do not lead to additional health concerns. However, in rare instances, BOS can advance to melorheostosis, causing abnormal bone growth, potentially resulting in bone pain and deformities within the feet. Diagnosis hinges on clinical examination, imaging studies, and genetic testing. If you have foot pain of any type, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM of Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and potential deformities. The feet can be affected, and this condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation triggered by RA can lead to joint damage over time, impacting various joints symmetrically. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, typically most pronounced in the mornings or after periods of inactivity. The affected joints may feel warm to the touch, and over time, individuals with RA may experience reduced joint function and mobility. Beyond joints, RA can affect other organs, leading to fatigue, fever, and weight loss. If you have RA, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can implement effective management strategies so relief can be found. 

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM of Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

Foot arch pain is often due to prolonged pressure on the feet. Muscles and tendons that support the arches can become fatigued, leading to discomfort, especially for those with an active lifestyle. The most frequent cause of foot arch pain is plantar fasciitis, marked by damage to the thick band of tissue under the foot. It typically develops from altered foot biomechanics, bone spurs, and muscle tightness. Foot cramps, which affect 25 percent of individuals who are 60 and older, contribute to sudden, intense muscle spasms and arch pain. Tarsal tunnel syndrome, though less common, results from pressure on the tibial nerve, causing inner arch pain, pins and needles, and numbness. Plantar fibromatosis involves small nodules in the plantar fascia, causing a firm lump in the arch and pain with pressure. Posterior tibial tendonitis, often the result of overuse during high-impact activities, leads to pain on the bottom of the foot. Stress fractures, commonly caused by repetitive overloading during high-impact activities, result in sharp arch pain with localized bruising and swelling. Additionally, flat feet, where arches collapse, are linked to foot arch pain as well as knee and back pain. Custom orthotics can alleviate discomfort from foot arch pain. For a solution to foot arch pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

Flat feet, a condition where the arches of the feet are significantly reduced or absent, can cause discomfort and limit mobility for some individuals. While many cases of flat feet can be managed with conservative treatments like orthotics, exercises, and supportive footwear, there are situations where surgery becomes a viable option. Surgical intervention for flat feet typically aims to reconstruct and restore the arches of the feet, improving overall foot function and alleviating pain. This procedure is known as flatfoot reconstruction surgery. Podiatric surgeons may employ various techniques, such as tendon transfers, bone realignment, or the use of implants to achieve the desired results. Candidates for flatfoot surgery often include people who experience severe pain, difficulty in walking, or whose flat feet result from structural abnormalities. If you suspect you may need flatfoot surgery, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss whether this is a correct option for you.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Jeffrey Parrett, DPM from Parrett Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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