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Laser therapy being used to treat fungal toenails in a podiatry clinic.
7Sep

Laser therapy being used to treat fungal toenails in a podiatry clinic.

Laser fungus treatment is effective with no risk of toxicity to the liver or side effects due to medication interaction.  There has been clinical evidence that laser treatment improves the condition of severe fungus toenail infections and clears the infection. Toenail fungus infections lie under the nail; this poses a challenge to get rid of the fungus using topical medications. Oral medications and antifungal nail polish are associated with harmful drug interactions and side effects because of persistent fungus infections. Home remedies also improve the condition for some time, then it reoccurs. The laser fungus treatment is known to penetrate through the nail to destroy the fungus without damaging the tissue around the nail.

Several studies conducted over the use of the laser to treat nail fungus have led manufacturers to improve their laser design to better their equipment and maximize the therapeutic effects.

Advantages of laser treatment for toenail fungus

  • The laser treatment cures different fungal infections
  • No anesthesia
  • The procedure is safe and painless, but some people feel a warm sensation
  • No side effects and no drugs are needed
  • No recovery time needed – you will walk out after the treatment
  • It takes about 20 minutes for a podiatrist to administer the treatment
  • The treatment does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin

How is the laser toenail treatment administered?

Studies have shown that laser toenail treatment has over a ninety percent success rate. These depend on the use of the latest generation laser equipment and how long the treatment is administered. To eradicate the fungus, it is a requirement that a patient attends repeat visits for over 3 months. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes to be administered, over a 30day interval for three months. This administration has proven to be very effective in healing even severe cases of fungal toenail infection.

Most cases have proven to improve with a single treatment. Even with laser treatment, it is essential to maintain proper post-treatment care to avoid the fungus attacking again.

How long after treatment does one notice the improvement of the toenails?

It depends on the origin of the infection, but as early as three weeks, one can notice the improvement of the nails. From then on, the improvement is gradual until the nail grows out. It takes 9-12 months for the toenails to grow out.

Is it safe to apply nail polish?

The day before the treatment, remove all nail decorations and nail polish. After the treatment, you can apply nail polish without fear of any side effects.

Laser fungal toenail treatment has several advantages over other treatments that have limited success rates. If you have questions about fungus in your toenails, you should reach out to a foot and ankle specialist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston foot specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

Dr. Ejodamen B Shobowale, DPM, smiling in a white coat at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center.
19Apr

Modern medDr. Ejodamen B Shobowale, DPM, smiling in a white coat at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. icine is attractive; there is a specialist for every part of the body. The feet are not an exception and you need a podiatrist to keep them fully functional.  If you are certain of what you want, seek a specialist for your foot issues. Podiatrists are masters who deal with problems affecting lower legs and the feet. Foot injuries and conditions vary; some podiatrists specialize in sports injury, biomechanical, surgery among other conditions while others specialize in more than one condition. Podiatric medical schools are responsible for training, followed by years of residency training. Podiatrists prescribe drugs, do surgeries, order lab tests, reset broken bones and order x-rays.

If you are looking for some expert advice on foot and ankle issues, you may want to seek help from the best podiatrist in Houston. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our Houston foot doctor. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet

What to consider when choosing a  podiatrist.

Experience

Find one who specializes in medical and surgical services if you need, both administrations in your foot issues. An experienced podiatry expert comes up with the best diagnosis and the right treatment choices for foot pains and conditions. It’s critical to check how long they have been in the industry. A few conditions are intricate you need a specialist who can treat complex issues of the feet and one who has the right treatment approach.

Look for references

Get your friends, family members, and relatives to seek reviews of an experienced podiatrist in Houston. The best individual to tell would be one who has endured foot pain or foot injury. The numerous opinions you seek the better for you to compare and decide on the best.

Should emphasize the significance of orthotics

The best podiatrists understand the importance of orthotics. This is because they correct various foot conditions before they become complex. Proper utilization of proper shoe inserts can deal with plantar fasciitis.

Convenience

There are a few interesting points when searching for a podiatrist who will work with you. Part of getting the right treatment depends on if the doctors working hours fit your schedule and do they accept your health insurance. You need to spare each penny in your pocket and getting specialist who acknowledges your medical coverage is vital. Where is the doctor located? Is it accessible by you?

Existing medical condition

Some ailments most likely cause foot conditions. Settle for a foot doctor who is familiar with foot complications that come from pre-existing conditions such as diabetes.

Why do you need to see a podiatrist?

  1. If you start running regularly, have your feet assessed to get recommendations for the right athletic shoe.
  2. If you notice peeling or scaling of the feet.
  3. III. When you experience joint pain in the ankles, heels, and feet, especially if they are red, delicate, swollen or tender and they limit daily activities.
  4. If you are diabetic, you are susceptible to foot problems. Make a podiatrist visits part of your health care routine to avoid complications which can result in amputation.
  5. If you have discolored or thick, or stubborn ingrown toenails.
  6. If you suspect you might have suffered a broken bone, sprain or strain.
  7. VII. If you have wart-like growths
  8. VIII. If you have a callus or corns that are bothersome.
  9. If you notice cuts or cracks on the skin.
  10. If you have athlete’s foot that doesn’t improve after some.

What to expect on your visit to the Houston foot doctor?

The principal visit resembles other specialist’s visit, the podiatrist will ask questions about medical history; mention medications you are on and medical procedures you have undergone.

Assessment of your walk, stand, range of motion and your shoe fit. A podiatrist treats ingrown toenails, bunions, lower back pain, heel pain, foot deformities and blood circulation to your feet for diabetic patients. The podiatrist can recommend physical therapy, orthotics or padding.

Most importantly, choose a podiatrist you are comfortable with. The feet are a very important part of your body. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Houston, TX. Our Houston foot specialist can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We offer the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot and ankle related issues.

Illustration of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in feet.
23Feb

foot arthritisThe inflammation of one or more joints causes pain and stiffness common in arthritis in foot. Many forms of arthritis that affect the foot, making it difficult to enjoy activities such as walking. The foot has more than 30 joints and 28 bones which allow movement. The joints are covered with articulate cartilage, which helps the bones to glide over each other, a thin lining surrounding the joints that produce a lubricant fluid to reduce friction. Studies have shown great connections between foot alignment, hip, and knee. Hip osteoarthritis is common among high arched feet people while knee osteoarthritis is common with flat-footed people. With proper treatment, it is possible to lead a fulfilling and active life.

Psoriatic arthritis

This is the inflammation of the tendons and ligaments attached to the bones, causing foot joint pain especially the toes. They cause sausage-like swelling. The irritation happens in the tissue that connects the heel bone and toes, which cause pain when rubbed or pressed on other bones.

Symptoms

  • Heel pain that is easily confused with the Achilles tendon.
  • Swelling of the toes.
  • Stiff ankles and feet.
  • Overextended big toe
  • Painful calluses and sore joints.
  • Bending toes looking shorter like claws.
  • The skin around the affected joints turns purplish.
  • Flattening arch which leads to rolling of the foot inward while walking or standing.
  • The tendency of joints to lock and limit the range of motion.
  • Foot swelling.
  • Difficulty and pain while walking after a long period of rest or in the morning.

Maintain mobility by taking physiotherapy or wearing shoes that do not pinch and bind areas of inflammation. Take foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber such as oatmeal, beans, and brown rice, and take green tea to reduce inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis feet

Joint inflammation in multiple joints of the feet and hands is a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. It is considered symmetrical because it affects the same joints on both sides of the body and it is autoimmune. This means that the immune system attacks its tissues such as the thin lining covering the joints causing them to swell. The lining, in turn, attacks cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones leading to disability and deformity.

Over 85% of patients report painful ankles and feet, causing instability in hindfoot causing deformation of the forefoot. Correcting the plantar stabilizes the ankle and foot, reducing foot deformities and walking disabilities.

The function of footwear in arthritis in feet

Footwear is an effective strategy to improve the function of the feet and reduce pain in arthritis. Women are at greater risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis while the use of high heels shoes has been implicated. Contrary to belief, high heeled shoes do not promote joint degeneration, though they have been associated with the development of foot pain. Arthritis in the foot is prevalent in older people and it increases with age. High heels, slippers, and sandals are poor shoes that cause foot pain in later years, it is advisable to wear average shoes. Poor shoes contribute to poor foot alignment and development.

The foot pain has a modifiable factor, especially if it affects the extremity joint alignment, though little focus is made on foot interventions. Footwear and orthotics interventions are important in foot health. Biomechanical evidence indicates that footwear plays a significant role in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the foot, knee, and hip and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A running shoe-shaped toe rocker sole reduces foot joint pain by decreasing forefoot loading by promoting a normal heel-toe rolling. Custom made foot orthotics reduce pain, increase stride length and steps. Specialized footwear reduces is an effective non-surgical intervention for the feet affected by arthritis.

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

Close-up of red, sore heels indicating running injury or plantar fasciitis.
4Feb

What Causes Running Injuries?

More than fifty percent of runners suffer from an injury every year. Every elite runner knows that being sidelined for running injuries, especially heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, and the plantar fasciitis, is disappointing. People think running injuries occur because they increased the distance or intensity, or they did not stretch before and after running among other reasons. Some of these reasons aggravate an already underlying problem.

Most injuries are due to biochemical imbalance which causes the breakdown of the body due to subjective repetitive load causes. Biochemical imbalances cause muscle weakness and other imbalances that cause running injuries include

foot pain

Muscle Flexibility Imbalances

A tight muscle is a common reason for a running injury. It is very possible to do a few stretches and get back running without pain. Simple, right! No, it’s not because the stretches help you re-align a muscle or tissue and you are back running again. The main question is what was the cause of the tight muscle? First, you need to find out why the muscle is overworking or tightening because stretching is a temporal solution. A tight hamstring may be as a result of weak abdominal muscles or glute muscle. These might be forcing the hamstring to compensate and with a few stretches you do not solve the weak abs or glutes and the problem might recur.

Soft Tissue Imbalances

This is complex, but changes in muscle tension can trigger points of fascia tightness. Muscle tension affects how the body functions, but with regular massage, the muscles relax.

Structural Imbalances

The body is not perfectly symmetrical; that is the right side of the body is not the same as the left side. People who cope well have minor asymmetries of the body depending on the number of differences. Others have severe structural imbalances that need more attention to avoid overstraining causing injuries from time to time.  

Muscle Strength Imbalances

For optimal functioning of the body, a balance between the inside and outside, the right and left side, the bottom and top, and the front and back of the body should be maintained. If the muscles of the right leg are weaker the muscles of the left leg will have difficulties. Unfortunately, there is never enough exercise to strengthen your muscles as you would expect. It is important to note that every joint in your body is affected when you work on one muscle. Effective muscle exercises need to be tailored individually for running purposes.

Some common running injuries include

Plantar fasciitis

This is an irritation of the fibrous tissue at the base of the heel due to forced strain on the plantar fascia. One experiences an arch pain or heel pain and the foot hurts with every step making running very difficult. This injury is common with runners who have very low or very high arches because the plantar fascia is forced to stretch. The pain caused by plantar fasciitis can continue for months and even years before completely healing so it should be treated as soon as possible.

Achilles tendon pain

The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon connecting the back of the heel and calf muscles. The Achilles tendon injury is the painful inflammation of the tendon. The pain is common in the morning or with activity. Avoid training amidst this injury because the pain will eventually hinder the ability to jog lightly. Runners who have tight, weak calves are vulnerable to this injury.

Choosing the right running shoe is one of the protective ways in which runners can safeguard themselves from injuries. Correct your biomechanics to decrease the probability of injuries.

Close-up of a person's foot with healthy skin and toenails.
4Dec

 

With the onset of winter months, diabetes patients should take special care of their feet. It is known that diabetes patients are prone to poor blood circulation along with some nerve problems. They should take decision depending on the changes they notice. Without delay, it is better to consult a doctor to get a suitable treatment and maintaining your feet during the winter days. Read the following part to know better about how patients should maintain foot health during winter days.

coldfootcare

Keeping dry feet

Rain or snow can make your feet damp. The moisture collected from socks, toes and feet can result in bacteria that further leads to infection. Therefore, patients suffering from diabetes should frequently change their socks and rub feet with dry towel to prevent the infection problem. Also, they should pay attention to the place in between the toes. 

Maintaining moisturized feet

If you are keeping shoes dry to prevent bacteria formation, keeping your feet dry is also important. By moisturizing your feet, your feet will remain smooth. This shall reduce the risk of cracking that further results into wound. In this case, you can take suggestion from your doctor to get the right foot lotion that shall help to keep it moisturized. It is recommended to use it after bathing to prevent feet dryness.

Avoid direct heat contact to your feet

To reduce the problem of dryness of your feet and chance of feet burning, turn to keep it away from direct heat exposure. As diabetes can cause nerve damage in your feet, it may not be possible to keep your feet warm during winter months. Also, direct hot water on should not be used on diabetic feet. Instead, they should check the temperature of water before using it. Also, they should prevent use of warm items such as electric blankets, heating pads, heated shoe inserts and the like.

Choosing the right shoes

Though choosing the right winter shoe may seem to be a daunting task. But with diabetes choosing the perfect pair shall help keep your feet in good condition. The wrong shoe can make your feet even worse making it too dry during the cold weather. 

Opt for periodic foot checkup from surgeon

By going through periodic check from foot and ankle surgeon, it will be easy to prevent foot issues. A regular checkup from foot and ankle surgeon shall help to prevent the chances of foot issues. Therefore, with suitable foot care from a diabetic foot doctor, diabetes patients can reduce the chances of different foot problems. With regular visits, you can keep an eye on any changes that you notice in your feet. Thus, with the suitable treatment, the doctor can help to keep your feet in good condition even during cold weather.

Wrapping it up

Meeting a foot and ankle surgeon shall be of immense help for diabetes patients to keep your feet safe. Inside of remaining inside your home all winter, it is better to consult your doctor in advance for the right guidance.

Doctor treating a foot wart with a cotton swab at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center.
7Nov

The popular tale that you must have heard from grandmothers is that the toads give you warts. This is nothing but a tale and the real story to cure wart on foot is far more complicated than that. Warts appear on the skin on the attack of a virus. This gets specifically seen in the areas that have broken skin like the areas on the side on the sides of nails or the skin picked by shaving. The thing that is still largely unknown is why and how certain people are more susceptible than others when it comes to getting warts. The general belief that exists is that children having weaker immune system compared to the adults are more prone than the adults in the matters of getting warts.

warts

The spread of warts on feet

In the matter of treatment of warts, you must know they are contagious in nature. They can spread from one part of the body to another. This is the prime reason why you are advised to wash your hands well after you have touched a wart. Never pick or scratch warts because even that can lead to it spreading to other parts. If you shave on the part that has warts, the virus gets transferred to the razor and eventually to other parts of the body. 

The plantar wart treatment experts will tell you that one can get warts from touching the body of someone else too. So if you see that someone close to you has warts, you need to refrain not just from touching that area of the person but also take care about not using any of his things like bathmats or towels.

The prevention of warts

There is no full-proof way to prevent the coming of or cure warts. You can take certain precautions that can minimize the risks. Make sure that you keep your skin moisturized, healthy and free from any kind of cuts as a plantar wart removalprocess. If you are someone who has the habit of biting the nails or cuticles, then it is best to stop as these are the most likely places for the development of warts. Use fresh and clean towels wherever you go and ensure that your hands are always clean and washed. When you are going to places like gyms or public toilets, make sure that your feet stay covered with sandals or flip-flops at all times to stem the growth of wart on foot. 

Wart treatment at home and clinics

The doctors take any one of the two approaches. They either burn it off or use liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin of the wart. The home remedies that are popular in treating warts is using things like apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to make the wart fall off on its own after a few days. Most warts are benign, and people prefer only to get them removed for cosmetic reasons. 

warts2

Baking powder and Vinegar

It is known as an age-old therapy that treats warts effectively. You can make a paste of baking powder along with vinegar to treat warts. Moreover, they have antibacterial properties which kill the germs present on the external surface of warts. On the other hand, you can also use tea tree oil as it is a popular option to get rid of warts.

It also keeps the area clean and moist which makes sure that the affected area is not dry. A dry area on the surface of a mole would always pose problems. It is so because a dry wart surface can create friction which may cause further pain.