Metatarsal pain, known as metatarsalgia, occurs in the ball of the foot where long bones of the foot absorb body weight during standing and walking. People often notice burning, sharp, or aching discomfort beneath the toes, sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling, or a feeling of walking on a stone. Symptoms worsen with activity, standing, or tight footwear. Causes of metatarsal pain include repetitive impact from sports, stress fractures, arthritis, and high arches. Toe deformities, such as hammertoes, and pressure shifts created by narrow or high heeled shoes are other factors. A podiatrist can perform a biomechanical examination, evaluate gait patterns, order imaging, and provide care that redistributes pressure and treats the disorder to prevent progression and complications. If you have pain in the ball of the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and ongoing treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that commonly affects the feet first because the longest nerves are most vulnerable to damage. It often develops in both feet and may cause tingling, burning, sharp shooting pain, or unusual sensitivity. As the peripheral neuropathy progresses, painful sensations may lessen and be replaced by numbness, weakness, or a persistent cold feeling, which reduces the body’s natural warning system. People may not notice injuries, pressure areas, or skin breakdown, which increases the risk of infection and structural problems. A podiatrist performs detailed neurological and vascular examinations, evaluates muscle strength and foot structure, and tests sensation with specialized instruments. Diagnostic studies may be recommended to measure nerve function and determine severity. Treatment options include protective care, pressure relief strategies, medical management of complications, and ongoing monitoring to prevent ulcers or deformity. If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

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 one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body regulates blood sugar and can lead to reduced circulation and nerve damage in the feet. One serious complication is a diabetic foot ulcer, which is an open wound that may develop due to pressure, injury, or unnoticed trauma. Proper care is essential to prevent infection and further damage. Treatment often includes carefully cleaning and disinfecting the wound, performing debridement to remove unhealthy tissue, and taking pressure off the foot to allow healing. Ongoing monitoring is critical for recovery. A podiatrist plays a key role by managing wound care, addressing pressure points, and guiding prevention strategies. If you have diabetes or notice a wound on your foot that is not healing properly, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you manage this serious condition. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Flat feet, called fallen arches, describe a foot structure where the medial arch is low or absent, allowing much of the sole to contact the ground. There are several types of flat feet, including flexible flat feet, the most common form. In this type, an arch may appear when the foot is not bearing weight but flattens during standing or walking. Rigid flat feet, which are less common, occur when an arch does not form at any time. This is often due to bone structure. Another type is acquired adult flatfoot, which develops later in life after normal arches were present. Flat feet can be linked to neurological conditions, inflammatory joint disease, or prior injury. A podiatrist can evaluate foot structure, assess gait, and determine treatment,  including custom orthotics. For help with foot pain caused by flat feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.