Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail typically characterized by a thickening and discoloration of the nail, a separation of the nail from its bed, pain, and even permanent damage to the nail in severe cases. Because onychomycosis can be difficult to cure and is prone to reoccur, home remedies are typically ineffective, as are many topical and oral antifungal medications. Laser therapy treatments to eradicate toenail fungus have proved to be successful in many patients. This technology utilizes pulses of energy to create precisely targeted heat that kills the fungus living in the nail bed (under the toenail) and prevents it from growing back. The FDA has approved several types of laser devices for the treatment of onychomycosis. If you have a toenail fungus, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to see if you might be a good candidate for Laser therapy treatment.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lexington Foot and Ankle Center, PSC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Lexington, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Millions of people seek relief from plantar fasciitis every year. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band of tissue that attaches to the heel bone and runs along the bottom of the foot, fanning out and attaching to the long metatarsal bones in the forefoot. While walking or running the plantar fascia contracts and stretches. This repetitive pressure on the plantar fascia can cause tiny micro-tears and inflammation to develop at the site where the tissue attaches to the heel bone. Pain associated with plantar fasciitis is usually worse in the morning, when the plantar fascia is stretched suddenly after it has been in a relaxed and shortened state during sleeping hours. Podiatrists treat patients with plantar fasciitis very frequently and have developed many successful treatment protocols to reduce pain and inflammation caused by this common disorder. If you are suffering from heel pain, contact a podiatrist near you to have your condition properly diagnosed and treated.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Lexington Foot and Ankle Center, PSC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Lexington, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A corn is a hard, yellowed bump or lump just under the skin of the toe or foot. It often develops when the toe rubs against the inside of your shoe, causing pain. People with diabetes or poor circulation may be more apt to develop corns. There are several treatments that can remove or eliminate corns, but if the underlying cause is not corrected, they are likely to recur. Pressure and repetitive friction are the main causes of corns and calluses on the feet. Wearing shoes that are not too tight, or too loose, can help reduce the pressure on the toes. When shoes are too tight or heels too high they can compress the foot; when they are too loose, the foot may slide and rub against them. A seam or stitching on the shoe also can cause repetitive friction. The best way to avoid corns is to wear shoes with room in the toe box, and socks that absorb moisture. Soaking the feet periodically helps soften the corns. For removal of a corn, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for safe treatment and prevention planning.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Lexington Foot and Ankle Center, PSC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Lexington, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If your feet hurt while walking, running, or even standing still for long periods of time, it may be an indication that you need the care of a podiatrist, which is a medical doctor who specializes in problems of the foot and ankle. Other foot problems that may need such attention include bunions, hammertoes, swollen feet and ankles, heel pain, corns or calluses that hurt when you walk, or itching and scaling skin on the feet or toes. Other indications that you may need to see a podiatrist include, pain in the ball of the foot, discoloration of the toes, feet that are cold and sweaty, foot pain while wearing shoes, and pain when walking barefoot. A podiatrist can also help with sports-related injuries and foot or ankle problems resulting from other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. If you have arthritis or rheumatism, a podiatrist can help to address these issues before they cause more serious complications to your feet. Regular visits with a podiatrist may save you from many years of pain and discomfort.  

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Lexington Foot and Ankle Center, PSC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Lexington, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.