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Understanding the Causes and Symptoms of Gout

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, most commonly the big toe. This condition can develop suddenly and is often triggered by dietary choices, genetics, or underlying health issues. Risk factors include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, diuretic use, obesity, and elevated triglyceride levels. Symptoms of gout include intense joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, often described as feeling like the toe is on fire. The joint may become so tender that even the weight of a bedsheet feels unbearable. A podiatrist plays a vital role in diagnosing and managing gout. Through physical examination, imaging, and lab tests, they can confirm the condition and offer relief through medication, dietary guidance, and preventive strategies to manage flare-ups and avoid joint damage. If you are dealing with this condition, it is suggested you make an appointment with a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Keeping Heels Smooth and Preventing Cracks

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Dry, cracked heels are often the result of pressure, friction, or lack of moisture. To maintain soft, healthy skin, it is important to care for your feet regularly. Using a gentle foot file on clean, dry skin helps remove buildup without causing irritation. Applying a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer daily can restore hydration and improve skin texture. Wearing supportive, closed-back shoes protects the heels from excess rubbing and helps retain moisture. Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces, which can dry and harden the skin over time. For deeper cracks or skin that splits and becomes painful, further care may be necessary. If your dry or cracked heels persist or worsen, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment to restore comfort and prevent infection or other complications.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

Invest in a good foot cream
Try Using Petroleum Jelly
Ease up on Soaps
Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

Moisturize After Showering
Skip a Shower
Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need.

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

Causes and Care of Foot Bruises

Tuesday, 10 June 2025

A foot bruise, also known as a contusion, occurs when small blood vessels break under the skin, leading to discoloration, swelling, and tenderness. It may also appear as a hematoma, where blood pools in a localized area, or purpura, marked by purple patches due to bleeding beneath the skin. Common causes include a sprained ankle, a bone fracture, falling, sports injuries, or dropping a heavy object on the foot. These injuries can damage soft tissue and sometimes affect deeper structures. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity of the bruise, rule out fractures or more serious conditions, and recommend proper care. Foot bruises can often be painful. If you have a bruised foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate relief solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Todd Goldberg from Complete Family Foot Care Center. 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 Littlestown, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Saturday, 07 June 2025

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Big Toe

Tuesday, 03 June 2025

Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, surgery, or trauma, even if the initial event seems minor. When CRPS affects only the big toe, it can cause intense, persistent pain that is often out of proportion to the original injury. Other symptoms include swelling, temperature changes, skin color changes, and increased sensitivity to touch or pressure. In some cases, the toe may become stiff or difficult to move. Although CRPS is more commonly seen in the hand or foot as a whole, it can also be localized to a single toe. Treatment includes medication, targeted exercise, nerve blocks, and desensitization techniques aimed at restoring function and relieving pain. If you are experiencing unexplained or prolonged pain in your big toe following an injury or procedure, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Todd Goldberg of Complete Family Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

Trauma
Sports injury
Wearing shoes that are too tight
Arthritis
Gout
Corns and calluses
Hammertoe
Bunions
Blisters
Ingrown toenails
Sprains
Fractures (broken bones)
Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

Severe pain
Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
Signs of infection
Continued swelling
Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

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