Athlete's foot is affects the skin on the feet, particularly between the toes and along the soles. This fungal infection develops from contact with fungi that grow in warm and moist environments. For that reason, locker rooms, shared showers, and tight footwear are common sources of exposure. Symptoms include sore flaky patches on the feet, redness, itching, burning sensations, and peeling skin. The infection may spread to the toenails or other areas of the foot, if left untreated. Risk factors include excessive sweating, wearing damp socks, and going barefoot in public athletic facilities. A podiatrist can diagnose the infection and provide targeted treatment to restore healthy skin. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions, which may include prescribed medication.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Garnet & Carbonell, DPM, LLC.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Palmetto Bay, South Miami, and Homestead, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A popping or clicking sound in the ankle can happen when you walk, stand up, or move your foot. In many cases, ankle popping is harmless. The sound may occur when small gas bubbles in the fluid inside the joint are released as the ankle moves. It can also happen when tendons, the strong bands that connect muscles to bones, slide over the bones in the ankle. Tight muscles or tendons may make the sound occur more often. However, ankle popping may sometimes be linked to a problem in the joint. If the sound occurs along with pain, swelling, stiffness, or trouble walking, it could mean there is an injury or joint damage. A podiatrist can examine the ankle, determine why the sound is happening, and recommend proper treatment to protect the joint and prevent further damage. If you notice a popping sound in the ankle, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Garnet & Carbonell, DPM, LLC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Palmetto Bay, South Miami, and Homestead, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression condition that affects the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space located along the inner side of the ankle and foot. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it can cause pain and nerve-related symptoms throughout the foot. Causes include injury, swelling, flat feet, varicose veins, or anything that places pressure on the nerve. Risk factors include overuse, foot deformities, inflammatory joint disease, and repetitive stress activities. Symptoms often include burning pain, tingling, numbness, and sharp discomfort that may worsen with prolonged standing or walking. A podiatrist can evaluate foot structure, recommend supportive treatment, and help relieve nerve pressure. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat tarsal tunnel syndrome. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact one of our podiatrists of Garnet & Carbonell, DPM, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Palmetto Bay, South Miami, and Homestead, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Running places repeated stress on the 26 bones and numerous joints, tendons, and ligaments in the foot and ankle, which can lead to overuse injuries. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes irritated, causing sharp heel pain. Achilles tendinopathy involves damage to the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel, leading to stiffness and pain at the back of the ankle. Metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the foot, is usually caused by excess pressure on the long bones behind the toes. Stress fractures are small cracks in these bones that develop from repetitive impact and may cause swelling and tenderness. A podiatrist can order diagnostic imaging and prescribe custom orthotic devices or other medical treatment to reduce pain and support healing. If you have foot or ankle pain after running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Garnet & Carbonell, DPM, LLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Palmetto Bay, South Miami, and Homestead, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.