There are several types of fungi that are classified as dermatophytes which can cause skin infections, including athlete’s foot. There are different types of athlete’s foot, and each have their own symptoms. The most common form of athlete's foot is called chronic interdigital athlete’s foot, and the skin is generally itchy between the fourth and fifth toes. It can develop by wearing shoes that are too tight, creating a moist environment that can encourage fungal growth. Chronic scaly athlete's foot, which is also referred to as moccasin-type, can be found on the sole of the foot. The skin is typically dry, and underneath it can be pink and tender. The least common type of this kind of skin infection is referred to as acute vesicular athlete’s foot. The symptoms that are associated with this can consist of blisters that develop on the bottom or top of the foot, and is caused by multiple fungi. Athlete's foot is considered to be contagious, and it is advised to wear appropriate footwear while in public swimming pools, locker rooms, and standing on shower room floors. If you have signs of this skin infection, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can start you with the appropriate treatment.

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 Rahil Baxamusa, DPM from Illinois.  Our doctor 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 office located in Crystal Lake, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Turf toe is an injury that occurs when the big toe is bent past 90 degrees and the heel is high off the ground. Imagine a runner or football player in the starting position. Pushing off forcefully can cause the joint to extend beyond its natural range of motion. That in turn causes the tissues in the joint to be stretched or torn. Turf toe can also be the result of actions repeated over a long period, such as a ballet dancer jumping or leaping. It can also be caused by trauma, such as  when an athlete makes a sudden change of direction while running. There are three grades of turf toe. Grade 1 is when the tissue is stretched, but not torn. Symptoms include mild pain and swelling. Grade 2 is when the tissue is partially torn, causing intense discomfort over a broader area, along with swelling and some bruising. In Grade 3 injuries, the tissue is more severely torn, and the joint may become dislocated. Pain and swelling increases, and it is difficult to move the toe, let alone participate in physical activity. If you believe you have some form of turf toe, please consult a podiatrist for an immediate exam, diagnosis, and treatment options. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Rahil Baxamusa, DPM of Illinois. 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 Crystal Lake, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The location of the cuboid bone is on the outside of the foot. When this bone becomes fractured or injured it is referred to as cuboid syndrome. The cuboid bone is the only part of the foot that supports the fourth and fifth toes which significantly contribute to foot movements. Many people who suffer from a cuboid fracture may experience mobility problems and they may have a limited range of motion. This can make it difficult to complete everyday activities and the fracture site may become bruised or appear swollen. Balance may be affected and specific stretches and exercises may need to be performed to improve flexibility and strength of the overall foot. Cuboid syndrome or a fracture may lead to the development of degenerative arthritis. This may be a result of a loss or damage that has been done to the cartilage and the bones may rub together. This can be a serious foot condition. If you are afflicted with foot pain and think it may be cuboid syndrome, please consult with a podiatrist who can offer you the best treatment methods.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Rahil Baxamusa, DPM from Illinois. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

A common form of ankle pain is a sprain. It can be painful and is often difficult to walk. Ankle sprains can happen as a result of twisting the ankle unexpectedly while stepping off a curb, and from changing direction when running on uneven surfaces. Many times the ligament on the outside of the ankle becomes damaged from the twist and this is known as the lateral ligament. The best way to diagnose an ankle sprain is via X-ray. This imaging is an effective method of ruling out a broken ankle. The symptoms that many patients experience include bruising, swelling, and the inability to walk. There are three grades of ankle sprains that people can endure. Grade one is the least painful, and consists of a few tissue fibers that are torn. Considerable pain often accompanies grade two and involves more fibrous tissues torn. Patients are often unable to walk with a grade three sprain, and this is classified as a complete tear of the ligament. Mild relief may come from elevating the affected ankle frequently during the day as this may reduce existing swelling. An ankle sprain can be treated by a podiatrist, and it is important to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible so the correct treatment can begin.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Rahil Baxamusa, DPM from Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Crystal Lake, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you cycle and have pain near the bottom of the calf or back of the ankle, it could be Achilles pain. The Achilles tendons are at the back of the ankle and connect the calf muscle to the heel. If this area is sore during or after riding your bike, you likely have Achilles tendonitis or tendinosis. If your Achilles tendon gets inflamed or you sustain micro tears or compromised blood flow to the area, it could halt your cycling. Paying attention to the proper bike fit, saddle height, and pedal/cleat set-up for your frame and feet, as well as doing stretching and strengthening exercises before and after riding, could prevent these injuries. Similarly, consider that you may need more support inside your shoes to prevent over pronation of the knees and leg stress while pedaling. If issues arise and you feel pain in your ankles or feet from cycling, seek out a podiatrist for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your condition.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Rahil Baxamusa, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Crystal Lake, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.