July 2022

Warts are skin growths and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It may take several months after coming in contact with the HPV to notice if warts have developed. They are known to be contagious and can spread by sharing towels, socks, or shoes. Plantar warts are located on the bottom of the feet and grow inward as a result of standing and walking all day. A plantar wart can be uncomfortable and can cause severe pain. Most people notice they look like a callus with tiny black dots in the middle, which are blood vessels. In other people, the wart may be smooth and flat. A proper diagnosis can consist of taking a sample of the wart and looking for any bleeding, a large size, or if they are fast-growing. Many warts will gradually disappear, although it is advised that if you have plantar warts you speak with a podiatrist who can properly treat them. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Scott Samera, DPM from Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Although it is rarely given much attention, the big toe plays an important role in carrying out many of our daily activities. The big toe joint, also known as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, connects the big toe to the foot, and supports the body with every step you take. When it is injured or sore, it can impede the ability to walk. Major causes of MTP joint pain are osteoarthritis, gout, bunions, injuries, and sesamoiditis. Osteoarthritis in the big toe causes the joint to become inflamed. The cartilage that connects the bones wears away, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling as the bones rub together. Gout is another form of arthritis, caused by uric acid crystals that often build up within the big toe joint. Intense pain, redness, and swelling are symptoms during a flare up. Big toe sprains and fractures cause pain, swelling, and bruising with any weight bearing activity. In the case of a fracture, please get immediate medical help. A bunion is a bone malformation of the big toe joint, often caused by wearing shoes that are tight around the toes. The top of the big toe moves toward the second toe, while the base of the toe bone shifts outward to form a bump. Bunions can be extremely painful, in addition to changing your gait and causing further problems in the feet. Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of two tiny bones wrapped within tendons at the base of the MTP joint. If you have any of the conditions, please consult a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment plan.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. 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 feel free to contact our office located in Lake City and Branford, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

As people get older, the feet and ankles have a higher blood volume level, which often results in having swollen feet and ankles. This generally produces little or no pain, despite the fact that some patients find it difficult to move their ankles as they once did. Swelling of the feet can occur for many reasons. A common concern is additional salt in the diet, as this may cause water retention. An antidote may be drinking plenty of fresh water daily, which is helpful in moving the fluids around in the body. Many people can develop swollen feet if they sit for extended periods of time, and this is common while flying. Additionally, blood can collect in the ankles in warm climates, and gravity may contribute significantly toward this. Losing weight, in addition to reducing sugar intake and avoiding unhealthy fats, may help to control swollen feet and ankles. Relief may come from elevating the feet as often as possible, and this is typically effective when coupled with other methods to reduce existing swelling. If you suffer from swollen feet and ankles, please confer with a podiatrist who can guide you toward proper management of this condition.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

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

When a child complains about pain in their leg, it might be coming from a problem with their foot. Flat feet, or feet without a well-developed arch, is common among children. While some kids might not experience any symptoms of flat feet, others might feel cramping or tenderness in their feet, lower leg, or knee. They might limp or show an aversion to athletic activities and walking because of pain in their feet. While foot pain in children might be from growing, it could be something else that deserves examination by a qualified podiatrist. They might have a structural abnormality of the foot that requires orthotics or surgery. If your child complains of foot or leg pain, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose their condition and offer treatment options.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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