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Q:  How effective is a surgery called Strayer in correcting how you walk? My wife just had this done. This was also done to eliminate growths on both her big toes.

A:  The Strayer procedure or gastrocnemius recession is used to correct the equinus deformity that can come with shortening of the Achilles tendon complex.  This will allow, over time, less pain in the midfoot and forefoot areas with a reduction in pressures in those areas.  I would imagine that your wife may have had a painful bunion deformity that may have been caused in part by any equinus and the surgeon thought that releasing the equinus deformity would help with the bunions.

Q:  Nike Air Max is that a good shoe for workout and casual wear.

A:  They are a good shoe to work out in and for casual wear, however I do recommend New Balance, Brooks, or Asics as an athletic shoe.

Q:  Are hammer toe and bunions caused by fallen arches?

A:  Hammertoes and bunions can be caused by fallen arches i.e. flatfoot deformity.

Q:  What type of shoe is good to wear for a woman with flat feet? And what type of insoles are good for her to wear?

A:  A type of good shoe for woman to wear with flat feet is a shoe that has a good anterior support.  I definitely do not recommend a shoe that has an elevated heel to it.  As far as inserts, I recommended an insert that supports the arch area and allows the foot to rest comfortably without creating an imbalance. I recommend Spenco inserts.

Q:  My big toe hurts at times and when I dig out, or cut out the nail part in the corner were the pain is, is that called a hang nail?

A:  This sounds more like an ingrown nail.  I would recommend seeing a podiatrist for further evaluation.

Q:  Are orthotics bad for your feet and do they have any effect on your knees?

A:  Orthotics are not meant to be bad for your feet, they’re actually meant to help your feet and your whole body function better.  If you are wearing a pair of orthotics, initially in the “break-in” phase then they are going that cause your feet to hurt and may have affect on your knees due to changing the way that you walk.  This will go away over time as you get used to wearing the orthotics.  If you have had these orthotics for a while and this is a continuing issue, I do recommend reevaluation and potentially a new set of orthotics.

Q:  I read an article about a podiatrist doing “medi-pedicures”. Can you talk about the difference between that versus a regular pedicure? Also the foot infections that can occur from nail salons?

A:  So “medi-pedicures” are done in the podiatrist office and the major difference is that the podiatrist knows more about the anatomy of the nail and the surrounding structures versus a regular pedicurist that may not have this same knowledge.  We’re taught in podiatry school how to skillfully cut the nails in order to avoid injury and things to look for besides just making sure the nail is trimmed.  Foot infections can occur with repeated visitation to nail salons.  This may be due to multiple issues, that include not properly sterilizing the equipment to poor technique.

Q:  How do I cure numbness in my right big toe? I experience the when running and/driving. I am not diabetic.

A:  The numbness that you feel and your right big toe may be due to what’s call pressure neuropathy especially if you are running for an extended period of time or driving for an extended period of time.  If the numbness goes away when he stops running or when he stopped driving then this is more than likely a pressure neuropathy for which your podiatrist can evaluate and treat shoe.

Q:  Is there an alternative way to treat plantar fasciitis other than injections?

A:  Yes. There are noninvasive options to address plantar fasciitis.  There is physical therapy.  There is insert therapy, shoe modifications, or a regimen of at home icing and stretching.

Q:  I’m a 58-year-old male. My toenails have gotten really hard and some are discolored. My general doctor says it is not fungus, but I need regular nail color because I like wearing sandals. What can I do?

A:  This more than likely does sound like a fungus that may be affecting your toenails. I would recommend going to see her podiatrist in having them take a sample of the nails to be tested to see if it is a fungus.  If that test does come back positive there are prescription oral and topical medications that can be used to treat this.  However I would caution that the nails are not going to change back to normal overnight and that it may take months before you see any type of change.

Q:  How do you get rid of a big corn on the toe before the pinky toe?

A:  Conservatively, I would recommend a corn pad on the pinky toe that may help to soften the corn and gently remove it however, the cause of the corn is the underlining bone that rubs on the skin causing the change in color and texture.  If the corn pad does not work, then it may be advisable to get a surgical consultation to correct the pinky toe by removing the piece of bone that is irritating the underside of the skin.

Q:  What treatment is suggested for Achilles tendinitis? I am a nurse.

A:  Achilles tendinitis can be treated in a multitude of ways.  Conservatively, I would recommend a regimen of oral anti-inflammatories versus topical anti-inflammatories depending on if you have a history of ulceration of the stomach.  here is also physical therapy to teach stretching exercises, but also they have different modalities like iontophoresis or ultrasound therapy which may help alleviate the inflammation in the tendon itself.  Shoe modifications are always a good thing. Wear a more supportive shoe along with possible insert therapy.

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