You can read Part 1 of this blog here. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gout? Gout is characterized by sudden attacks of severe pain, along with swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints, often at the base of the big toe. This is called podagra. It may occur suddenly and can be extremely…

Do you often wake up in the middle of the night with sudden attacks of severe pain in your joints? Having a hard time moving or walking? If the answer is yes, it’s probably gouty arthritis.Gouty arthritis, or quite simply gout, is one of the most painful types of arthritis. It remains a major health…

There are many famous athletes that have injured their Achilles tendon including Kobe Bryant and David Beckham.  A torn Achilles tendon can lead to prolonged period of not able to participate in the sport. In many instances the torn tendon requires surgical repair and rehabilitation that likely requires 6-9 months before the athlete is able…

I remember nostalgically how I loved to go to the local “Shoe Show” before the beginning of each school year as it was time for me to pick out my new shoes!!  Yay! The excitement within me was palpable. I would run through the aisles looking at all of the shoes hearing each delicate pair…

In the last few months I have had a rash of patients come in to the office describing the usage of green alcohol for just about every foot ailment under the sun. Patients have attempted using this product for the relief of pain from ingrown nails, ankle sprains, bunions and pretty much anything else you…

Blisters are due to repeated friction, heat, or excessive moisture that can create a superficial sore just beneath the skin. When the foot rubs against your socks or shoes, the friction created can cause excessive fluid build-up within the upper layers of skin.  It is important to keep your feet well hydrated but not overly…

Being a podiatrist I can tell you that I have heard them all and then some. Everyone has their preferred method of fighting nail fungus at home, and they swear by it. First, let’s look at the three most common home remedies I’m asked about, and then why I don’t recommend them for my patients….

It’s Fall and that means that every year there are several sports activities that either start the season or some end the season. Baseball ends in November with the World Series and Football, Basketball and Ice Hockey get going full swing. When we treat an athlete who plays in single or multiple sports and we…

A lateral ankle sprain is the most common form of ankle sprain. Patients report an inversion of the ankle, meaning the foot twisted underneath the leg.  The patient may complain of pain outside of the ankle with bruising, the technical term for which is ecchymosis. The severity of the sprain can prevent the patient from…

As I continue forward in my podiatry career, I continue to have a similar question asked of me often:  Is it better to put heat or cold on an area of injury?  This question pertains to people coming in with a new pain, old pain, surgery pain, the whole gamut. There are some keys points…