October 2022

There are various ailments that can affect the toenails, and toenail fungus is considered to be the most common. Research has indicated that approximately 10 percent of adults suffer from this type of infection, and it can affect both feet. Common symptoms include yellowed toenails that can become brittle and may ultimately fall off. Toenail fungus is known to be challenging to treat, and often requires medical attention. The fungus that causes this unsightly condition lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, such as locker rooms, public swimming pools, and shower room floors. It can enter the body through small cuts in the feet of which the patient may be unaware of. Toenail fungus may easily be avoided when specific prevention methods are consistently followed. Wearing socks that are made of breathable materials, trimming the toenails correctly, and avoiding sharing shoes and socks may help in eliminating toenail fungus. Additionally, it is extremely beneficial to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas, which often includes flip flops or water shoes. If you are affected by toenail fungus, please consult a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition. 

For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot pain in seniors often interferes with daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, and even getting out of a chair. It may also affect the balance, which increases the likelihood of falling. Further, movement difficulty contributes to muscle weakness, weight gain, and diminished heart function. One of the most common causes of foot pain in seniors is wearing shoes that do not fit properly. It is believed that three-fourths of seniors over 65 wear shoes that are too small for their feet. In addition, narrow shoes and high-heels, along with footwear that lacks the proper support, contribute to pain, injuries, and risk of falling. Other common types of foot pain in older adults include bunions, calluses and corns, hammertoe, toenail problems, and heel problems. Additional causes are diabetes-related foot problems, such as ulcers and wounds that will not heal, and arthritis-related toe problems, such as gout. If you are experiencing foot pain that inhibits your life, please consult with a podiatrist for an examination and suggested treatment options.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

People who enjoy the sport of running are all too familiar with attempting to prevent running injuries. This may be accomplished by performing proper strength training exercises, in addition to wearing the right shoes and having proper form. Research has shown the number of running injuries that are encountered may be related to how many injuries have happened in the past, in addition to possibly having foot problems. Many people get hurt as a result of increasing speed and mileage too quickly, in addition to not warming up and cooling down properly. Performing strength training exercises for the feet and body may help considerably reduce the number of running injuries. If you are interested in learning more about how running injuries can affect the feet and how to prevent them, please consult with a podiatrist. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz of Pennsylvania. Our doctor 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 Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The ankle is a complex structure of bones, tendons, and ligaments that work together to carry your weight anytime you stand, walk, run, or play sports. If you have mobility problems, there are a number of exercises that can strengthen the ankles and help to prevent injury. Ankle exercises can also improve stability and flexibility. Improving the stability of your ankles on a daily basis has other benefits, such as helping you walk properly and preventing knee and hip injuries. Stiff or tight ankles can make it more difficult to flex and extend the foot, which inhibits your ability to walk uphill. Weak ankles can add to the risk of a sprain or other injury, when the joint gives way while walking or standing. Experts believe that strengthening the ankles can also help to increase bone density and ward off osteoarthritis. It can also help to reduce pressure on the joint and reduce the risk of falls. If you need information on exercises that can strengthen your ankles and increase their flexibility, please consult a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor 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 tendinitis
• 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 Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.