Services – Santa Clara Foot Care Center

Ingrown toenails are nails that have grown into the soft skin that surrounds the nail bed. In many cases, it is the corner of the nail that curves downward into the skin. However, the entire side of the nail may grow into the skin as well. Many ingrown toenails can be resolved at home by frequently soaking the foot in warm water. However, some ingrown nails do not resolve with home remedies and instead require medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need ingrown toenail treatment?

You may need to visit an urgent care center if you have severe pain or swelling around one of your toenails. The toe may also be reddened and tender near the ingrown nail. It is important to seek medical attention for an ingrown toenail to ensure that it does not become infected.

Did you know…

that ingrown toenails are a very common condition? In fact, 1 in 20 people get one every year. Both genders are susceptible to ingrown toenails, but women are most likely to develop the condition – often due to the strain placed on feet from narrow, pointed, high-heeled shoes. In most cases, it is the big toe affected by an ingrown nail.

How will my doctor treat my ingrown toenail?

If your toenail is only slightly ingrown, your doctor may lift the nail, separating it from the skin using a splint. Standard treatment for a severely ingrown toenail involves removing the portion of the toenail that has grown into the skin. Your toe will first be numbed, and sterilized surgical scissors will be used to carefully cut along the nail. The doctor will then dress and bandage the toe, sending you home with topical ointments and instructions for post-treatment care and follow-up. Your toenail should re-grow within a few weeks.

Is there anything I can do to prevent ingrown toenails in the future?

Patient education and prevention are the foundations of our practice. Our team can provide you with helpful tips to reduce the risk of foot complications, such as keeping your feet clean and trimming your toenails straight across. We may also prescribe special shoes to protect your feet from developing sores

What type of diabetic foot care should I expect from my podiatrist?

Yes. When trimming your toenails, cut them straight across instead of rounding them. You should also check your shoes to ensure there is plenty of room for your toes. Cramped toe space raises your risk of ingrown toenails.

Bunions are bone deformations that form on the foot where it joins the big toe. They develop over time, gradually getting bigger and sticking out from the rest of the foot. Bunions are caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, with many people predisposed to developing them due to a weakened foot structure. Others get bunions because of chronic stress on the big toe or a chronic condition like arthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of a bunion?

Bunions are easily identified by the large, protruding bump they cause at the base of the big toe. Usually, the big toe begins to angle away from the body, potentially leading to redness, soreness and swelling. The skin may also become thickened and develop calluses.

Did you know…

that wearing the right shoes can help prevent bunions and prevent existing ones from worsening? Shoes should never crowd the toes and should support the natural shape of your feet. It is also wise to purchase shoes with a wide toe area, allowing plenty of space between the toes and the end of the shoes.

Should I see a podiatrist about my bunions?

Many people live with bunions for years without any problems. However, they may lead to complications, such as ‘hammertoe’ or ‘bursitis’ if left untreated. Schedule an appointment to meet with a podiatrist if your bunions are worsening, causing chronic toe or foot pain, or if they are limiting your mobility. You may also wish to consult with a podiatrist about bunion treatment if your bunions are a source of embarrassment or affecting your ability to find shoes that fit.

What types of bunion treatments are available?

Not everyone who has bunions requires treatment. However, your podiatrist may recommend addressing the symptoms of bunions by first changing shoes or using foot orthotics that support the big toe in a ‘normal’ position. Steroid injections or over-the-counter medications may also be used to reduce inflammation and temporarily manage pain. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore the toe’s natural position.

Diabetes is a disease that affects multiple areas of the body – including the feet. Foot care should be an important part of every diabetic’s plan for preventing complications of high blood sugar. Approximately 70 percent of people with diabetes develop circulatory problems and peripheral nerve damage. Together, these conditions can lead to wounds that do not heal, resulting in infection and in some cases, the need for amputation. In fact, diabetic nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) is a leading cause of foot and leg amputation in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, regardless of whether he or she has also been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. According The Diabetes Association, all diabetics need an annual foot exam. Those with peripheral neuropathy or other foot problems should undergo foot exams on a more frequent basis.

Did you know…

that approximately 20 million people in the U.S. live with peripheral neuropathy? This condition is identified by nerve damage in the limbs and extremities, which may cause tingling or loss of feeling in the toes and feet. A person with diabetes needs a lifetime of diabetic foot care to identify potential complications and treat them before they result in permanent tissue damage.

What type of diabetic foot care should I expect from my podiatrist?

Your podiatrist will evaluate your foot circulation and sensitivity during each exam. You will also be checked for changes to your skin or any wounds on your feet. If you are experiencing discomfort caused by peripheral neuropathy, your podiatrist may be able to prescribe medication to reduce tingling, burning, or pins-and-needles sensations in your feet.

Can my podiatrist help me prevent diabetic foot complications?

Patient education and prevention are the foundations of our practice. Our team can provide you with helpful tips to reduce the risk of foot complications, such as keeping your feet clean and trimming your toenails straight across. We may also prescribe special shoes to protect your feet from developing sores

About Podiatry Surgery

If you have a foot problem you are not alone. Four out of five adults eventually suffer some sort of foot problem. Some of them will need surgery by a podiatrist. Most foot surgery is elective, you and Dr. Monson will decide on whether and when to have it preformed. The more you know about what to expect the more smoothly your foot surgery and recovery are likely to go. Each surgery is unique, but there are basic goals: to relieve pain and to restore function. Once surgery is decided, Dr. Monson will discuss the entire procedure, pre and post-op course, possible outcomes and complications.

What are Orthotics?

An orthotic device is an individually designed custom piece that changes the function of your foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do they work?

An orthotic changes the way your foot works. Dr. Monson will determine why your foot function is causing your particular symptoms. Flat feet, high arches, hammertoes, neuroma, callouses, bunions and heel pain are common foot problems that may be helped by changing your foot function. Many foot problems requiring surgical correction are caused by abnormal function. Frequently following surgical correction of the deformity, an orthotic is used to reduce the possibility of its recurrence.

Did you know…

An athlete’s feet are under a lot of stress, making them especially susceptible to injury. When athletes push their bodies to perform, they put pressure on the feet. From training to competing, people who actively participate in athletic activity are constantly putting themselves at risk for injury. At our podiatry office, we aim to treat sports foot injuries as quickly and efficiently as possible, helping athletes to recover and return to their usual activities in as little time as possible.

How much do I need to wear my orthotics?

Orthotic control is similar to wearing prescription eyeglassed. While you are wearing them the function is improved. Ideally, you should wear your orthotics when you are on your feet.

Types of orthotics?

There are many typs of orthotics and Dr. Monson will decide which type is best for treating your particular problem.