Harvey R. Danciger, DPM
74-000 Country Club Drive, Suite A-2
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 568-0108

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Posts for tag: bunion

By drdanciger
September 29, 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: hallux valgus   bunion   big red bump   arthritis   pain  

A bunion, or Hallux Abducto Valgus, is an enlargement and mis-alignment of the big toe joint of the foot. This often causes irritation with swelling, redness and pain at the big toe joint. Some people never notice they have a bunion till it starts to hurt, and then they come into the office saying this just occurred overnight. Bunions do not appear overnight, they are a progressive deformity which develops over time.

As the big toe moves laterally, or towards the lesser toes, and the 1st metatarsal bone, the long bone behind the big toe moves inward, this creates the bump that people see. This area becomes aggravated by pressure and can then become inflamed, swollen and very painful. Walking can be hampered and wearing shoes can be extremely painful.

The tendency to develop bunions can be hereditary. This is usually due to muscle imbalance around the big toe joint, caused by faulty foot mechanics and function. This puts an abnormal force on the muscles and tendons around the big toe joint and over time causes the pulling of the toe towards the little toes, creating the bunion.

If diagnosed early, padding, shoe therapy and functional orthotics may help alleviate the discomfort associated with the bunion. Left untreated, the bunion can cause arthritis to develop in the joint with joint destruction. Moving the toe can become very painful and difficult. The patient will not be able to perform many of life's daily activities due to pain. If conservative care does not afford the person enough relief because the bunion has become large, then surgery can be done to re-align the toe joint and restore better function. This can put the patient back on their feet and help them achieve a more active lifestyle.

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By drdanciger
September 13, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Rheumatoid arthritis and your feet

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the population in the United States. Many of these people, close to 90%, will go on to develop chronic foot problems. The most common complaint is pain under the ball of the foot, or metatarsalgia. This is because the joints most often affected in the foot are the metatarsophalangeal joints; the joints where to toes meet the foot.

Different types of foot deformities seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis include Hallux Valgus or bunions, hammertoes, and widening of the foot with the toes going or pointing toward the little toes.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint destruction. This will lead to joint instability, enabling the toes to move out of position. This in turn can cause increased forces to the bone causing instability and the pressure on the bone can cause some erosion to occur at the level of the articular cartilage of the joints. This can lead to an increase in pressure under the ball of the foot and increased pain. At times, rheumatoid nodules (soft tissue growths) will develop and cause pain and difficulty walking.

Inserts and orthotics have been shown to help alleviate the pain and discomfort in some patients presenting with the above problems. If conservative care does not afford the patient relief, surgery may be the solution to getting the patient pain free.

See your podiatrist today if you are showing any signs or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Early detection may give you many more years of pain free ambulation.

 

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Podiatrist - Palm Desert, Harvey R. Danciger DPM, 74-000 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert CA, 92260 760-568-0108