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

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By Dr. Danciger
March 07, 2011

 

Jennifer Grey, the reigning champ from Dancing with the Stars, recently had surgery for her neuroma. She had continued pain throughout the contest and eventually needed surgery. High heels and tight shoes can aggravate the problem causing increasing symptoms. Many times the person takes their shoe off and rubs the foot to relieve symptoms. X-rays may be taken to rule out any bone problem. Ultrasound can be used to visualize the neuroma.

Do you have pain in the ball of your foot? Do your toes cramp up when in a shoe? Do you have an electric shock which radiates into the adjacent toes? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a neuroma.

What is a neuroma? A neuroma is and enlarged nerve which can occur in the foot. There can be inflammation of the nerve also. When this occurs, pressure from the metatarsal bones, the long bones behind the toes, can cause further irritation to the nerve and pain.

Treatment can consist of wearing wider shoes, insoles, functional orthosis, injections, anti-inflammatory medications. If these forms of care are not enough, then surgery may be necessary.

 

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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