Items filtered by date: April 2025

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail grows into the skin along the side of the toe, often causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. When an ingrown toenail does not improve or worsens, a podiatrist may recommend a medical procedure. One common option is a partial nail avulsion, which involves numbing the toe with a local anesthetic and then removing only the part of the nail that is growing into the skin. This reduces pressure and allows the toe to heal. If ingrown toenails keep coming back on the same toe, a matrixectomy may be performed during the same visit. This procedure removes or destroys the nail root, called the matrix, so that part of the nail will not grow back. This procedure can be done using a chemical, heat from an electric device, or a surgical instrument. If there is an infection, a podiatrist may also prescribe oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria. If you have a problematic ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and safe treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Gerard Skaziak, DPM of Lakeview Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

An Achilles tendon tear is a painful injury that often occurs during activities that involve sudden starts, stops, or pivots, especially in sports or while running. The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, is essential for walking, running, and rising onto the toes. A torn Achilles tendon may happen suddenly, often with a popping sound, followed by sharp pain at the back of the ankle. Patients may find it difficult to push off the foot or stand on their toes. In many cases, the foot may exhibit abnormal movement, including excessive pronation or supination, which can place strain on the tendon. A podiatrist can examine your ankle and foot alignment, assess range of motion, and determine the extent of the tear using diagnostic tests. If the tendon is completely torn, surgery may be required to restore function. A podiatrist can also help guide you through non-surgical recovery methods, including immobilization, and provide support for proper foot biomechanics. If you have injured your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you make an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Gerard Skaziak, DPM of Lakeview Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe due to misalignment of the foot’s bones. This condition causes the tip of the big toe to shift toward the smaller toes, leading to discomfort, swelling, and difficulty walking. When conservative treatments are not effective, bunion surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and correct the deformity. An osteotomy involves cutting and realigning the bone to restore proper positioning. An exostectomy focuses on removing the bony prominence without realigning the joint. An arthrodesis fuses the affected joint to eliminate movement and pain, while a resection arthroplasty removes a portion of the bone to create more space within the joint. Each procedure is chosen based on the severity of the bunion and the patient’s individual needs to improve function and comfort. If you have a bunion that is painful, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine if surgery is right for you, and which type you would most benefit from.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Gerard Skaziak, DPM of Lakeview Family Foot Care. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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