Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are caused by a twisting injury or force on the ankle joint, often resulting in one or more ligaments of the ankle being stretched or torn. Ankle injuries occur commonly while playing stepping incorrectly off of a curb, running on uneven terrain, playing sports, or slipping on ice. If not properly treated, ankle sprains can develop into a chronic condition. Symptoms include pain, swelling and bruising to the ankle and difficulty walking and participating in activities. X-rays should always be taken to rule out fractures and occasionally an MRI is ordered to evaluate the extent of injury to the ankle ligaments. Treatments includes rest, icing, stretching, bracing, physical therapy and anti-inflammatories.

Balance Issues and Falls

Falls are the leading cause of injury leading to death among older adult. Fall-related hip fractures account for approximately 25% of injuries leading to death among those over age 65, and 34% among those 85 or older. Fall related injuries occur more commonly than strokes and are the most preventable cause of nursing home placement. If you have difficulty walking and/or maintaining balance, history of falls, vestibular (inner ear issues) disorder, chronic ankle instability, arthritic ankles, stroke imbalance/foot drop, diabetic peripheral neuropathy you should be evaluated for balance. Treatments can include simple shoe recommendations, strengthening exercises, physical therapy, other physician referrals, and or braces.

Bunions

A bunion is a painful bony bump that develops on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint. Bunions are often referred to as hallux valgus.

Bunions develop slowly. Pressure on the big toe joint causes the big toe to lean toward the second toe. Over time, the normal structure of the bone changes, resulting in the bunion bump. This deformity will gradually increase and may make it painful to wear shoes or walk.

Anyone can get a bunion, but they are more common in women. Many women wear tight, narrow shoes that squeeze the toes together—which makes it more likely for a bunion to develop, worsen and cause painful symptoms.

Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes, different bunion products, orthotics, or surgical intervention.

CAllous/Corns

Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure. They most often develop on the feet and toes.

If you're healthy, you need treatment for corns and calluses only if they cause discomfort. For most people, simply eliminating the source of friction or pressure makes corns and calluses improve or disappear.

If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you're at greater risk of complications from corns and calluses and should seek out our Podiatric care.

Diabetic foot Care

Diabetes can have a significant impact on your feet so seeing your podiatrist at least once a year is an important part of managing your condition and preventing complications. An annual foot exam, daily self-exams, consistent professional foot care, comfortable well fitted shoes and a team approach including a podiatrist is important. If you experience any cramping, numbness, cuts, callouses, changes to toenails, or openings in your skin you should immediately seek attention. Your podiatrist is best qualified to managing the effects that diabetes can have on your feet.

To view a video on diabetes from the APMA: Click HERE

To view diabetes information from the State of Delaware: Click HERE

For a fact sheet about diabetes: Click HERE

For more on diabetes awareness: Click HERE

Watch a video about “Tips for Managing Your Foot Health” from the APMA: Click HERE

Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) deformity of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop.

Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with noninvasive measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to nonsurgical treatment. They can cause thickened toenails and corns or callouses on the top of the toe or the tips of the toes. If the patient is diabetic, these corns and callouses can lead to ulcerations (sores) and infection. Pain may be experienced to the toes or ball of the foot.

INgrown toenails

ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect your big toe.

Often you can take care of ingrown toenails on your own. If the pain is severe or spreading, your doctor can take steps to relieve your discomfort and help you avoid complications of ingrown toenails.

If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you're at greater risk of complications of ingrown toenails

Plantar fasciitis/Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel. Approximately 2 million patients are treated for this condition every year.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed.

The plantar fascia is designed to absorb the high stresses and strains we place on our feet. But, sometimes, too much pressure damages or tears the tissues. The body's natural response to injury is inflammation, which results in heel pain and stiffness of the plantar fascia.

Conservative therapy such as stretching exercises, ice, orthotics, better sneakers/shoes work most of the time but if it does not, there are some noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures that have revolutionized treatment of this condition.

Podiatric surgery

Dr. Wendolowski is Board Certified By The American Board Of Foot And Ankle Surgery And A Diplomate Of The American College Of Foot And Ankle Surgeons. He believes in doing what’s best for the patient’s situation. That rarely begins with surgery. Instead, Dr. Wendolowski takes a more conservative approach to treatment and only once exhausted all non-surgical treatment options will we pursue a surgical approach. Minor procedures, such as removal of an ingrown toenail, can be performed under local anesthesia in the office. More complex surgeries are done in the hospital or surgical center with mild sedation and local anesthesia. If we decide surgery is the only option for relief, we work closely with our patient from the pre operative phase, through the procedure, and into the post operative phase. Surgery ranges from elective procedures such as bunions, hammertoes, and neuromas to repair of injuried tendons and fractured bones. You can rely on Dr. Wendolowski’s 18 years of surgical experience.

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis)

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenail. The nail will typically change color, lift from the nail bed, have debris under the nail and sometimes cause pain. Complications can range from pain, secondary bacterial infections, and cellulitis of the foot and leg. Typical treatment can require taking care of the environment your feet are in, such as your shoes, topical medication, oral medication, and lasers treatment along with continued debridement by your Podiatrist. We at Delaware Total Foot and Ankle Center continue to stay current with the most up to date options and will help you make the right decisions in your treatment.

WARTS

Warts are benign skin lesions due to a viral infection known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). this generally invades the skin through cuts and abrasions on the skin. The can be found anywhere on the skin but are commonly found on the bottom of the foot (plantar warts). They can be painful and commonly mistaken for callouses or corns. Approximately 50% of warts may resolve without treatment over a two year period, however, treatment is recommended to prevent the spread of the infection to other areas on the foot and other people.