September 2020

The nerve that becomes thick or irritated in patients that have Morton’s neuroma is referred to as the plantar interdigital nerve. This condition can produce severe pain and discomfort, and generally occurs between the second, third, or fourth toes. It can develop as a result of wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in, or from repetitive impact that can come from participating in running and jumping activities. Common symptoms that many patients experience can include a burning pain in the forefoot, and many people often describe the feeling as having a small stone that is lodged under the foot. If you are afflicted with Morton’s neuroma, please confer with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can effectively treat this condition.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM of Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel gets squeezed or pressed, resulting in multiple issues. This narrow tunnel in the ankle, next to the ankle bone, serves as a pathway for nerves, veins, arteries and tendons. Risk factors for tarsal tunnel syndrome include having flat feet, muscle tightness, an abnormal structure like a cyst or tumor in the foot, trauma, or systemic diseases such as diabetes. Common symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include pain on the inside of the ankle, a shooting sensation that can radiate up the ankle, and numbness or tingling along the sole of the foot. Those who believe that they may be suffering from tarsal tunnel syndrome should consult with a podiatrist immediately in order to prevent future damage. There are a variety of both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options and your podiatrist will determine what course of action is best for you. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM of Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic foot ulcers are slow healing wounds that appear on the feet of individuals with diabetes and can become a very serious health issue. Almost a quarter of all individuals diagnosed with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their life. There are several types of diabetic foot ulcers, and knowing which type you have can help determine the most effective treatment. Neuropathic ulcers occur when nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy prevents the patient with diabetes from feeling pain from an injury. This allows the wound to progress before you are even aware of it, increasing the risk of infection. Ischemic ulcers may be caused by a lack of blood flow to the feet. These types of ulcers are often difficult to heal. Neuroischemic ulcers are the most difficult to heal and occur in individuals who have both neuropathy and poor circulation. Infected wounds occur in half of diabetic patients with foot ulcers, and require close medical attention. If you have diabetic foot ulcers, it is highly recommended that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you look after your wounds and prevent severe complications.  

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The ball of the foot, also known as the forefoot, is a complex area of the foot that contains bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Because of this complexity, a variety of injuries can form in this area. One issue that can develop in the ball of the foot is Morton's Neuroma, which is the swelling of the nerve between the third and fourth toes. Sesamoiditis, an overuse injury of two bones that are beneath the big toe, is another common issue. Another frequently seen injury is bursitis, which is an irritation of the cushion-like sacs between the tendons and bones. Other common issues in the ball of the foot include capsulitis, arthritis, hammertoe, corns, or a plantar plate injury. Because of the variety of possible injuries in this area of the foot, it is important to visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment for the pain.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.