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Orthotic Shoe Inserts Treat and Prevent Many Foot and Ankle Problems

April 6, 2020 By Dr. Markantone

Custom formed orthotic shoe inserts are created to precisely fit your foot shape so they can more accurately treat many foot and ankle problems, from improper arch support to toe and foot deformities. Not only is proper foot alignment essential for the health of your feet and ankles, but also for your knees, hips, and back. For diabetic patients, specially made shoes, and 3 pairs of removable shoe inserts are covered by Medicare per year, so see your foot doctor.

Some of the many conditions treated with orthotic shoe inserts include the following:

Pronation problems and improper gait mechanics—Properly formed and placed orthotic inserts can correct arch support problems and improve your walking gait mechanics. This improves spinal alignment and has beneficial effects on your knees, hips, and back as well.
Diabetic foot problems—Orthotics can isolate and shift pressure away from problem areas such as foot ulcers.
Plantar fasciitis
Toe deformities including bunions and hammertoes—Optimally placed metatarsal bone supports can help correct tendon imbalances that cause toes to bend improperly.
Sports injuries—Not only can custom orthotics help sports injuries to heal faster, they can also prevent many injuries from happening in the first place.
Morton’s neuroma—Inserts can shift stress and pressure away from the ball of the foot so the affected nerve can heal.
Heel calluses and fissures—Painful heel problems can be treated and isolated with the help of orthotics.
Foot and ankle fractures

To find out how custom orthotics can work for you, contact your foot care professional. At Family Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Stephen Markantone treats a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions including sports injuries, diabetic foot issues, pediatric foot conditions, toe and foot deformities, fungal infections, and heel problems. Equipped with the most advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Family Foot & Ankle Clinic provides individualized and high-quality care for patients in the North Versailles and Delmont, PA areas. Contact our North Versailles office at 412-824-9370 or our Delmont office at 724-733-3338 to schedule an appointment.

3 Types of Cancer That Can Affect Your Feet

March 24, 2020 By Dr. Markantone

While many people think that developing cancer on your feet is unlikely (due to the usual lack of exposure to sun and UV rays), your feet are susceptible to developing certain types of cancer. All the more worrisome is the fact that cancers on the feet often go undetected until cancer has spread, making them potentially much more deadly.

Cancers on the feet can look like other skin conditions like warts and moles. Some cancers can even grow underneath your toenails, where it can be mistaken for toenail fungus, so be sure to have your foot doctor take a look.

3 types of cancer that can affect the feet include the following:

Malignant melanoma—This is one of the most dangerous types of cancer since the cancerous cells often grow inward and unseen.
Basal cell carcinoma—This is a more slowly developing type of cancer that may initially show up as waxy looking pink or white bumps that can be mistaken for warts by the untrained eye. As the tumors grow, they develop a crusty look and may bleed, but they don’t usually cause any discomfort.
Squamous cell cancer—The telltale sign of this type of cancer is a horn-like protrusion from the skin.

Detecting the signs of cancer early is essential for effective treatment, especially with aggressive cancers like melanoma that can rapidly spread to other areas of the body once it has reached your lymph nodes and circulatory system.

If you have any suspicious-looking lesions on your feet and ankles, make sure to have them checked out by your podiatrist. At Family Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Stephen Markantone treats a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, diabetic foot issues, pediatric foot conditions, toe and foot deformities, fungal infections, and heel problems. Equipped with the most advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Family Foot & Ankle Clinic provides individualized and high-quality care for patients in the North Versailles and Delmont, PA areas. Contact our North Versailles office at 412-824-9370 or our Delmont office at 724-733-3338 to schedule an appointment.

Why is My Ankle So Painful?

March 16, 2020 By Dr. Markantone

Your ankle absorbs a considerable amount of pressure when you walk, work, and exercise, and all that stress can cause the components of your ankle to fail, causing severe pain and discomfort. Ankle pain can also be a result of systemic diseases like diabetes and arthritis.

Some common causes of ankle pain include the following:

Ankle sprain—This is one of the most common injuries seen by foot doctors. Ankle sprains often happen when you are not paying attention to your footfalls. Your foot rolls over with the full weight of your body behind it causing severe stress to the many components that hold your ankle together. Prompt and proper treatment of an ankle sprain is essential to avoiding future complications like chronic ankle instability.
Achilles tendonitis—The Achilles tendon is the largest in your body, and it connects your foot to your calf muscle, enabling you to ambulate. When this tendon becomes stressed, stretched, or possibly even broken, severe pain and discomfort are the results with the pain often radiating to the ankle area.
Arthritis—The pain and stiffness caused by various types of arthritis often make the ankle joint difficult to move, which interferes with your ability to stand up and walk.

If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your ankles, your foot doctor is here to help. At Family Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Stephen Markantone treats a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, diabetic foot issues, pediatric foot conditions, toe and foot deformities, fungal infections, and heel problems. Equipped with the most advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Family Foot & Ankle Clinic provides individualized and high-quality care for patients in the North Versailles and Delmont, PA areas. Contact our North Versailles office at 412-824-9370 or our Delmont office at 724-733-3338 to schedule an appointment.

The Sensation of Burning Feet Has Many Causes

March 10, 2020 By Dr. Markantone

A burning sensation in your feet can result in something as simple as just being tired from being on your feet all day, but it can also be caused by skin infections and conditions that cause itching and burning like eczema or Athlete’s foot fungus infection. Another common cause of discomfiting sensations in the feet is from circulation abnormalities caused by poor blood circulation such as from peripheral artery disease. A burning sensation in your feet can be the result of something as simple as just being tired from being on your feet all dayA burning sensation in your feet can result in something as simple as just being tired from being on your feet all day, but it can also be caused by skin infections and conditions that cause itching and burning like eczema or Athlete’s foot fungus infection. Another common cause of discomfiting sensations in the feet is from circulation abnormalities caused by poor blood circulation such as from peripheral artery disease.

Tracing the actual cause of abnormal sensations in the feet can be difficult and may require testing such as nerve conduction studies to check for nerve damage. Since the cause of tingling, numbing, and burning is often a result of soft tissue problems, an MRI may be necessary to see any damage.

Some of the many other causes of a burning feet sensation include the following:

Chemotherapy side effects
Gout
Neuroma
Charcot foot
Kidney disease
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
Thyroid conditions
Diabetes
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
HIV
Exposure to toxic chemicals

If the burning sensation in one or both feet happened quickly and continues to cause symptoms after a day or two, it could be the sign of a serious problem that could result in permanent damage to your sense feeling.

If you are experiencing discomfort from a burning sensation in your feet, see your foot doctor for the correct diagnosis and proper treatment. At Family Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Stephen Markantone treats a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions including, sports injuries, diabetic foot issues, pediatric foot conditions, toe and foot deformities, fungal infections, and heel problems. Equipped with the most advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Family Foot & Ankle Clinic provides individualized and high-quality care for patients in the North Versailles and Delmont, PA areas. Contact our North Versailles office at 412-824-9370 or our Delmont office at 724-733-3338 to schedule an appointment.

3 Excellent Tips for Healthy & Happy Feet

March 3, 2020 By Dr. Markantone

Your feet form the foundation for the rest of your body, but we tend to take them for granted until a foot or ankle injury or other problem comes along. Keeping your feet in good shape is essential for all the walking, working, dancing, and exercising that you will perform throughout your life, and by following some straightforward advice, you can keep them functioning optimally for the years ahead.

3 excellent tips for keeping your feet healthy and happy include the following:

Wear properly fitted shoes with orthotic inserts—Wearing comfortable and properly supportive shoes is essential for foot health. See your foot doctor for the right orthotic inserts that can treat and prevent many foot and ankle problems.
Inspect your feet regularly—Check your feet for problems regularly to catch problems before they worsen. People who have diabetes should do daily inspections since cuts and infections can otherwise go unnoticed and quickly progress to ulcerating wounds and possible amputation.
Cut your toenails correctly—Cut your toenails as straight across as possible or on just a slight curve and keep them a little longer. It will help prevent painful ingrown toenails and possible bacterial and fungal toenail infections.

You can keep your feet happy and healthy by making regular visits to your podiatrist. At Family Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Stephen Markantone treats a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, diabetic foot issues, pediatric foot conditions, toe and foot deformities, fungal infections, and heel problems. Equipped with the most advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Family Foot & Ankle Clinic provides individualized and high-quality care for patients in the North Versailles and Delmont, PA areas. Contact our North Versailles office at 412-824-9370 or our Delmont office at 724-733-3338 to schedule an appointment.