Foot Doctor in Studio City

The 26 bones, 33 joints, and hundreds of tendons that make each of your feet are subjected to pressure daily—a foot doctor in Studio City may be suggested. While often a last resort, surgery may be an option for foot conditions that don’t respond well to other treatments.

Bunions

Referring to a bony bump on the joint at the bottom of the big toe, bunions can make it difficult to wear certain shoes without pain. Smaller bunions can also develop on other toes, although it’s often the ones on the big toe that are especially painful. Symptoms associated with a bunion include:

• Thickening of the skin at the base of the big toe
• Soreness, swelling, and redness on the big toe
• Limited movement of the toe
• Corns or calluses

There’s usually no need for medical attention for bunions since the condition often goes away on its own, although you may need to wear more comfortable shoes and avoid other movements that may aggravate it. You may be referred to a foot doctor for a bunion if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening pain
• Decreased movement of your toe
• A visible bump on your big toe

The corrective surgery for a bunion, usually a same-day procedure, is called an osteotomy. It’s an operation that involves straightening the toe and metatarsals. Recovery takes about 4-6 weeks and requires the wearing of a surgical shoe. At our office, we provide a state-of-the-art minimally invasive bunion surgery that is provided by the top foot doctor in Studio City.

Hammertoe

When a toe is clawed or permanently bent, the condition is known as “hammertoe” due to the shape of the deformity. The abnormal bending typically occurs on just about any toe other than the big toe. It’s a condition that often starts off as mild with symptoms such as a mild irritation or redness of the affected toe.

Early treatment of hammertoe is recommended to increase the effectiveness of non-surgical treatments. However, hammertoe will not get better without intervention; and there will be a point when non-surgical treatments won’t be an option if the condition remains untreated. Symptoms include:

• Irritation or pain on the affected toe
• Corns and calluses on the toe or between toes
• Redness, inflammation, and a burning sensation

A foot doctor will evaluate your hammertoe to put together a treatment plan based on the stage of your condition. Treatments include:

• Injection therapy
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to reduce inflammation
• Splinting or the use of small straps
• Surgery when hammertoe becomes severe

Metatarsal Damage

If the metatarsal bones, the long bones behind your toes, are the cause of your foot pain, surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity. The lining of these joints can be affected by inflammation resulting from chronic conditions like arthritis. Persistent inflammation can cause these joints, referred to as the metatarsophalangeal joints, to become damaged or dislocated, often resulted in severe discomfort and pain experienced while walking or standing.

Before surgery is recommended, a foot doctor is likely to suggest conservative treatments such as stretching or using shoe inserts to minimize discomfort. If you have a foot infection that has resulted from the condition or an infection that’s compounding the problem, that will need to be treated first. If you are a candidate for surgery, it’s usually an outpatient procedure.

A common surgical remedy is the removal of the heads of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The purpose of this procedure is to allow more room for your toe to move without pain. Whether or not you can place any weight on the affected surgery the same day as the procedure will depend on how well you respond to surgery and the extent of the damage that was corrected.

Morton’s Neuroma and Plantar Fasciitis

Both of these conditions rarely require surgery, although a foot doctor can determine the extent of the damage to structures within your foot from either Morton’s neuroma or plantar fasciitis. Morton’s neuroma is a condition that usually affects a nerve that supplies neighboring toes. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation at the point where a thick band of tissues connects to a spot under your heel.

Ankle/Foot Arthritis

Often caused by osteoarthritis, ankle or foot arthritis affects cartilage that covers the ends of your toes. Throughout the progression of the condition, the cartilage wears away and the adjacent bone thickens. It can also be aggravated by a previous foot injury or affected by rheumatic conditions. The main symptoms are swelling and pain associated with movement, although the affected joint may also become deformed.

Diagnostic tests such as x-rays and an MRI are often recommended by a foot doctor to determine the extent of arthritis and to confirm how much it’s affecting your foot, or feet. Initial treatment for arthritis of the ankle or foot frequently involves:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Orthotics or custom bracing
• Steroid Injections
• Physical therapy

Treatment from Foot Doctor in Studio City

If surgery is necessary, which is only the case when arthritis has caused identifiable damage with resulting pain that’s not responding well to other treatments, there are three common options: ankle fusion, triple fusion, the fusion of three joints, or ankle replacement, where worn out ends of the tibia and talus bones are replaced.

Persistent foot pain from any source is not normal. Even if your discomfort is related to a chronic condition such as arthritis or diabetes, a foot doctor may be able to help manage symptoms. If surgery is necessary to relieve the source of your pain, a foot doctor will explain your options and provide the clear answers you need to make a well-informed decision.
For any type of foot or ankle discomfort, contact our office to schedule an appointment for a consultation with the best foot doctor in Studio City and the surrounding areas. Feel free to ask us about the innovative techniques that we use for diagnosing and treating food and ankle conditions to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.