• AminoFix injection for Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendonitis
  • Arch Pain
  • Bunions And Bursitis
  • Certified Wound Care Specialist
  • Comprehensive Foot And Ankle Surgery
  • Congenital Foot And Ankle Deformities
  • Corns And Calluses
  • Diabetic Foot Care
  • Flat Feet
  • Foot And Ankle Fractures
  • Fungal Skin Infections


    • Hammertoes
    • Laser treatment for fungal nails
    • Heel Spurs
    • Metatarsal Disorders
    • Pediatric Foot And Ankle Problems & Injuries
    • Plantar Fasciitis
    • Plantar Warts
    • Reconstructive Surgery Of The Foot And Ankle
    • Sports Related Injuries
    • Traumatic Surgery Of The Foot And Ankle
    • Treatment Of Charcot Foot And Ankle Deformities
    • Treatment Of Ingrown, Fungal And Thickened Nail Conditions

    Welcome to the Patient Information Center! Here you will find information about the most common foot and ankle ailments. Click on any of the issues below to find out more about specific problems and what treatment options are available. Here you will also find links to interesting websites pertaining to podiatry. If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us through the website or give us a call!

    Common Ailments

    Helpful Information & Links

    The path to board certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) begins after graduating from an approved podiatric surgical residency program after which our doctors pass a rigorous written examination to become board qualified. Next, doctors spent up to 6 years of their initial practice time collecting various patient cases which demonstrate to the ABPS their decision-making, competency, and skills as a foot and ankle surgeon. After submission of these cases, detailed review, and acceptance to the ABPS, doctors sit for the ABPS oral examination held in Chicago, IL.

    • Dr. Paradoa has satisfied requirements by the ABPS to become board certified in Foot, Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery.

    Our patients can feel confident that they are being treated by a foot and ankle surgeon who has dedicated years of her education, training, and experience to achieving board certification status by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
    The American Board of Podiatric Surgery website has a wealth of information about podiatry and the requirements that must be met.

    A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is to the foot and ankle what a dentist is to the mouth, or an ophthalmologist to the eye — a doctor specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent judgments, prescribes medications and performs surgery. The human foot has a complex interrelation with the rest of the body which means that it may be the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since the podiatric physician is often the first to detect symptoms of these disorders, he or she becomes a vital and sometimes lifesaving link in the health care team.

    The American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of thousands of foot and ankle surgeons. Their website contains a plethora of information about advances in podiatry and connects its members to share that knowledge.

    FootHealthFacts.org is the official consumer website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. This is a wonderful resource of information! From what foot injuries Olympians have suffered from during the 2012 London Olympics to a growing trend in lawn mower accidents, you will find interesting, informative and compelling articles in the world of Podiatry.

    Patient Forms

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    What Is Hammertoe?
    Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) 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.

     

    Hammertoe2Hammertoes 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 non-surgical treatment.

    Because of the progressive nature of hammertoes, they should receive early attention. Hammertoes never get better without some kind of intervention.

    Causes
    The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle/tendon imbalance. This imbalance, which leads to a bending of the toe, results from mechanical (structural) changes in the foot that occur over time in some people.

    Hammertoe1Hammertoes may be aggravated by shoes that don’t fit properly. A hammertoe may result if a toe is too long and is forced into a cramped position when a tight shoe is worn.

    Occasionally, hammertoe is the result of an earlier trauma to the toe. In some people, hammertoes are inherited.

    Symptoms
    Common symptoms of hammertoes include:

    • Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes.
    • Corns and calluses (a buildup of skin) on the toe, between two toes, or on the ball of the foot. Corns are caused by constant friction against the shoe. They may be soft or hard, depending upon their location.
    • Inflammation, redness, or a burning sensation
    • Contracture of the toe
    • In more severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may form.

    Diagnosis
    Although hammertoes are readily apparent, to arrive at a diagnosis the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot. During the physical examination, the doctor may attempt to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating your foot and will study the contractures of the toes. In addition, the foot and ankle surgeon may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformities and assess any changes that may have occurred. 

    Hammertoes are progressive – they don’t go away by themselves and usually they will get worse over time. However, not all cases are alike – some hammertoes progress more rapidly than others. Once your foot and ankle surgeon has evaluated your hammertoes, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.

    Non-surgical Treatment
    There is a variety of treatment options for hammertoe. The treatment your foot and ankle surgeon selects will depend upon the severity of your hammertoe and other factors.

    A number of non-surgical measures can be undertaken:

    • Padding corns and calluses. Your foot and ankle surgeon can provide or prescribe pads designed to shield corns from irritation. If you want to try over-the-counter pads, avoid the medicated types. Medicated pads are generally not recommended because they may contain a small amount of acid that can be harmful. Consult your surgeon about this option.
    • Changes in shoewear. Avoid shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short, or shoes with high heels – conditions that can force your toe against the front of the shoe. Instead, choose comfortable shoes with a deep, roomy toe box and heels no higher than two inches.
    • Orthotic devices. A custom orthotic device placed in your shoe may help control the muscle/tendon imbalance.
    • Injection therapy. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to ease pain and inflammation caused by hammertoe.
    • Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
    • Splinting/strapping. Splints or small straps may be applied by the surgeon to realign the bent toe.

    When Is Surgery Needed?
    In some cases, usually when the hammertoe has become more rigid and painful, or when an open sore has developed, surgery is needed.

    Often patients with hammertoe have bunions or other foot deformities corrected at the same time. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, the foot and ankle surgeon will take into consideration the extent of your deformity, the number of toes involved, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

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    Monday:

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    Tuesday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Wednesday:

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    Thursday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Friday:

    9:00 AM-12:00 PM

    Saturday:

    Closed

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