Los Angeles Foot and Ankle Center

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If you have diabetes, don’t allow COVID to keep you from visiting your podiatrist. An untreated diabetic foot ulcer can lead to an amputation. Keep your appointment, and keep your foot. Learn more at www.apma.org/diabeticwoundcare.

Extensor Tendinitis Extensor tendons are in your hands and feet. The extensor tendons in your hands help you move your fingers, thumbs, and wrists. T...he extensor tendons in your feet attach the muscles at the front of your legs to the toes and run across the top of your feet with very little padding to protect them from a variety of injuries. These tendons have an important job and are in vulnerable locations. If you’ve been diagnosed with extensor tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons, in your feet, it’s likely because you spend a lot of time on your feet or wearing shoes that are too tight. If you have extensor tendonitis in your hands, it’s usually due to excessive use of the tendons in a short amount of time, or from sports or other activities that use the wrists. The extensor tendons to the foot come from the relatively small muscles in the front of the leg. The two main extensor muscles are the Extensor Hallucis Longus muscle (EHL) and the Extensor Digitrorum Longus muscle (EDL). The tendons from these muscles cross the front of the ankle, pass across the top of the foot and attach into the big toe (EHL) and lesser toes (EDL). Causes The most common cause is overuse of the muscles, bones, and tendons in the feet or hands. In the feet, it’s most often caused by: spending a lot of time on the feet wearing shoes that are too tight using inappropriate footwear for a sport or activity In the hands, the most common cause of extensor tendonitis is doing an activity that uses the hands and wrists in a repetitive motion such as: prolonged or high impact typing with a non-ergonomic keyboard practicing or playing an instrument, such as piano or guitar, excessively regularly playing sports that stress hands and wrists, including baseball or racquetball Mallet finger is a common type of injury that occurs to the fingers, especially in athletes. It occurs when the tip of the finger is struck hard, such as with a ball, which injures the tendon that runs along the top of the finger. Without treatment, the tendon can become permanently damaged, causing the tip of the finger to fail to straighten completely. Symptoms The most common symptom of extensor tendonitis, whether it occurs in the foot or the hand, is pain. In the feet, the pain is usually localized to the top of the foot, usually close to the center of the foot. In the hands, pain tends to occur on the top of the hand. Other symptoms of extensor tendonitis include: redness, warmth or swelling near the injury increased discomfort with activity crepitus, which is a crunchy feeling or sound over the affected tendon stiffness of the joint

Can feet go bald? While you may be thrilled to see unsightly hair on your feet and ankles disappear, it’s actually a sign that you need to make an appointment t...o see your podiatrist. Loss of hair could indicate serious conditions such as vascular disease or diabetes. Visit your podiatrist today! www.apma.org/findapodiatrist See more

Hammer toe and Claw toe difference: A hammertoe is a term used to describe a crooked, deviated, or contracted toe. Although the condition usually stems from m...uscle imbalance, it is often aggravated by poor-fitting shoes or socks that cramp the toes. Over a period of years, the tendons that move the toe up and down begin to pull the toe with unequal tension, and the toe then begins to buckle or become contracted, causing an abnormal v-shaped bending of the little toes. Patients with this condition often experience pain, swelling, redness and stiffness in the affected toes. The term hammertoe is almost synonymous with claw toes. The main difference between these two conditions is the position of the MTP joint (in hammertoes this joint is not displaced). METATARSALGIA Patients with metatarsalgia present with pain in their forefoot, usually in the ball of the foot. The pain is often described as aching and it is typically aggravated by standing and walking. In general metatarsalgia is caused by repetitive overloading of the forefoot leading to chronic localized tissue injury. Often the most symptomatic area is at the base of the 2nd or 3rd toe. Factors that may predispose to the development of metatarsalgia include: a bunion deformity, arthritis of the great toe, ligament instability of the midfoot, an excessively tight calf muscle, a congenital foot deformity, and claw toe deformities. Causes When you walk, run, or jump, your weight transfers to your toes and metatarsal bones. If your weight is unevenly distributed in one area, your foot can become painful and inflamed. Symptoms Common symptoms of metatarsalgia include pain in or around the: Ball of the foot. Big toe or second, third, and fourth toes. You may also feel pain when you: Flex your foot. Walk barefoot, especially on a hard surface. This may feel like walking on pebbles or having a stone in the ball of your foot. METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT SYNOVITIS The metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) is located in the forefoot where the metatarsal and phalanx bones meet. Synovitis is a swelling of the joint lining. MTP synovitis is a common disorder caused by excessive stress on that joint, usually exacerbated by activity. The ligaments loosen and the joint may develop instability. People with rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk of developing MTP synovitis. MTP synovitis causes pain in the forefoot and sometimes results in an overlapping of the toes. There is often a swelling on the top of the foot near the toes. Patients may experience difficulty walking and wearing shoes as the foot becomes more and more inflamed. MORTON’S NEUROMA In the foot, there are the long bones (metatarsals) and thin nerves running between them. The nerves split in a Y-shape when they reach the toes. If the metatarsals move abnormally, they can pinch the nerve between them, which causes inflammation and, eventually, permanent nerve damage. Morton’s neuroma is the most common of this type and affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes.

If your kids are playing fall sports, keep an eye on their feet. Sweaty shoes and locker rooms can be breeding grounds for conditions like athlete’s foot. Read more about the symptoms and when you need to see a podiatrist at www.apma.org/athletesfoot.

6 things to consider if you have swelling in the legs and feet.

One hallmark symptom of plantar fasciitis? Pain in the bottom of your foot. You might notice that it’s worse in the morning when you first wake up or when you’re standing after having sat for a long time.

Achy feet? These three conditions -- plantar fasciitis, corns, and bunions -- are the cause of a lot of foot pain.

Do you have heel pain that won’t go away? This is one of the newest minimally invasive surgical options and does not require any incisions. The Topaz device creates micro tears within the fascia for lengthening and addresses the chronic inflammation and pain. This is a short out patient 15 minute procedure performed under sedation. This leads to a short recovery and quick return to activities. . . . #plantarfasciitis #heelpain #plantarfasciitissucks #plantarfasciitisrelief #topazheel #smithandnephew #footpainrelief

Cracked heels can be painful and lead to possible infection. Here's how to keep your feet happy and healthy: