Can I get skin cancer on my feet?
Cancer can appear anywhere on your body, and your feet are no exception. They may not get as much sun exposure as your head or arms, but your feet can get basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma from too much sun, too. Fortunately, these types of skin cancer are usually slower growing and fairly easy to treat.
A more serious skin cancer on your feet is melanoma. That’s because it is often not caught soon enough for treatment to be effective—as little as half of the patients may survive after diagnosis.
As podiatrists, we strongly encourage you to cover up, use sunscreen, and check your feet closely every month for anything unusual. You’ll soon know what your feet normally look like and can quickly tell if something doesn’t seem right. This includes blue or black pigment, moles that change, sores that don’t heal, redness or scaly patches that spread, and cracking or bleeding.
Don’t wait to contact us if you notice a suspicious spot on your feet. You can call the Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO offices of Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center at (303) 423-2520 or fill out our online contact form for an appointment.
Can I increase blood flow to my feet?
To increase blood flow to your feet and legs, you need to address the underlying causes, like injury, vascular diseases, or unhealthy lifestyles. An injury can cause scar tissue that narrows blood vessels and slows down your circulation. Blood vessel diseases from plaque buildup have the same result. That’s why some common sense lifestyle changes can do so much to improve your health. Here are a few:
- Stop smoking – it constricts your blood vessels
- Exercise – to remove plaque from the artery linings
- Eat right – to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight
- Keep warm – socks and blankets stop cold blood vessels from contracting
- Elevate your feet – to make it easier for blood to return to your heart
Sometimes you may need more help than home remedies. There are medications to help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Surgery using a balloon or a stent is also a possibility, as well as procedures to by-pass the blockage.
When cold feet, leg pain, or other symptoms indicate poor circulation, come visit the foot doctors at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Call our Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO, offices at (303) 423-2520 for an appointment.
Why are my feet always cold?
There are several possible reasons for your cold feet and toes. The most obvious is that they have been exposed to cold air without protection, but there can be many medical conditions behind them as well. A common one is plaque buildup in the blood vessels (peripheral vascular disease) that causes poor blood flow.
Other diseases like diabetes, arteriosclerosis, neuropathy, and Raynaud’s phenomenon could also be the reason your feet feel cold. A common factor in most of these is that they cause the blood vessels to narrow or constrict.
When plaque buildup is the issue, exercise to keep your blood flowing is so important to treat and prevent problems. So is a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which you can monitor at home.
We offer many other treatments at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center when the situation has gotten worse and is causing pain. Medications and surgical procedures can help open up your arteries and veins and increase blood flow to your feet and toes. Call our office in Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO at (303) 423-2520 and let us help you get your toes warm again.
How can I prevent blisters on my feet?
In many cases, preventing blisters mainly comes down to what you put on your feet. Here are some things you need to look for when choosing a pair of running or athletic shoes:
- Comfortable fit, with a good ½” to ¾” space beyond the end of your longest toe
- Wide enough to avoid friction at the sides of the big and pinky toes
- High enough not to rub the tops of your toes
- Lace snugly to hold your heel in place without slipping
- Fit well with the thickest socks you will wear in them
Other tricks to keep blisters away include applying petroleum jelly on hotspots (friction points) before donning your socks, and reapplying as needed. This lubricates your skin to reduce shear between its layers. Using moleskin pads in areas of risk also helps. Adhesive silicone pads act like a second skin to protect tender areas. You can also apply antiperspirant to help keep your feet drier, and use lamb’s wool between toes to reduce friction.
For more helpful hints on lowering your risk for blisters, or to treat a large and painful one, call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center at (303) 423-2520 to set up a visit.
Should I worry if my child’s feet point out?
Worry is not something we encourage, but knowledge, understanding and watchfulness are. Know this: depending on the age of your child, it can be completely normal that his or her feet point out.
Understand that most toddlers begin walking with some degree of in-toeing or out-toeing. Because baby and toddler bones are still soft, this does not cause pain, and as they develop stronger legs, it usually corrects itself.
What you need to watch for is extreme outward turning of the foot, especially if one foot is more affected than the other. Also look for limping, signs that your child is in pain, other delays in their development (such as talking), or a condition that isn’t improving or gets worse.
That’s when you will want to consult a foot specialist like our expert podiatry team at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center. Simply dial (303) 423-2520 to set up an appointment at our Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO, office. We will examine your little one’s feet and either tell you they are completely normal or find the best treatment to improve them, including surgery later if it is needed. In the meantime—don’t worry!
How long does it take to correct clubfoot?
Clubfoot refers to a foot abnormality present at birth in which the feet are twisted inward and out of position. This condition can range from mild to severe, thus the time it takes to correct it can vary accordingly. In most cases, weekly manipulation, along with casting or taping and splinting, will take approximately two months, but special shoes and braces will need to be worn for up to three years. This is also true for cases in which a surgical procedure is necessary for correction. No matter the treatment method, correcting clubfoot takes time, patience, and diligence, but with the help of Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center, your baby can grow up to wear normal shoes and participate in activities any child may choose.
For more information, feel free to contact us at (303) 423-2520 or visit us online or at any of our Colorado locations, including Wheat Ridge and Golden.
How can I treat a pinched nerve?
If you sit funny on a hard surface, your foot or leg can “go to sleep.” The numbness and tingling of a pinched nerve can be truly debilitating for a few moments until pressure is relieved and normal function returns. A compressed nerve can send sharp, shooting pains, too.
Sometimes changing positions helps. Numbness and tingling in your fingers could be relieved with better upper back posture. Pressure on nerves from misaligned bones due to tight calf muscles can be alleviated with certain stretches. Sometimes we can prescribe a splint or brace to hold your bones and soft tissues in a better position. Even better is teaching you exercises to strengthen your muscles, so they can keep your structure aligned naturally without outside aids.
Medications may help as well, either oral or injected. We will guide you in choosing the best ones for your situation. Finally, if nothing else helps, our foot surgeons excel at procedures that relieve nerve pain in your feet.
If nerve compression is causing havoc in your feet, set up an appointment at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center by calling (303) 423-2520 or scheduling online. We are here to help our west Denver neighbors!
Why is my foot always falling asleep?
If your foot falls asleep, it is not because it is tired, although that may contribute to the problem indirectly. It is because a nerve is being pressed hard enough to disable its normal function. You may have other symptoms as well. Your feet could feel numb or itch, and they could be painful.
Numbness in feet can occur for many reasons, such as:
- a temporary pressure from crossed legs, poor posture, or sitting too long in one aspect
- an injury from a traumatic event or repetitive stress
- a misalignment in the bone structure that entraps the nerves
- a bacterial or viral infection that affects their health and function
- inadequate or too much intake of certain vitamins
- your body’s reaction to a toxic substance you breathed or had skin contact with
- a complication of a disease like diabetes or arthritis
You need expert help to determine exactly what is causing the numbness and tingling in your feet. You can find it in our expert staff at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center in Wheat Ridge, CO. Just dial (303) 423-2520 or request an appointment through our website.
What causes tarsal tunnel syndrome?
Tarsal tunnel syndrome refers to pain, numbness, and tingling in your foot due to a pinched nerve. It involves the posterior tibial nerve—the one that runs along the inside of your ankle—which could be compressed in several ways.
The tarsal tunnel is formed by bone and a ligament sheath on the inside of your ankle. The posterior tibial nerve runs through this tunnel. It can be pinched when a bone or tendon presses on it. People with flat feet are more prone to this condition because their ankles often tilt out of position. A tumor, cyst, bone spur, or swollen tendon can pressure the nerve as well. Diseases like arthritis or an injury like a sprain can cause problems because of general swelling in the ankle, too.
If you experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your ankle, or down into your foot and toes, don’t wait to have it tended to. Call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center at (303) 423-2520 to schedule a visit, or ask for one through our webpage. We’ll diagnose what is going on and find a way to relieve your discomfort.
