Last updated 5 days ago
Although the majority of minor toe injuries, such as small cuts and cracked nails, heal completely on their own, there is always a small chance that the wound can become infected and lead to nail fungus.
Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter an open wound. Toenails are particularly susceptible because they are frequently exposed to warm, damp conditions necessary for fungal growth. Symptoms often include discoloration, thickening and cracking of the infected nail, and, in rare circumstances, pain. While traditional treatment often involves the topical ointments and oral medication, podiatrists have begun to use laser treatment as a safe and quick way to treat toenail fungus.
What is laser surgery? Laser surgery is a new method for treating toenail fungus that relies on the heat generated by the laser to penetrate the toenail and kill the fungus underneath. Your podiatrist controls the laser and targets the entire affected area. In addition to being painless, laser surgery does not require the recovery time associated with foot surgery.
How long does laser surgery take? Usually, you’ll need to schedule 3 or 4 sessions over a period of 3 to 4 months. Although the surgery does kill the fungus, it usually takes about a year for new, clear toenails to grow.
Are there any side effects? Unlike oral medications, some of which have serious side effects including liver damage, laser surgery has no side effects whatsoever.
If you think you may be suffering from nail fungus, visit us at Gramercy Park Podiatry. Our friendly, qualified foot doctors will examine your feet and answer any questions you might have regarding laser surgery. Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions or concerns at (615) 620- 5990.
Last updated 12 days ago
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 25.8 million American suffer from diabetes. For many of them, this causes a host of foot ailments, from a slight loss of sensation to more severe problems that warrant foot surgery. Here’s a list of ways in which diabetes can affect the health of your feet:
- Nerve Damage: It is common knowledge that diabetes patients suffer from high blood sugar levels. What is less well-known, however, is that uncontrolled blood sugar can also result in nerve damage, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This is particularly dangerous for patients’ feet, since the loss of sensation makes it difficult to feel small cuts. Left unattended, even minor conditions like bunions can become infected and require bunion surgery.
- Weakened Muscles: Neuropathy of the foot can also result in muscular problems, as nerve sensitivity is crucial for proper foot alignment. Weakened muscles can also lead to other complications like hammertoe, a condition in which the toes curl underneath the feet. If you are diabetic and suffer from hammertoe, you should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible, as you may have to undergo hammertoe surgery.
- Poor Blood Flow: In addition to causing nerve damage, diabetes can also lead to poor blood flow. Decreased blood flow to the extremities compromises your body’s ability to heal injuries. This means that even small cuts have the potential to become infected. In the most serious cases, minor infections can lead to ulcers or gangrene, serious conditions that—if left unattended—may require amputation. For this reason, it is critical that diabetic patients constantly monitor the state of their feet and keep in regular touch with a podiatrist.
If you are diabetic and concerned about foot health, visit us at Gramercy Park Podiatry. In addition to performing hammertoe surgery and bunion surgery, we can also give you regular checkups and tips on how to keep your feet healthy. For questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call us at (615) 620-5990.
Last updated 19 days ago
Although toenail fungus is quite common—it affects approximately 20 to 30 million Americans—the condition is notoriously hard to treat. Traditional medications like topical ointment provide minimal relief, and more powerful oral medication, though effective, can lead to liver damage. For this reason, laser surgery has become an increasingly popular option among podiatrists to treat toenail fungus quickly and effectively.
In this video you can hear Dr. Jeffrey Kleis, a podiatrist who has been practicing for 23 years, discuss the problem of toenail fungus and the possible treatment options for patients. As he explains, laser surgery has become his treatment of choice, and it has proven effective for hundreds of his patients. While all laser treatments are pain free and quick, Dr. Kleis prefers the CuteraGenesis Plus because its larger spot size makes it easier to cover the infected area comprehensively. It also reduces the treatment time to around 25 minutes per session.
If you have any questions about laser surgery or about the CuteraGenesis specifically, call Gramercy Park Podiatry at (615) 620-5990. Our group of professional podiatrists treats a variety of foot ailments, including toenail fungus.
Last updated 26 days ago
Are you at risk for developing a neuroma? What is the difference between a stress fracture and a general bone fracture? Learn more about fractures and ways you can prevent a foot neuroma with these great resources.
- Check out this article from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov for more information on Morton's neuroma.
- Find out if you’re at risk for developing a neuroma with this link from MayoClinic.com.
- Visit this link from the New York Times for more information on broken bones.
For more information on our services, give Gramercy Park Podiatry a call at (866) 956-7964 today!
Last updated 1 month ago
Next to sprains and strains, bone fractures are among some of the most common foot-related injuries. There are a number of different types of bone fractures, which means that it is important to visit a foot doctor if you suspect that you are suffering from a fracture, as only they can properly diagnose the problem.
Stress Fractures
A stress fracture tends to affect the bones of the forefoot that extend from the toes into the middle of the foot. Stress fractures can be caused by sudden increases in exercise and are often described as tiny cracks in the surface of the bone. Common activities that may lead to stress fractures include running, walking for long distances, improper training techniques, or running on uneven surfaces. There are several symptoms of a stress fracture in the foot, including:
- Pain that increases gradually with weight-bearing activities
- Pain that is more severe during normal, daily activities
- Tenderness to the touch
- Bruising
- Swelling near the area of the fracture
General Bone Fractures
General bone fractures differ from stress fractures in that they extend through the bone. These may be stable without any type of shift in the bone alignment or displaced, in which the bone ends do not line up properly. Unlike stress fractures that are caused by constant or increased exercise, general bone fractures are usually caused by trauma or a twisting injury. There are two types of general bone fractures; closed fractures that do not puncture the skin, and open fractures which break through the tissue.
The foot doctors at Gramercy Park Podiatry offer comprehensive treatment plans involving conditions of the foot and ankle. For more information on hammertoe surgery, bunion surgery, or treatment for bone fractures, visit us online or call (212) 995-1500.
