Is Dr. Nirenberg a real doctor? Hear what Seinfeld has to say:

Podiatrists, or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), are, in fact, real physicians.

Podiatrists specialize in treating foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists treat all problems related to the foot or ankle, and the variety of cases is endless. However, the most common problems I see are:

• Heel and/or arch pain

• Ingrown toe nails

• Bunions (bumps on the inside of the big toe)

• Hammertoes (bent toes)

• Flat feet

• Foot or ankle arthritis

• Fungal toenails

• Sores (ulcers)

• Infections

• Sprains and fractures

• Ankle pain or weakness

• Nerve problems and neuropathy (numbness, burning, or tingling)

• Shin splints

• Gout

• Athlete’s foot

• Sports medicine and diabetics foot problems

• Children’s foot problems

• Swelling or discoloration

• Plantar warts

• Arthritis of foot and ankle

• Heel spurs

• Arthritis

• Tendonitis

• Blisters

• Corns and Callouses

• Moles, cysts, tumors or lesions

When to Call a Podiatrist:

1. You Have Foot or Ankle Pain

Some aches and pains in our feet or ankles may go away in a day in a two; others do not, and that is when you need to go to a podiatrist.

Many people who see me for a painful foot or ankle have had pain for several days or weeks, but some have been limping around for several months or even over a year!

Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. Don’t ignore it.

However, not all people with foot or ankle problems have pain. For example, diabetics who have neuropathy (a deterioration of the nerves of their feet) may fracture a bone or develop an infection or sore on their foot and not have any pain.

Recently, I had a patient with diabetes come to see me complaining of a small sore on the bottom of their foot; an x-ray revealed a needle inside the foot.

Because the patient had very little feeling in her feet she didn’t know she had stepped on anything sharp.

In all patients, foot and ankle problems can quickly become serious, but diabetics are especially at risk.

Diabetics who don’t seek podiatric care promptly often develop gangrene and need a toe or the whole foot amputated.

Prompt treatment is essential. All diabetics or anyone else with decreased feeling in their feet need to have any foot or ankle problems checked by a podiatrist immediately.

2. You Notice Changes in Your Feet

Some people may notice one foot swelling or flattening.

Diabetics and others with neuropathy may not have pain, however these are the people most at risk for a particularly serious problem called charcot arthropathy.

In charcot arthropathy, the bones of the foot weaken and slide out of position, and may actually break through the bottom of the foot, leading to infection and even amputation.

For other patients, a rapid flattening of one foot may mean the main tendon holding up their foot has torn.

It is a good guideline for anyone who notices swelling, redness, increased warmth, or a change in the shape of his or her foot or ankle to see a podiatrist promptly.

3. You Find Something Abnormal On Your Foot or Ankle

A podiatrist should check any lumps, bumps, cysts, tumors, or moles on your foot or ankles. These problems are usually harmless, but occasionally they can be cancer and life threatening.

Final Thoughts on Foot and Ankle Problems

If you have a foot or ankle problem or pain, the best advice I can give you is: Don’t wait for it to go away—it may not.  

If you experience persistent pain, notice changes in the shape or color of your feet, or find an abnormality, then see your podiatrist right away. To learn more about podiatry, podiatrists, and podiatric medicine, visit the website of the American Podiatric Medical Association

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Outfielder Carlos Quentin, who led the Chicago White Sox in home runs last season, went on the 15-day disabled list Friday with painful plantar fasciitis in his left heel.

The condition causes soreness in the bottom of the heel when you walk or stand. The move was retroactive to Tuesday.

“You have to learn how to play with soreness,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “But it’s hard to play when you’re in pain. That’s two different things — play when you’re sore and play when you’re in pain. And I think he was in pain for all this month and that’s why I think it was hard for him to perform.”

Source: ESPN

Dr. Nirenberg’s Comments:

Plantar fasciitis is number one reason for heel pain.

Surprisingly, heel pain due to plantar fasciitis often occurs after the person has been resting and first starts walk.

Patients often tell me they hate to get out of bed. This isn’t because they want more sleep, but due to excruciating pain in their heel the moment their foot touches the floor.

The pain may ease up or even go away completely as the person continues to walk. However, as soon as they rest and resume walking, it often returns with a vengeance.

Plantar fasciitis is due to an inflammation of the main ligament in our heel. There are many conservative treatments for this problem and surgery is usually not necessary.

Dr. Michael Lacey, my associate, writes:

Many of our elderly or overweight patients believe heel pain is due to their age or weight.

When heel pain is due to plantar fasciitis, age or weight may be part of the problem, but the main issue is usually an abnormality with the structure of the person’s foot. Clearly, Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox is a 26 year old professional athlete in great physical shape!

Nonetheless, he is now on the disabled list—for at least two weeks. He has tried to play through the pain but recently, but it became so severe he had to be carried off the field.

In our practice, plantar fascitis is the most common cause of heel pain and one of the most common ailments that we treat.

If you have plantar fasciitis, see a podiatrist – don’t let it put you on the disabled list.

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