Spooky Sounding Foot Disorders

October is the month for scary activities, and so here at Goldsmith Podiatry we thought we’d offer Manhattan patients our own Halloween contribution with some information on podiatric conditions that sound rather scary—but are quite treatable. Read on for some frightful-sounding foot problems.

Onychomycosis—do you have toenails that are thick and yellow with crumbly edges? If so, you may have onychomycosis—also known as toenail fungus. It’s caused by an organism that grows in or under the nail and loves warm, moist places like the insides of your shoes or gym locker rooms. Fungal nails are contagious and often spread in nail salons and at community pools. Onychomycosis can be difficult to eliminate. Our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff use a laser to treat fungal toenails painlessly and without any down time. There are also topical and oral medications available to eliminate this unsightly condition.

Ganglion Cyst—although this may sound like it comes from outer space, ganglion actually means knot and that’s what the mass of tissue looks like under the skin. Ganglion cysts are benign and most often form on the top of the foot although they can appear in other parts as well. Although relatively harmless, ganglion cysts can cause discomfort if they are pressing on a nerve or rub against your shoes. The cyst may get larger, smaller, or even disappear on its own. Most of the time the podiatrist will just monitor the cyst if it’s not causing you any problems. Needle aspiration and steroid injections can be used to treat ganglion cysts and surgery if they are particularly bothersome.

Calcaneal Apophysitis—the alternative name for this condition—Sever’s disease—is no less off-putting. This condition affects youth whose growth and development are not complete—typically between the ages of 8 and 15. The calcaneus is the heel bone and the growth plate at the back of the heel can become painfully inflamed due to overuse and repetitive stress. That’s why many serious young athletes with intensive sports schedules and not much break between seasons, is most often afflicted. There are several conservative treatment methods, including shoe modifications and physical therapy, along with preventive measures, such as limiting the use of cleats and avoiding being overweight that the podiatrist may recommend.

Don’t ever be afraid to contact our Upper West Side office by calling: 212-877-1002 with your podiatric concerns and questions. Most foot problems—even those that may look scary—can be treated conservatively and successfully.