Has your heel pain lingered even though you've stayed off your feet and taken pain relievers? When home care doesn't help your symptoms, your foot doctor can offer effective treatment options. Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas provide the care you need to get back on your feet.

Why do my heels hurt?

Hurt pain occurs due to a variety of issues. If you've ever stepped on a rock or small toy, you've probably experienced a stone bruise, an injury that affects the fat pad over your heel bone. You may also develop a stone bruise if you run or exercise in shoes that don't offer enough support or cushioning. Although heel pain due to stone bruises usually subsides without treatment in a week or two, symptoms of other conditions can last much longer. Common causes of lingering heel pain include:

• Plantar Fasciitis: If you run your hand along the bottom of your foot, you'll feel a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia. The fascia, which connects your toes to your heels, can become inflamed and cause pain in the heel. If you have plantar fasciitis, pain may be worse first thing in the morning and may lessen as you become more active. Walking after long periods of sitting can cause it to flare up again. Runners and people who spend long periods on their feet are more likely to develop the condition, although obesity, arch issues, and foot imbalances are other risk factors. You may be able to manage mild pain at home, but it's a good idea to visit your Wesley Chapel foot doctor if the pain is severe or interferes with your normal activities.
• Heel Fissures: Deep cracks that form in the skin of your heel can be very painful. Moisturizing the skin can help heel shallow fissures, but you may need podiatric care if the fissures are deep, extremely painful, or infected.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Heel pain may also occur due to inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury that's particularly common in people over 40. It may be more likely to occur if you have flat feet, don't replace worn-out shoes promptly, have high blood pressure or take certain antibiotics.

Your podiatrist offers a variety of treatments that offer real relief for heal pain. It's particularly important to make an appointment if you have ongoing or severe pain, as ignoring the pain may lead to arthritis or chronic pain in some cases.

Ease your heel pain with a visit to the foot doctor. Call Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas at (813) 909-0865 to schedule your appointment.

Due to its location, an ankle problem like arthritis can quickly affect your quality of life, causing difficulty performing simple tasks like walking or standing. Unfortunately, many severe ankle issues require surgery to correct the joint. In some cases, a total ankle replacement, known medically as total ankle arthroplasty, becomes necessary. Find out more about total ankle replacement and how it can help you and your condition with Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Land O’ Lakes, FL.

What is a total ankle replacement? 
Total ankle replacement surgery treats severe arthritis in the ankle joint. The surgery restores functionality and range of motion to the ankle joint and relieves pain associated with the condition. Your foot and ankle doctor is the best source of information you have on total ankle replacement and whether it is right for you and your situation.

Do I need a total ankle replacement? 
Your doctor may recommend a total ankle replacement if you have pain which affects your daily life and tasks. If your ankle pain is not changed by over-the-counter medications or bracing efforts, you may be a candidate for a total ankle replacement. 

What can I expect after a total ankle replacement? 
While your surgery only takes about two and a half hours, your recovery is crucial to the health of your ankle in the future. You will recover in the hospital for two to three days and be allowed to go home once you can confidently walk on crutches. You will need to rest and stay off the ankle for about six weeks in order to allow it to heal correctly. Following your doctor’s aftercare and recovery instruction exactly is key to your ankle healing successfully.

Total Ankle Replacement in Land O’ Lakes, FL 
If you think you need a total ankle replacement your podiatrist can help you determine if this procedure is the best course of treatment for you. For more information on total ankle replacements or how one can help you get back on your feet, please contact Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Land O’ Lakes, FL. Call 813-909-0865 to schedule your appointment with your podiatrist today!

Do you keep your feet hidden from view because you feel embarrassed by your yellow toenails? Treating toenail fungus can be challenging. Even if you faithfully apply over-the-counter products, you may see no change in your nails despite months of treatment. Our Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists, Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas, discuss toenail fungus and explain what can be done to treat it.

What caused my toenails to turn yellow?

Your toenail turns an unsightly shade of yellow when it's infected by dermatophytes, fungi that consume keratin, a protein found in nails. It's very easy to catch the fungus. In fact, you can pick it up if you walk barefoot in public locker rooms or pool areas or share socks, shoes, towels or sheets with someone has toenail fungus.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing an infection, including:

• Your Age: As you grow older, it's not unusual for small cracks to form in your nails. Even the smallest crack or break in your nail can provide the perfect opportunity for fungi to enter your nail.
• Sweaty Feet: Fungi thrive in the moist, dark environments. If your feet perspire heavily when you wear socks or shoes, your risk of toenail fungus may rise.
• A Nail Injury: Did your fungal infection develop after you dropped something on your foot? Injuries to your nails also raise your risk.
• Diseases and Conditions: Toenail fungus is more common in people who have immune system disorders, diabetes and circulation problems.

How can my foot doctor help?

Podiatrists offer effective treatments that can finally clear your nails. When you visit our Wesley Chapel office, we may recommend one or more of these options:

• Medicated Creams and Polishes: These topical medications are stronger than drugstore products and penetrate the deeper layers of your nail to kill fungus.
• Oral Anti-Fungal Medications: Oral medications usually resolve fungal infections in six to 12 weeks. Although the medication is very effective, it's not recommended if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
• Nail Removal: If the fungus doesn't respond to treatment, we may suggest removing your nail. Nail removal allows easy treatment of the fungi on your nail bed.
• Laser Treatment: Laser treatment, the newest toenail fungus treatment method, destroys fungus by heating the yellow pigment with short laser bursts.

Improve the condition of your nails with toenail fungus treatment. Call our Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists, Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas, at (813) 909-0865 to schedule your appointment.

If you have an ingrown toenail find out how to best treat the problem.

Many people have experienced an ingrown toenail; however, if you never have before and you are noticing pain or swelling near a toenail you may wonder if your symptoms could be indicative of an ingrown toenail. From the office of our Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas, find out the telltale signs of an ingrown toenail and what you should do.

What is an ingrown toenail?

This condition occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the skin. While this can occur in any toenail, it most often happens to the big toe.

Why do ingrown toenails happen?

Anyone can develop an ingrown toenail; however, there are certain factors that can increase your chances of developing this painful condition. The most common factor is cutting your toenail improperly. A lot of people still try to trim their nails so they are curved or a bit too short. If you trim your nails too short (below the tips of your toes) or at a curve you are leaving your nails at risk.

Also, if you wear shoes that are too small or narrow and they put pressure on your toes, this could lead to an ingrown toenail. Athletes can also be at an increased risk for developing an ingrown toenail.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

In the beginning, you may just notice localized pain at the corner of the nail where the nail meets the skin. The skin may be swollen or tender to the touch. You may also notice increased tenderness when wearing shoe.

If you experience pain, pus or redness around the area then you could be dealing with an infection. It’s important that you turn to our Wesley Chapel, FL, foot doctors if you think you might have an infected ingrown toenail, especially if you have a weak immune system or diabetes (as this same problem could easily turn into a more serious health complication).

How is this problem treated?

If you aren’t dealing with an infection then your ingrown toenail can easily be managed from the comfort of your own home. Soaking your feet in warm water for up to 20 minutes several times a day can help ease discomfort. You can also try to carefully lift the edge of the toenail away from the skin by placing a part of a cotton ball under the nail.

In some cases, our podiatrists may even prescribe an antibiotic or steroid gel to prevent an infection from occurring. If symptoms don’t improve after a couple of days of at-home care, or if the pain gets worse, then it’s time to come into our office for treatment.

If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to call Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Wesley Chapel, FL, to find out whether it’s worth coming into our office for care. Our podiatry team is here to make sure that you get the comprehensive care you deserve.

If you suffer from diabetes, chances are you have an extended daily routine which includes testing your blood sugar, eating healthily, and leading an active and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, you may not realize that you should also take the health of your feet into consideration when performing simple daily tasks like putting on your shoes. Do you know how you should care for your feet as a diabetic? Find out with podiatrists Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Land O’ Lakes, FL.

Why is diabetic foot care important? 
An unfortunate side effect of diabetes is decreased blood flow in the extremities like the hands and feet. This decreased blood flow can cause numbness, which can, in turn, cause injuries or conditions to go unnoticed. This means that something as simple as a rock in your shoe can cause a cut, and if left untreated it can become infected and cause serious conditions like gangrene, which requires amputation. This makes daily foot care crucial to maintaining your foot and overall health.

How should I care for my feet? 
Give your feet the once-over every morning and every night, taking into account any new bruises, irritations, cuts, scrapes, or other abnormalities. Ensure that your feet remain clean and dry and wear fresh socks every day. While cutting your toenails, make sure that you cut them straight across to decrease the risk of ingrown toenails. Always shake your shoes out before you put them on to ensure that there are no stray rocks or other debris which could cause damage to your feet.

Foot Examinations in Land O’ Lakes, FL 
If you have diabetes, you could benefit from a foot examination with your podiatrist. The examination itself will include a physical exam where your doctor will examine the feet and, if necessary, use x-rays or MRIs to examine their bones and connective tissues. For more information on caring for your feet, please contact Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Land O’ Lakes, FL. Call (813) 909-0865 to schedule your appointment with your podiatrist today!