April 2022
Blisters on the Feet
Blisters are a common ailment of people who wear shoes that are either too tight or rub against the feet in an uncomfortable way. Knowing the basics of blisters is important for understanding how they are formed and what treatments should be used for them.
A blister on the foot, or any other part of the body, is a small pocket that is filled with fluid. It usually forms on the upper layer of the skin because these layers are loose enough to allow a blister to form. The most common fluid in a blister is just a clear, watery-like fluid that usually isn’t cause for concern. However, blisters can fill up with blood if they are deep enough and pus if they have become infected with bacteria.
Blisters almost always form on the feet due to shoes rubbing up against the foot, where the friction causes blisters. These can occur after you have walked for a long period of time or when your shoes do not fit you properly. Your feet are also more prone to blisters if they are moist, so keeping them dry and clean is one preventative step you can take.
Preventing infection should be the number one concern when treating blisters, as well as relieving the pain they can cause. Using a bandage to cover up the blister will help it heal and prevent bacteria from entering it. New skin will form under the blister and eventually cause it to pop. You can also take a sterilized pin and try to pop it yourself.
If the blister is filled with pus or blood, seeking treatment from a doctor is ideal. Antibiotics may need to be taken in order to completely eliminate the bacteria inside the blister. See a doctor to have an antibiotic prescribed.
The best way to treat blisters is to prevent them all together. Keeping your feet dry and making sure that your shoes fit properly are just two of the steps you can take to prevent blisters. Shoes that are too tight or shoes that are too loose and allow your feet to slide in them will cause blisters. Applying a bandage to an area where you think a blister is about to form is another way you can prevent them.
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board-Certified Physician & Surgeon, Discusses The Newest Bunion Surgery Technique
Bunions can be quite painful for many people. They can begin to interfere with activities and make exercising difficult. Additionally, it can become difficult to find shoe gear that fits properly. Most bunions are a genetic condition that is inherited and develops with time and loading of the foot. Many bunions get bigger as time goes on and eventually require surgical repair. Surgery for a bunion can be broken down into two categories what are called head procedures and base procedures. Today I will only discuss a base procedure as this seems to be the most common question lately.
Base procedures are often used for large bunions and can be a powerful tool to correct the foot. The base procedure is usually further divided into joint sparing procedures and joint destructive procedures. The most asked about procedure currently is the Lapiplasty. The Lapiplasty is a procedure based off a technique described by Paul Lapidus. It involves removing a joint in the foot that is the apex of the bunion deformity. The reason this procedure is so effective is it eliminates the primary cause of the bunion, the hypermobile joint that initiated the development of the bunion.
Lapiplasty is a tool set that is provided to make the Lapidus bunion surgery easier. This is a technique that has been utilized for years however this instrument set is the first of its kind and has helped make this procedure more reproducible. This is the most common bunion procedure I execute as it has great correction and great long-term outcomes. If you have a bunion and would like a consultation, make an appointment today and I can help.
Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
Sincerely,
Board Certified Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Timothy Young, Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Talks About Hallux Limitus Surgery
Dr. Timothy Young, board certified foot and ankle surgeon, talks about hallux limitus surgery for arthritic bone spur removal of the great toe.
Arthritis of the great toe is very common. Usually there is excessive compression on the top of the joint, and over months to years, painful bone spurs or osteophytes can develop. These create even more pressure and pain, and there is often bone on bone contact between these bone spurs. Removal of the bone spur is a very effective treatment for this problem. This surgery is called a cheilectomy. Cheilectomy surgery for arthritis of the great toe is quite straightforward and has a rapid recovery. Cheilectomy surgery is the most basic and simple procedure, from a surgical perspective for this condition.
There are more and fall procedures that can be done such as a decompression osteotomy of the bone, or fusion of the joint. These procedures usually require significant additional protection and recovery time. The surgical procedure itself involves access to the joint with an incision through the tissue layers including the joint capsule. The bone spurs are then exposed and removed surgically. This also involves using a surgical bur to smooth down the top of the joint. It is quite common to fine small loose fragments of bone, which are also removed during the procedure. If there are loose flaps of cartilage, and failure removed and the exposed bone can be drilled to create a fibrocartilage patch.
The joint and wound is flushed and then the layers are repaired and sutured. Recovery involves using a surgical shoe or cast boot. Initially putting weight on the heel for the first few days, and after that for weight with a surgical shoe or cast boot works well. Sutures are typically removed 2 weeks after the surgery. Most of our patients stay in the boot for 3 weeks.
If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain, give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
