CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS

Patient Education

Our doctor and staff believe that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive patient library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you. Or, for a more comprehensive search of our entire Web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.

As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.

Forms
Patient Instructions
AmeriGel Post Op Kit
Epsom Salt Soaks
Hyperhydrosis (sweaty feet)
Musculoskeletal Pain (heel pain)
Onychomycosis (fungal nails)
Verruca (warts)

Patient Education
Achilles Tendon Disorders
Acute Inflammation
Ankle Fractures
Ankle Sprain
Bunions
Charcot Foot
Chronic Ankle Instability
Crossover Toe
Crutches Instructions
Diabetic Complications
Diabetic Foot Care
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
Flatfoot
Ganglion Cyst
Gout
Haglund's Deformity
Hallux Rigidus
Hammertoe
Heel Pain
Ingrown Toenail
Morton's Neuroma
Osteoarthritis
Pediatric Flatfoot
Pediatric Heel Pain
Personeal Tendon Injuries
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
Puncture Wounds
Tailor's Bunion
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Toe and Metatarsal Fractures

Links
Foot and Ankle Health Associations
The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
American Podiatric Medical Association
Illinois Podiatric Medical Association
Pedorthic Footwear Association

Preferred Vendors
Amerx Health Care Corporation
Bako Pathology Services
Biofreeze
Burns International, Inc.
Dr Jill's Footpads
Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish
Powerstep Insoles

Shoes
Acor
Aetrex Worldwide
Brooks
CrocsRx
Dr. Comfort
Hush Puppies
New Balance
OrthoFeet
Pedors
Safe Step

Our Community Partners
Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers
Advanced Rehab & Sports Medicine Services
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center
Champion Fitness
City of Bloomington
Fox and Hounds Day Spa
Girl Friday Spa and Boutique
Healthy Cells Magazine
Ireland Grove Center for Surgury
McLean County Chamber of Commerce
O.S.F. St. Joseph Medical Center
Town of Normal

Our Partners in Foot Health
Advanced Foot Care Centers, Ira Kraus, DPM, Chattanooga, TN
Affiliates in Podiatry, William McCann, DPM, Concord, NH
Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, Hal Ornstein, DPM, Howell, NJ
Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Ben Weaver, DPM, Wichita, KS
Christie Clinic, Kim Eickmeier, DPM, Champaign, IL
Complete Foot & Ankle, Elizabeth Kurtz, DPM, Chicago, IL
Death By Pedicure, Robert Spalding, DPM, Signal Mountain, TN
Family Foot & Ankle Specialists, Peter Wishnie, DPM, Piscataway, NJ
Family Podiatry Center, Marlene Reid, DPM & Larry Kosova, DPM, Westmont, IL
Foot & Ankle Associates of North Texas, Marybeth Crane, DPM, Grapvine TX
Foot & Ankle Specialists, Bruce Werber, DPM, Mesa, AZ
The Foot Doctor of San Diego, Ronald Worley, DPM, San Diego, CA
Foundation Foot & Ankle Centers, Julie Lester, DPM, Houston TX



Ingrown toenails, also known as onychocryptosis, is usually caused by trimming toenails too short, particularly on the sides of the big toes. They may also be caused by shoe pressure (from shoes that are too tight or short), injury, fungus infection, heredity, or poor foot structure. Ingrown toenails occur when the corners or sides of the toenail dig into the skin, often causing infection. A common ailment, ingrown toenails can be painful. Ingrown toenails start out hard, swollen, and tender. Left untreated, they may become sore, red, and infected and the skin may start to grow over the ingrown toenail.

In most cases, treating ingrown toenails is simple: soak the foot in warm, soapy water several times each day. Avoid wearing tight shoes or socks. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed if an infection is present. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications. In severe cases, if an acute infection occurs, surgical removal of part of the ingrown toenail may be needed. Known as partial nail plate avulsion, the procedure involves injecting the toe with an anesthetic and cutting out the ingrown part of the toenail.

Ingrown toenails can be prevented by:

  • Trimming toenails straight across with no rounded corners.
  • Ensuring that shoes and socks are not too tight.
  • Keeping feet clean at all times.