The central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects the nerves from those areas to the rest of your body. The primary job of the peripheral nerves is to deliver information about physical sensations from your body back to your brain. Peripheral neuropathy...
Warts are rough, hard, and scaly growths that can appear anywhere on the body. They vary in size from as small as a poppy seed to as large as a pea. They also vary in color, showing up as white, tan, pink, grey, or flesh-colored. Sometimes, they contain small, black...
For each mile you walk, you place 60 tons of stress on each foot. That’s a heavy load, but your feet can handle it. Too much stress, though, can cause a damaged, painful heel, the most common issue that affects the foot and ankle. When you continue activity despite a...
Neuropathy refers to any diseased condition of the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy covers damage to nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, called, appropriately, the peripheral nerves. The condition manifests with weakness, numbness or tingling, and pain, most often in the hands and feet, though it can affect other areas...
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition in the heel. It results from inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot and connecting your heel bone to the bones of your toes. Plantar fasciitis often causes a stabbing pain when you take...
Bunions, or bony bumps that jut out from the base of the big toe joints, are the product of a progressive bone disorder. They develop due to a structural problem in the bones of the feet and toes, usually in the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. The phalangeal bone of the big...
The ankle is the part of the body most injured in sports activities — accounting for 10-30% of all sports injuries — and a sprain is one of the most common ankle injuries. A sprain occurs when you twist, turn, or roll your ankle beyond its normal limit, which can...
You’re having foot surgery. You know where you’re supposed to go and what time you’re supposed to be there. You’re prepared, right? Absolutely not. First, you have to set up your home to accommodate your rehabilitation. Podiatric physician and surgeon Dr. Elliott Perel of Monroe Foot & Ankle Care in...
If you’re suffering from foot, leg, or back problems, your doctor may prescribe orthotics for you. Orthotics are special inserts you place in your shoes to help correct problems with the mechanics of balance and walking due to deformity or disease. Orthotics can be purchased over-the-counter at drug stores, but...
We all tend to take our health and wellness for granted until something goes wrong and we lose function of one or more body parts — especially your feet. If you have foot or ankle pain, you stop moving and your whole world comes to a halt. Depending on what’s...
Spraining an ankle is a common injury that can be quite painful and debilitating. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the time to heal properly and end up reinjuring the ankle. Being patient is essential. After the initial healing period of an ankle sprain has been completed (which can vary from...