Blog Archive
When you think of orthotics, you might picture the store-bought versions you find at the pharmacy. These shoe inserts can provide some added cushioning or a little bit of arch support. They don’t, however, have the same capacity to help your feet as custom orthotics you get from a podiatrist. ...
Many people use the phrase “pain in the neck” to describe something that’s persistently troublesome, but “pain in the heel” might be more apt. When you have heel pain, every step you take becomes a problem. If this issue sounds familiar, you probably want to clear it up as quickly...
When you first get out of bed, you want to begin your day strong. But if you immediately have pain in your heel, it starts you off on the wrong foot — somewhat literally. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to make an appointment with Christopher Vittori, DPM, or Ameet...
Ideally, your toes extend straight out from your foot, helping to propel you forward while making it easier to balance. But an issue with the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your toes can make a toe curl up on itself. If the middle joints of your toe are higher than...
When you sleep, your body does critical healing work. As a result, you might think you would wake up feeling your best. For some people, though, those first few steps after getting out of bed are some of the most uncomfortable of the day. If that sounds familiar, it’s time...
As medical science advances, new treatments enter the scene. That’s particularly exciting for people dealing with a chronic condition like neuropathy. In recent years, more and more research has revealed the effectiveness of laser therapy for neuropathy. Using specialized types of lasers to generate energy where your cells need it...
Our feet get exposed to a lot, particularly if we spend time barefoot. You don’t just run the risk of a stubbed toe or stepping on something sharp. Going barefoot can also expose your feet to infections living on the ground. Toenail fungus is a perfect example. The fungus behind...
A diabetes diagnosis changes your life in a wide range of ways — all the way down to your feet. Specifically, diabetes impacts blood flow in your feet, which can lead to a number of complications. Fortunately, you can do a lot to avoid issues — from slow-healing wounds to...
You know your muscles enable your movement and your bones provide structure and stability to your body. But how often do you think about the piece that connects them: your tendons? Because they link muscle to bone, you need healthy, strong tendons to move your best. That’s particularly true when...
At first, a bunion isn’t more than a cosmetic annoyance. But, if you let it worsen, the toe joint misalignment causing that bony bump can turn into a major problem. Your bunion might cause you pain with each step and make it impossible to wear certain types of shoes, for...
The microwave is one of the marvels of the modern age. Many of us take these devices for granted now, but the microwaves that power these small, ultra-convenient ovens continue to unlock new advances. Specifically, those microwaves’ ability to safely produce heat can be a game-changer when you’re dealing with...
Your heels do a lot for your body, bearing your weight with every step you take. It’s not surprising, then, that they often run into issues. In fact, if your heel is hurting, quite a few different health conditions could be to blame. We can help you figure out what’s...
Your foot is a complex network of parts, including more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Your ankles are similarly complicated. All of these components need to work together to keep you upright and propel you forward as you move through your day. Over time, though, life can take its...
At first, a bunion usually feels more like a cosmetic issue than anything else. Sure, you may not love the way that extra bump on the outside of your big toe looks. But with winter fast approaching here in Illinois, you might assume it’s going to be covered by shoes...
You know that there are tiny organisms that you can’t see scattered throughout your day. Most of the time, you don’t need to think about them. But, there’s one situation in which you should pay attention to these microscopic things: when they affect your toenails. The organisms that cause toenail...
Your whole body changes during pregnancy, and you might notice the effects from your face all the way down to your feet. In fact, by the time you reach your third trimester, your feet might be going through major changes. Fortunately, employing a few tips can help you keep the...
While scientists don’t fully understand what causes bunions, they believe it’s a combination of lifestyle choices and genetic factors. If you have a family member with bunions — especially if they are a parent, sibling, or child — your risk of developing this foot problem goes up. The good news?...
Your foot has 33 joints, and they all need to function properly for you to get the stability and balance needed to move throughout your day pain-free. Unfortunately, one of those joints — the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of your big toe — often runs into problems. A deformity...
Ankle sprains happen all the time. As you walk, run, jump, and more, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your ankles have to continuously work to keep you stable. Sometimes, they just can’t keep up. So whether you rolled your ankle walking off a curb, playing a sport, or doing...
Kids get sick more frequently than adults. From the seasonal illnesses that circulate in daycare facilities and schools to their proclivity for putting their hands in their mouths, their little immune systems have tall tasks ahead of them. It’s not just about the cold and flu, either. As it turns...
Roughly 1 in 3 people will experience an uncomfortable foot problem called Morton’s neuroma. This issue develops when nerve tissue in your foot gets inflamed as a result of repeated compression. The thickened tissue causes mild discomfort in its early days. Left unchecked, though, it can make it painful to take even...
Everyone’s feet are different. You might have a high arch, while someone else has a long second toe. To some extent, foot differences can be chalked up to our unique makeup. Some differences are worth watching out for, though. Take a bend in the middle of your second, third, or...
It’s called an Achilles heel for a reason. While this tendon generally is a strong part of your body — able to withstand more than 1,000 pounds of force — once something goes wrong, it becomes a weak spot. Even Achilles tendonitis can put you out of commission for 12...
If you have foot or ankle problems, you’ve probably learned to be picky about your shoes. In fact, you might have spent hours trying on different pairs to give your lower limbs the support and/or cushioning they need. With custom orthotics — or shoe inserts specifically made for your foot — you...
Medical technology advances year after year, and that’s good news for patients. As we better understand our bodies and unlock new technological applications, we continually uncover new, better treatments. Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy is a perfect example. With this innovative system, Christopher Vittori, DPM, Ameet Thakrar, DPM, and our team at Vittori...
A diabetes diagnosis changes your life. You probably adjust your diet and visit your doctor more regularly. You might avoid certain foods while trying to eat more of others. And you start checking your feet regularly. Or, at least, you should. Your body’s inability to keep your blood sugar regulated...
It’s one of the most common — and most inconvenient — injuries: a sprained ankle. You rely on your ankle to stabilize you as you move around. But you probably don’t give it much thought until it has a problem. Then, once you sprain it, you realize just how much...
As far as skin conditions go, warts aren’t too bad. They usually heal on their own and don’t come with any lasting complications. That said, they can be painful — especially plantar warts on the bottom of your feet — and they’re easy to spread. As a result, you should...
Everyone’s feet look a little different. Some people have long toes; others have a bony bump at the base of their big toe (a bunion). Some people’s toes extend straight out and lie flat. But if you have a bend in the middle joint of your toe that prevents it...
If you’ve ever spent time looking at your newborn’s foot (a likelihood for many parents), you probably noticed the smoothness of their soles. That isn’t just attributed to their unblemished baby skin. Out of the womb, we all have flat feet. In fact, it takes years for our bodies to...
Diabetes affects your life in a range of ways, some of them more surprising than others. A lot of people live with diabetes for a while before they learn that they should be giving special attention to their feet, for example. The issue is that diabetes-related foot problems can creep...
Most of us lead pretty busy lives. That means you probably only want to make a doctor’s appointment when it’s truly necessary. When you notice an ingrown toenail, you might want to know if you can wait it out. The answer is a little complicated. Technically, no, an ingrown toenail...
If you ask a doctor about warts, they’ll most likely tell you that they’re harmless. Because they’re benign growths, they might not pose a threat to your overall health. But if they cause you discomfort or embarrassment, we’d argue that they’re anything but harmless. That’s why Christopher Vittori, DPM, and...
When you think about issues with your feet, you probably expect it to be a later-in-life challenge. Surprisingly, though, children and teens actually have a fairly high probability of dealing with podiatric problems. Keep an eye on your kids’ feet, watching how they walk and checking them periodically. That way,...
When you first learned you were pregnant, you probably gave a lot of thought to the ways your body would change over the coming months. Since pregnancy transforms everything from your skin to your hormone levels, you most likely braced yourself. Even so, there’s one important area that’s easy to...
If you live with foot or ankle discomfort, you’ve probably thought about — or already tried — shoe inserts. Even as an over-the-counter solution, a little more padding or support in your shoe can go a long way toward improving your comfort. But that’s just the start. When you get a...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation. It can affect virtually any joint in your body, including the joints in your feet. It can even cause bunions. Fortunately, if RA does cause a bunion, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, are here to help. At...
Although sandal season might be wrapping up, there’s no good time of year to deal with toenail fungus. In fact, if your fungal infection escalates, it can make closed-toes shoes uncomfortable, a major problem during winter weather. The good news? If you do get toenail fungus, Christopher Vittori, DPM, Ameet...
Diabetes changes a lot about your life. That should include the amount of attention you pay to your feet. While you might not see an immediate connection between diabetes and foot care, implementing a habit of checking your feet can save you from one of the worst complications of diabetes:...
Everyone’s feet look a little different. Some people’s toes are longer, and some toes don’t stick straight out from the foot. That could leave you thinking your toe bend is normal. But if you have a toe that bends at the middle joint, even when your foot is relaxed, you...
You probably don’t think much about your toenails. Even a little tenderness or redness around part of your nail might not feel like it warrants much attention. But if you have an ingrown nail and you leave it to fester, you could be setting yourself up for a riskier situation...
We don’t think much about our heels until they give us problems. These weight-bearing parts of our body do a lot for us — and all of that work can take its toll. Fortunately, most heel pain is highly treatable. Effective treatments starts with identifying the root cause of your heel...
While ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries, not all sprains are equal. Some people bounce back from their sprain within a few days. Others heal, only to resprain the ankle soon after. Those people aren’t the unlucky few. In fact, prior ankle injuries are one of...
After a long winter, the warming weather feels like a welcome sign to many. But if you live with toenail fungus, you might be less enthusiastic about the upcoming summer months. There is good news, though. For starters, you’re not alone. As many as 1 in 10 people deal with...
Each year, more people throughout the world are benefitting from foot orthotics and for good reason. When you slip these customized devices into your shoes for better alignment, the benefits are especially pronounced. Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialists in South West Chicago is known as the premier place for customized...
Foot Numbness: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments Losing the sense of feeling in your feet and toes can be disturbing, stressful, and unsettling. The loss of feeling can affect your everyday responsibilities and activities such as work, exercising, walking, and standing. Though numbness and tingling in your feet and ankles might...
Simple lumps and bumps can appear anywhere on your feet. Most growths do not pose a severe risk to your overall health, but they can be troublesome. When on the foot or the ankle, a cyst can cause severe discomfort and it needs to be treated right away. Cysts can...
The holiday season is officially here; Christmas is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate the time for giving than the perfect guide to giving your feet some much needed extra attention? It’s no secret that the holiday season is full of running around and can be exhausting; even...
Common Reason to Visit Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialists Foot and ankle conditions are unbearable and put your day to day life on hold, something that many people with active/working lifestyles do not have the luxury of taking. A sad truth to feet or ankle problems is that patients do...
When it comes to something strange on your foot that puts you in discomfort and makes you worried about possible harmful causes, you deserve to know what it is, does it need to be treated, and what you should do. Dry skin and Athletes Foot are two very common issues,...
What’s the Difference Between Foot Corns & Calluses? Have you started to notice that there is a hard crust like area on the skin of your foot? Does it cause irritation and pain? Well, you may have corns or calluses on your foot. Neither of these two are harmful; they...
Amniotic Fluid Injection Treatments Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common injuries across the globe and affects all ages. Injuries can be the result of a variety of different factors. It can leave many people with chronic and severe pain, taking a toll on the everyday lives and...
Best Ways to Treat Toenail Fungus Conditions – (Homer Glen & New Lenox) Nail fungus is a medical condition that, unfortunately, can affect millions of Americans every year, and knowing how to properly treat it is something that everyone should be aware of. A common problem many of our patients...
Wear stylish shoes, while comfortably keeping your feet & ankles healthy What is one thing that every perfect outfit needs? The perfect pair of shoes. On that not only goes along with your outfit but also ones that will dazzle all of the other people that get to see you...
Podiatrist Prescribed Custom Orthotics vs Over-the-Counter Insoles A large number of foot and ankle conditions share something in common: they can be treated or prevented through the use of custom orthotic devices. In simple terms, an orthotic device is an insert for the heel or a pad for the foot,...
Proper Footwear is Essential to Overall Health How much thought do you give to the shoes you buy? Do you buy shoes based on style; how comfortable they are; how suitable they are for work or sports? What about health – do you factor in how your shoes may affect...
Holiday Season Foot & Ankle Health Tips Give yourself the ultimate gift this festive season by improving the health of your feet and ankles over the holidays and long into the New Year. With our four helpful tips, you’ll know how to take better care of your feet and ankles...
Common Causes of Heel Pain Healthy heels are important for leading a healthy lifestyle, where you can partake in your favorite hobbies, go to work without heel pain and enjoy life without movement restrictions holding you back. The heel is responsible for absorbing the impact of your body weight when...