4 Symptoms that May Lead to a Surprising Diagnosis

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It’s important to get in the habit of checking your feet on a regular basis. Sometimes at Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC we find that seemingly minor symptoms may actually be pointing to a serious health problem that goes way beyond a patient’s feet. Here are a few signs that you shouldn’t ignore in your feet and what they may mean:

  1. Changes in your toenails—most often toenail changes are caused by a fungal infection but sometimes they can indicate something more. If you notice ridges, tiny holes or grooves in your toenails it can be a sign of psoriasis. Pitting or indentations in your toenails can be a sign of anemia or lupus. 
  2. Very dry skin or excessive sweating—either of these symptoms can occur as the result of a thyroid disorder. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control tissue and skeletal growth, blood pressure, nervous system development and metabolic rate. If the gland is over or under active early signs can show up in your feet.
  3. Swelling—swelling in your feet or ankles can be a sign of a circulation dysfunction which is a symptom of several serious systemic problems including hypertension, cardiovascular disease or a renal (kidney) problem.
  4. Tingling or burning sensation—one of the conditions associated with diabetes is neuropathy or nerve damage. It is common for neuropathy to be experienced in the feet for diabetics and it can be in the form of an unusual sensation or numbness or loss of sensation. 

If you have noticed any changes in your feet or ankles it’s essential to have them evaluated at our Valley Stream or Lake Success office. One of our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight or Dr. Marzana Mleczko will want to do a complete examination of your feet and also get a health history to know if you have been diagnosed with any diseases or if they run in your family. Each of the above symptoms can also point to a common foot ailment. The foot doctor will need to get a complete picture of your total body health in order to reach an accurate diagnosis. Contact us for an appointment by calling: (516) 825-4070 or (516) 327-0074.

 

 

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