February 2025

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged, disrupting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. This can lead to numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, often starting in the feet. Causes vary but include diabetes, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and prolonged pressure on nerves. People with neuropathy may struggle with balance, coordination, and even simple tasks like walking or sensing temperature changes. Over time, nerve damage can worsen, leading to foot injuries or ulcers that may go unnoticed due to reduced sensation. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. Medications, lifestyle changes, and targeted exercises can help improve nerve function. Proper foot care is essential to avoid further injury. If you are experiencing unexplained foot pain, numbness, or weakness, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for evaluation and appropriate care.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with John McGhan, DPM from Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toenail fungus can be a persistent and frustrating condition, but several signs indicate improvement after treatment. The color of the affected nail typically lightens, with less yellowing or discoloration as the nail begins to grow healthier. The thickness of the nail may also reduce, and the texture becomes smoother. As healing progresses, the area surrounding the nail becomes less inflamed or irritated, showing signs of recovery. Prescribed medications are often the first line of defense in treating toenail fungus. Podiatrists may recommend antifungal oral medications or topical treatments to combat the infection. For those who do not respond to medication, laser treatment has emerged as a promising alternative. Laser therapy targets the fungus directly, penetrating the nail to eliminate the infection. Toenail fungus can be unsightly, causing embarrassment. If you see signs of a toenail fungus. It is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

For more information about treatment, contact John McGhan, DPM of Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Running can put significant stress on the feet, often leading to various toenail issues. Common toenail conditions caused from running include black toenails, ingrown toenails and fungal infections, in addition to thickened nails, and toenail trauma. Black toenails usually occur from repeated impact, causing blood to pool under the nail. Ingrown toenails develop when the edges of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin, often causing pain and infection. Fungal infections thrive in a warm, moist environment created by sweat, leading to discoloration and thickened nails. Toenail trauma can happen from wearing ill-fitting shoes or improper running form. Preventing these issues requires wearing properly fitting shoes with enough room for the toes to move freely. Regularly trimming toenails straight across can help avoid ingrown nails, while keeping feet dry and using antifungal treatments can reduce the risk of infections. Additionally, performing proper nail care and recovery time after long runs can help prevent toenail damage. If you have developed toe pain from running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact John McGhan, DPM of Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Maintaining proper foot hygiene is essential for overall foot health. Daily washing with soap and warm water removes dirt, bacteria, and sweat, preventing unpleasant odors and infections like athlete’s foot. Thoroughly drying feet, especially between the toes, reduces moisture that can encourage fungal growth. Regularly trimming toenails straight across prevents ingrown nails, while moisturizing keeps skin soft and prevents cracks that could invite infection. Wearing clean socks and breathable shoes minimizes the risk of bacterial buildup and blister formation. Inspecting your feet regularly helps detect issues like cuts, swelling, or discoloration early. Good foot hygiene is especially critical for people with diabetes or poor circulation to avoid serious complications. If problems like persistent pain, wounds, or if infections occur, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for professional care and tailored treatment.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact John McGhan, DPM from Gold Canyon Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Gold Canyon, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.