- Warts
- ArthritisThe possible causes of a bunion deformity are numerous and can only be numerically reduced pending a thorough examination by the foot specialist. Hereditary tendencies for bunions to occur in members of the same family, ranks high as a potential cause. Another frequent culprit is that of our manner of walking and in what type of shoe we wear over the bunion. In short, the particular mechanics of one’s walking style could be such that abnormal forces, pressures, and anatomical changes could result in a bunion deformity. Various arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout can also lead to deformities of the first metatarsal joint and a bunion. An important fact to keep in mind is that. Generally speaking, shoe can aggravate an existing bunion deformity but will not initially cause one to occur.
- Plantar FasciitisHeel pain is a very common condition that unfortunately many Americans will suffer from at some time in their lives. Two conditions that result in heel pain are Plantar Fasciitis and Tendonosis.
- Primary CarePlease bring your insurance card, and a picture ID. We will need a copy of them for our records. If your insurance plan requires that you have a referral from your primary care doctor, please make sure you obtain one before your appointment. Please be aware of your insurance coverage including all co payments, deductibles, coinsurance, and all of your out of pocket responsibilities.
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Depression
- Diabetes Care
- Ultrasound
- MRIOsteomyelitis can be treated either conservatively or aggressively depending on the severity of the condition. Conservative treatment would consist of intravenous antibiotics without removing bone. This treatment is frequently utilized initially until lab studies identify the actual organism causing the infection. A more specific medication may be used in an IV fashion to more effectively treat the infection while further studies are done to evaluate the extent of bone involvement. Once this information is available via bone biopsy, bone scan, MRI or x-rays, the offending bone should be removed as well as using IV antibiotics.
- X-Rays
- OrthopedicsDr. Horn is board certified, and re-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He has earned the distinction of becoming a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics, and the American Professional Wound Care Association. In addition, Dr. Horn is certified, and re-certified as a credentialed pain practitioner by the American Academy of Pain Management. He has also been a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine for more than 15 years.
- Wound Care
- Pinched Nerve
- Ankle SurgeryAt our practice, it is our goal to get you out of pain and back to living your life and doing the activities that you love. We will begin with non surgical and the most non invasive treatments possible. However if non invasive treatments do not solve the problem, there are situations where surgery will be advised. We know that the thought of surgery is intimidating but we will do our utmost to make your surgical experience as pain free and anxiety free as possible. We are skilled experts in all areas of foot and ankle surgery and we utilize the latest modalities and state of the art equipment. We will customize a treatment plan for you, taking into consideration - your schedule and needs and we will do all we can to ensure a quick recuperation.
- BunionsMany foot disorders are inherited or are passed down genetically. Because many people are already born with a predisposition for certain conditions – such as bunions and hammertoes.
- Ingrown Toenails
- CornsIt seems obvious that with most any existing ailment of the body, one of three things can happen. The condition can improve and go away, it can stay the same or it can become worse. Corns are an orthopedic condition and either one has to accommodate the deformity to try to make it go away or correct the deformity. First of all, it is essential to check and modify if necessary, one's shoes so as to minimize excessive pressure at the area involved. Quite often, wearing a better-fitted shoe is enough to remedy the problem. Secondly, one should stay away from store bought medicinal pads and sharp cutting instruments as possible remedies. Self-abuse through the improper use of these items can often result in more serious damage to the skin. A third and most important suggestion for the person with a painful corn is that he seeks professional care.
- UlcerOsteomyelitis can be caused by a number of factors. An aggressive infection that breaks through the skin and penetrates the bone is usually the way it works. A simple opening in the skin from an ulcer, trauma, or surgery can cause this condition. If the infection is not quickly treated, an osteomyelitis may form. Diabetics are often prone to developing this type of bone infection. The reason is that many diabetics do not have adequate feeling on the bottom of their feet and will develop ulcers without being aware of the problem. The infection then progresses and is often not treated in time to prevent a bone infection. If you have an "opening" or localized wound site on your foot that seems to be slow or non-healing, a foot specialist should be consulted.
- CallusesAn interesting and often confusing distinction must be made between certain calluses and plantar warts. Skin lines or striations can be seen passing through callus tissue whereas they will pass around a wart. Painful calluses in the ball of the foot are the commonly misdiagnose as warts. In addition, plantar warts, upon close examination, will often demonstrate small black dots which when trimmed will bleed. These are tiny blood vessels, which become caught in the growth itself and are absent in regular callus tissue. A final line of distinction in identifying a wart is in its response to pressure. Squeezing a wart will usually produce extreme pain as opposed to similar pain from direct pressure on calluses.
- Fungus
- LesionsNot all calluses cause discomfort. A callus may be small, medium, or large in area but thin and diffuse in thickness. These are normally non-painful and can be effectively dealt with by paddings, insoles, and certain types of abrasive treatment procedures. On the other hand, calluses may become deep and punctuate with circular type cores in their center. These are the ones that can indeed cause grief and most often will lead to a visit at the local foot doctor’s office. This painful type of callus may be due to an underlying problem in bone structure, a particular type of skin condition, or perhaps a response to a foreign body. Various treatment methods are available by the foot specialist that are geared towards re-establishing proper balance and weight distribution. As with many problems of the foot one could try to accommodate these lesions with padding, try to control foot strike and function by an arch supportive device or correct the orthopedic condition that exists. These problems should be seen as early as possible so as to minimize the necessary treatment involved.
- Sports Medicine
- Physical TherapyThe usual range of conservative care through surgical procedures applies in the approach to neuroma care. Appropriate shoe selection and modifications is a good start in trying to relieve pressure and allow additional room for the foot during walking. Various forms of physical therapy and localized injections of anti-inflammatory medication can frequently be helpful in the treatment of this annoying problem. Surgical procedures armed at identifying and removing the involved section of irritated nerve can provide a more permanent resolution in many cases. A few new treatments have been used over the past few years. The first is a series of neurolytic injections where an alcohol is injected into the nerve to try to destroy it this has not been very successful. The second is a surgical approach to try to release the ligament over the neuromal. This also has had limited success. A discussion of possible recurrence rates, disability involvement, and procedural expectations should take place between the patient and foot specialist prior to surgery.
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Ankle SprainAnkle sprains are one of the most common conditions we treat in our office. Take a wrong step, walk on uneven ground or be active in athletics, and sooner or later, you will probably have an ankle sprain. By definition, an ankle sprain is a type of injury involving some degree of ligamentous trauma, be it over stretching, partial rupture, or total tear. Along with this ligament injury is some level of ankle joint instability, which can become an invitation for future reinjury and weakness. Ankle sprains usually involve either the inside or outside aspects of the ankle. The outer variety being the much more prevalent due to its weaker structures and greater tendency for injury. The typical presentation of an ankle injury is acute pain, swelling, bluish-black bruising or discoloration, loss of motion and one’s inability to weight bear without discomfort. A thorough examination by a foot specialist is recommended in order to rule out other problems such as fractures, tendon ruptures, and dislocations.
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General Podiatry
- Achilles TendonitisThe Achilles tendon is the thickened cord or fibrous band that runs down the back of one’s leg and attaches to the heel bone. A prime function of this muscle or tendonous structure is to assist in moving the foot up and down. Athletes at all competitive levels, frequently encounter problems with this tendon. It is subject to injury from a direct impact, can suffer from over use or excessive training, or can just start hurting as a result of shoe pressure. The patient with an Achilles tendonitis will most often have pain and swelling in the lower portion of the tendon just above the heel, will have discomfort when moving the foot upwards thus stretching the tendon, and will probably note that the condition has worsened over time. These patients can have significant discomfort and will frequently take themselves out of physical activities prior to visiting the physician.
- Ankle SprainAnkle injuries commonly occur during active sports due to a fall, misstep, twisting motion or hard knock to the area, causing the ankle to go out of its normal position. Running, jumping, falling, over exertion and wearing ill-fitting shoes can all lead to a sports injury.
- Arthritic Foot Care
- Bunions ProblemsBunion Treatment 30084 Bunions are those unsightly enlargements or bumps that occur on the inside areas of your feet. A bunion deformity can cause a wide range of problems for the patient and consequently can involve a varied approach to o treatment. An important point to consider in the understanding of this problem is that it is a progressive deformity. In other words, a bunion will in most cases worsen with time. No one can predict how fast the deformity will progress or to what extent it will cause debility or symptoms but most authorities would agree that sooner or later, it will worsen. Bunions, by nature, can cause pain in certain shoes, become a common site for arthritic changes, lead to secondary compensatory problems such as hammertoes or pain in the fat pad area. They may cause serious aesthetic or shoe wear concerns for certain individuals especially women who have to wear higher styled type shoes. Whatever the extent of involvement, a bunion deformity should warrant consideration by the patient and some level of professional evaluation by a foot specialist.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Flat Feet
- Fungus Toenails
- Geriatric Foot Care
- HammertoesA high arched foot is one where there is a marked elevation of the longitudinal arch both on and off weight bearing. This type of foot by itself is usually not a problem but tends to cause other difficulties, which frequently require treatment. For instance, the high arched foot creates excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and frequently produces thick and uncomfortable calluses. Hammertoes are also common with this foot type, which may cause problems with certain shoes. In addition, the high arched foot is notoriously known as a poor shock absorber, frequently resulting in discomfort and bursitis in the heel.
- Heel SpursPlantar fasciitis involves a localized swelling, irritation, and/or bursitis of the thickened fibrous bands supporting the bottom of one's foot. These tendon like bands run length wise from underneath the heel and fan out into the metatarsal heads or fat pad area of the foot. In most cases, painful symptoms arise at or near the point at which the bands are attached to the heel. When a person stands, these fibrous bands stretch and elongate under the pressure and pull on the heel. Eventually, a heel spur or calcium deposit may actually form in response to this constant pulling. Many of the patients who have this condition seem to have a similar presentation. There is frequently pain upon rising out of bed in the morning. The first few steps are excruciating but reduce quickly in their intensity. Later in the day, the individual with plantar fasciitis will notice pain after sitting and then getting up again. The pain is mostly localized to the heel and arch areas with occasional radiation of discomfort up the back of the leg. Well-padded shoes are helpful but rarely rectify the condition.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Foot InfectionsFungal foot infections. They can create major discomfort and even embarrassment. They are also EXTREMELY COMMON; affecting millions of people each year.
- Ingrown ToenailsIngrown toenails are one of the most common conditions we see in our offices. The problem is just what its name implies. The nail plate is too large for the under covering or bed and one or both sides are pressing into the skin. Ingrown nails can result from several possible causes such as improper cutting, abnormal nail structure and localized injury to the plate. The appearance of the toe involved may range from a sensitive redness and slight inflammation to a full-blown infection of the toe with pus and bleeding usually evident. The object of course, is to prevent the infectious stage from taking place and to remedy the problem earlier in its development.
- Toenail ProblemsDr. Horn is a practicing podiatrist with a subspecialty in sports injuries related to the lower leg, ankle and foot. He uses his knowledge of being a former athlete in serving his patients in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injures. Dr. Horn was an accomplished NCAA gymnast, and was a member of the gold medal winning 1981 USA Gymnastic team competing in the World Maccabiah Games. He also served as a personal trainer specializing in lower extremity rehabilitation. Dr. Horn provides his expertise to not only professional, collegiate, and high school athletes, but to athletes of all levels. As a specialist in comprehensive lower leg, ankle, foot, and toenail problems Dr. Horn utilizes the latest technology available to serve the needs of his patients.
- Foot OrthoticsFoot orthotics are supportive devices that are designed specifically for the purpose of controlling foot motion, improving one's postural stability, reducing shock impact, and/or improving weight distribution. In most cases, these devices are functional in the sense that they also improve one's biomechanical performance during gait. A plaster impression is taken of your feet and used in the selection and fitting of a prescription orthotic. The particular information regarding anticipated cost, durability and use may vary depending upon the type of orthotic and should be discussed with your foot specialist.
- Pediatric Foot Care
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatric Surgery