Foot Pain Podiatrist
5400 Balboa Boulevard, Suite 325
Encino, California 91316
(on the east side of Balboa Blvd, just south of the 101 freeway)
Telephone: (818) 907-6100
Fax: (866) 513-4995
Email: info@drzeetser.com
Dr. Vladimir Zeetser is a board certified podiatric physician and surgeon specializing in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery both in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. His training includes advanced wound management and limb salvage and he has consistently achieved unparalleled results in healing problematic wounds. As an innovator and trendsetter in his field, he has been progressive in expanding aesthetic foot surgery and associated procedures to improve his patients' self-image while achieving among the highest functional outcomes and levels of patient satisfaction. Apparently unconventional in his practice approach, Dr. Zeetser believes that surgery should be minimally painful with a convenient and tolerable recovery, while producing the maximum results. He believes that the aesthetic result of any procedure is not a secondary consideration, but is just as important as the primary condition being corrected.
Feel free to explore this internet destination to become acquainted with the information and services available. Dr. Zeetser treats all aspects of foot and ankle structural disorders, including lower extremity muscular, neurological, vascular and skin conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Zeetser always performs a thorough evaluation, explains his findings in detail and creates a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. With all of your options presented in an understandable manner, you participate equally in the decision making for the treatment of your complaint.
Botox injections for excessive foot sweating
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the plantar aspect of the feet is a common problem affected many people. Besides being an uncomfortable hygienic condition, contributing to fungal infection and Athlete's foot, it can be an equally embarrassing problem creating social and psychological concerns. Botox injections for the bottom of the feet is a relatively new concept, but conforms well to the general increased awareness for aesthetic and hygienic concerns affecting daily life. Previously used safely in the foot for the treatment of spastic muscular conditions, such as in the Achilles tendon for spastic Cerebral palsy, Botox (botulinum toxin type A) has been used by plastic and aesthetic physicians for many years. In 2004, the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of excessive sweating. When topical antiperspirants and other drying agents are ineffective, Botox has been used as a safe and effective method for the treatment of excessive sweating in the bottom of the feet. Its mechanism of action is to temporarily block the secretion of the chemical responsible for activating sweat glands and thus interrupts sweating at the area where is has been injected.
Dr. Zeetser can administer these injections in the office following a local anesthetic injection to numb the bottom of the foot. Many other physicians performing this procedure rely on topical creams or ice to numb the area, which is not sufficiently effective on the foot. The procedure is relatively quick and painless once anesthesia has been achieved. After the procedure, there is no significant restriction to activities. Mild temporary bruising and tenderness can occur. Nothing can completely cure hyperhidrosis and this procedure is designed to control the condition. Sweating may return gradually on average within 6 months. Further injections may be required to maintain the desired effect at intervals varying between 7-16 months, depending on the individual patient.
Diabetic Foot Wounds
There are over than 21 million known people with diabetes in the United States, and this staggering figure continues to grow by almost one-half million annually. It has been estimated that an equal number of persons with diabetes remain undiagnosed. A person develops diabetes when their body is unable to maintain a normal level of sugar in the blood. Insulin, the hormone that regulates the level of sugar, is either not used properly by the body or it is produced in inadequate amounts. When this occurs, diabetes is the result.
Diabetes wreaks havoc with many major organ systems in the human body. Among others, it tends to create some of the worst and life altering complications in the feet. Over one half of diabetic hospital admissions are foot related. This is typically due to the disease process' effect on the nerves and blood vessels. As a result, the main complications include neuropathy (altered sensations which can eventually lead to numbness), peripheral arterial disease, increased risk of infection, decrease in tissue integrity and compromised healing capacity.
Heel Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Syndrome
This general category results in pain to the inside (medial aspect) of the heel which can occur suddenly or have a gradual onset. It occurs from excessive tension on the plantar fascia, the tendon attaching on the bottom of the heel bone, which results in microtearing and inflammation. With time and continued stress, the muscle pulls at its attachment to the heel bone and eventually produces a calcified spur visible on x-ray.
Typically described by patients as a very painful sensation upon arising in the morning and trying to make the first step of the day. After anywhere between 10-30 minutes, the pain subsides and the day progresses with a dull aching constant pain. Upon relaxing and being seated the pain tends to go away and then when the patient arises again to start walking the cycle starts all over again with very painful first step. Conservative treatment typically consists of injections, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching exercises, orthotics and sometimes physical therapy. For the 5-10% of patients that do not completely improve with conservative care, additional options remain. Prior to considering open surgery, a successful treatment called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), first introduced as Ossatron, has been used for decades safely to procedure up to 92% success rates with one treatment.
Flat Foot Deformity
This condition can be congenital or acquired and typically results in hyperpronation of the subtalar joint in the foot. A variety of other causes occur as well. Gradually, the medial arch collapses and the foot becomes progressively flatter. As the deformity continues, the shape of the foot is drastically altered and the bones, joints and soft tissue structures deteriorate. If caught early in life, this can be corrected with relatively simple surgical procedures such as a subtalar joint implant. Later in life, this becomes more difficult and more extensive surgery may be required. Conservative care typically consists of high quality custom foot orthotics.
When to Call a Doctor
Please seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Persistent pain in your feet or ankles.
- Red, hot, swollen joints in the foot with severe pain and limping.
- Pain, redness or other noticeable change to your toenails.
- Pain, redness or other skin condition including severe cracking, scaling, or peeling.
- Blisters and/or sores on the feet or ankles.
- Signs of bacterial infection including: increased pain, redness, heat, red streaks extending from the affected area, discharge of pus.
- Fever of 100°F (37.78°C) or higher with no other cause.
- Symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment with a non-prescription product.
Any of the above AND you are diabetic, have poor circulation, are taking Coumadin (or other anticoagulants) or have any other systemic condition that places you at increased risk for lower extremity complications.
Disclaimer - The content on this site is for informational purposes only. You are encouraged to perform your own research into common foot problems and treatments available. It is not intended for the purpose of self-diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Only a personalized consultation can appropriately address your specific concern. - Dr. Zeetser