EXPERT
Radu Purtuc
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
Dr. Radu Purtuc is a Board Certified podiatrist, a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists treat common foot conditions including bunions, hammertoe, plantar fasciitis, and neuroma, as well as injuries to the foot and ankle, such as sprains and stress fractures. Podiatrists complete four years of medical training in podiatry and three years of hospital residency training; they may specialize in a variety of fields, including surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care.
11 years
Experience
Radu Purtuc
- Ponte Vedra, FL
- RosalindWilliam M. Scholl, College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
- Accepting new patients
Nicotine Blows: Literature Review
BackgroundNicotine has intrigued me to the point where I decided to investigate it. I've come across many articles and references realizing how far we have come to understanding...
Complexity of Wound Healing: Biochemical Changes
In the practice of medicine, most if not all individuals have the basic understanding of rudimentary concepts and principles. The written knowledge shows a somewhat steady upward...
Why is one of my toes smaller than the others?
Hi,
Smaller in length or width when compared to opposite foot? Are there any complaints associated with this problem? Besides looks and aesthetics, there may be achy to sharp READ MORE
Hi,
Smaller in length or width when compared to opposite foot? Are there any complaints associated with this problem? Besides looks and aesthetics, there may be achy to sharp pain to the joints of the toe or changes to the skin of the toe or foot such as overgrowth of skin known as callous. Diagnosis should include a three view foot xray, likely principal diagnosis is brachymetatarsia, typically a congenital condition, most common 4th toe. Correction can be surgical depending on many surrounding factors.
Smaller in length or width when compared to opposite foot? Are there any complaints associated with this problem? Besides looks and aesthetics, there may be achy to sharp pain to the joints of the toe or changes to the skin of the toe or foot such as overgrowth of skin known as callous. Diagnosis should include a three view foot xray, likely principal diagnosis is brachymetatarsia, typically a congenital condition, most common 4th toe. Correction can be surgical depending on many surrounding factors.
Dull pain in my big toe with no presumed cause, what is it?
Big toe, or hallux, is known to have two main joints, four major arterioles and four major nerves, four tendons and joint capsule/ligaments. The bones themselves may have developed READ MORE
Big toe, or hallux, is known to have two main joints, four major arterioles
and four major nerves, four tendons and joint capsule/ligaments. The bones
themselves may have developed cystic changes within the medulary canal, or
closer to surface along the cortical layer, or through cortices pushing
against the periosteum (the bilayer of connective tissue rich in progenitor
cells responsible with bone repair and maintenance). There is also
arthritis, or periarticular degenerative bone changes (with or without
obvious deformities), or may be inflammation of the synovium tissue
responsible with production of synovium inside each joint space. There may
be gout, but typically this is episodic and not constant pain. There may be
a foreign body that is retained in the deep tissues and painful. There may
be soft tissue tumor or swelling that is pushing against a nerve structure,
sending pain signals. And lastly, pain. What kind of pain? Sharp, stabbing,
dull, achy, throbbing, burning, pins and needles, electrical like pain.
Each point to different aspects of causes. Burning is nerve specific
injury. Throbbing involves the blood flow. Does it improve with elevation
and gets worse with bringing the foot down? Stabbing or sharp is something
of acute nature, and typically severe such as fracture or infection. Dull
ache is typically chronic and can be associated with arthritis or
ligamentous injury such as sprain or tendinits. If there were color changes
associated with the pain, such as violet, red, or purple skin changes, that
is episodic, it may mean a form of vasculitides, inflammation of blood
vessels or may be spastic vessels such as Raynaud's. What do you take to
make it better? NSAIDS? What do you take to make it worse? Aspirin? Was
this helpful?
and four major nerves, four tendons and joint capsule/ligaments. The bones
themselves may have developed cystic changes within the medulary canal, or
closer to surface along the cortical layer, or through cortices pushing
against the periosteum (the bilayer of connective tissue rich in progenitor
cells responsible with bone repair and maintenance). There is also
arthritis, or periarticular degenerative bone changes (with or without
obvious deformities), or may be inflammation of the synovium tissue
responsible with production of synovium inside each joint space. There may
be gout, but typically this is episodic and not constant pain. There may be
a foreign body that is retained in the deep tissues and painful. There may
be soft tissue tumor or swelling that is pushing against a nerve structure,
sending pain signals. And lastly, pain. What kind of pain? Sharp, stabbing,
dull, achy, throbbing, burning, pins and needles, electrical like pain.
Each point to different aspects of causes. Burning is nerve specific
injury. Throbbing involves the blood flow. Does it improve with elevation
and gets worse with bringing the foot down? Stabbing or sharp is something
of acute nature, and typically severe such as fracture or infection. Dull
ache is typically chronic and can be associated with arthritis or
ligamentous injury such as sprain or tendinits. If there were color changes
associated with the pain, such as violet, red, or purple skin changes, that
is episodic, it may mean a form of vasculitides, inflammation of blood
vessels or may be spastic vessels such as Raynaud's. What do you take to
make it better? NSAIDS? What do you take to make it worse? Aspirin? Was
this helpful?
Do store orthotics work?
No. You should see a specialist who can properly educate you. Orthoses** that you may purchase in stores come with too many variables. The problem lies mainly that it is the subjective READ MORE
No. You should see a specialist who can properly educate you. Orthoses** that you may purchase in stores come with too many variables. The problem lies mainly that it is the subjective part from using orthoses inserts. I wound recommend you should be evaluated by a specialist (podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon) who may work closely with an orthotist (specialist who designs the final product) to create the custom inserts.
Biomechanics is the core behind understanding lower extremity alignment or misalignment and what can be done to correct or respectively improve. Some insurances cover part of the cost, and there are benefits from using custom made inserts, as they last longer and orthotists will work with you for months and years to come to adjust and recreate new custom inserts per need.
**Orthotics refers to a branch of medicine (specialty) that deals with provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. Orthoses is the correction of disorders of the limbs or spine with use of braces to correct alignment and provide support.
Biomechanics is the core behind understanding lower extremity alignment or misalignment and what can be done to correct or respectively improve. Some insurances cover part of the cost, and there are benefits from using custom made inserts, as they last longer and orthotists will work with you for months and years to come to adjust and recreate new custom inserts per need.
**Orthotics refers to a branch of medicine (specialty) that deals with provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. Orthoses is the correction of disorders of the limbs or spine with use of braces to correct alignment and provide support.
