December 2022

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00

Foods to Eat or Not Eat With a Broken Toe

A broken toe can be painful, annoying, and often causes difficulty in completing daily activities. It can happen if a heavy object drops on it, or if it is stubbed against a piece of furniture. There are various treatments for a broken toe, and a popular one for mildly fractured toes is known as the buddy taping method. This is done by taping the affected toe to the toe next to it, which can provide adequate support as the healing process occurs. Holistic options can include applying specific kinds of essential oils several times per day, which may accelerate the recovery time. Research has shown that it may be beneficial to include certain types of foods as part of daily eating habits, consisting of salmon, sea vegetables, pumpkin seeds, beef, and spinach. These foods are known for their calcium and zinc properties, which may help to support healthy bone growth. It is beneficial to avoid foods such as refined sugars, soda, and caffeine. If you have broken your toe, please consult with a podiatrist who can guide you towards a healthy and speedy recovery.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

Throbbing pain
Swelling
Bruising on the skin and toenail
The inability to move the toe
Toe appears crooked or disfigured
Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00

What to Know About a Broken Toe

The forefoot is composed of five metatarsal bones and fourteen phalanges. Each toe has three phalanges except for the big toe which only has two. Our toes play an essential role to the walking process, which is why a broken toe could seriously disrupt one’s ability to move around. Toe fractures are common and can be very painful. Fortunately, these injuries rarely require surgery and usually heal with rest and a change in activity.

Broken toes typically result from a traumatic event such as falling, stubbing the toe, or dropping something on the toe. Traumatic toe fractures may be categorized as either minor or severe fractures. At times, one may hear a “pop” or “crack” sound when the bone breaks. Common symptoms of a traumatic toe fracture include pain, throbbing, bruising, swelling, and redness.

Another type of toe fractures is a stress fracture. These injuries usually appear in the form of small hairline breaks on the bone. Stress fractures develop after repetitive activity instead of a single injury. Stress fractures occur when the muscles in the bone become too weak to absorb impact. Consequently, the toe bone becomes vulnerable to any pressure and impact it endures. Symptoms for a stress fracture in the toe include swelling without bruising, tenderness to the touch, pain that goes away with rest, and pain after walking or running.

If you suspect that you have a broken toe, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist. He or she will likely diagnose you by performing a physical exam and an X-ray. Treatment for a broken toe may include the R.I.C.E. method, buddy taping, surgery, or antibiotics. The R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is a common treatment method for many injuries because it decreases pain. Buddy tapping involves wrapping the injured toe next to an adjacent toe to keep it supported and protected. These two methods have proven to be effective in the healing process for toe fractures. The estimated healing time for a broken toe is approximately four to six weeks. If the injury becomes infected or requires surgery, the estimated healing time may take eight weeks or more.

Tuesday, 20 December 2022 00:00

Who Is Prone to Developing Toenail Fungus?

One of the noticeable symptoms of toenail fungus is yellowed nails. The nails can also become thickened and brittle, and in severe cases, fall off. The name of the fungus is known as onychomycosis and research has shown it accounts for approximately 50 percent of nail problems. Older people are more prone to developing toenail fungus than the younger population, and this may be a result of reduced blood flow that happens as the aging process occurs. This type of fungus lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, including shower room floors, locker rooms, and public swimming pool areas. The fungus can enter the body through tiny cracks in the skin and it is wise to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas. Existing medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and diabetes may lead to the development of toenail fungus. If you see signs of toenail fungus, please contact a podiatrist who can guide you toward the correct treatment process which varies by person.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

Warped or oddly shaped nails
Yellowish nails
Loose/separated nail
Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Tuesday, 20 December 2022 00:00

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a frustrating problem that affects many people. It can be persistent and hard to get rid of. As many different types of fungi are present throughout the environment, it is very easy to contract toenail fungus.

The feet are especially susceptible to toenail fungus because shoes and socks create the ideal dark and moist environment that fungal infections thrive in. While fungal infections of the nail plate are quite common, if left untreated they can spread beyond the toenail and into the skin and other parts of the body.

Signs of toenail fungus include a thickened nail that has become yellow or brown in color, a foul smell, and debris beneath the nail. The toe may become painful due to the pressure of a thicker nail or the buildup of debris.

Treatment for toenail fungus is most effective during the early stages of an infection. If there is an accumulation of debris beneath the nail plate, an ingrown nail or a more serious infection can occur. While each treatment varies between patients, your podiatrist may prescribe you oral medications, topical liquids and creams, or laser therapy. To determine the best treatment process for you, be sure to visit your podiatrist at the first signs of toenail fungus.

Tuesday, 13 December 2022 00:00

How to Get Rid of Foot Corns

When the skin on the feet is exposed to friction or pressure, circles of hard, thick skin, called corns can develop. These usually come on the sides and tops of the toes or between the toes. Wearing shoes without socks and the rubbing this can cause on feet while walking, running, or standing for long periods of time can contribute to the development of corns. Proper foot care goes a long way in preventing corns. Washing, drying, and using moisturizer on the feet each day is imperative. Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well. If you get a corn, you can soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes and then use a pumice stone to gently massage it to help remove dead skin cells and try to alleviate pain. Once this is done, it might help to put a cotton ball soaked in castor oil over the corn and secure it with a bandage. Doing this each day may help the corn heal. If using such methods does not resolve the issue, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer you additional treatment options.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

Well-fitting socks
Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

Tuesday, 13 December 2022 00:00

Everything You Need to Know About Corns

Corns are hard and thick areas of skin that form as a result of constant rubbing, friction, or pressure on the skin. They are patches of dead skin with a small plug toward the center. They may appear on the tops and sides of toes and can make walking painful.

Soft corns are typically thinner with a white color and rubbery texture. Soft corns tend to appear between the toes. Seed corns are another type of corn that appear in clusters and can be tender if they are on a weight-bearing part of the foot. Seed corns usually appear on the bottom of the foot and are likely caused by a blockage in sweat ducts.

While corns and calluses are somewhat similar, calluses are a bit different. Calluses are a patch of dead skin that can occur anywhere on the body. In comparison to corns, calluses are usually a bit larger in size. However, both corns and calluses are caused by increased friction on the skin.

There are some risk factors that may increase your chances of developing corns and calluses. If you have bunions, hammertoe, or a bone spur, you are more likely to develop a corn or callus on your foot.

While Corns and Calluses tend to disappear when the friction to the affected area ceases, the help of a podiatrist may be useful in the removal process. It is important to remove the dead skin around the area and this may be done in a few different ways. Moisturizing creams may be helpful in softening and removing the dead skin around the callus. You should never use razors or other pedicure equipment to remove your corns. Doing this may worsen your corn or callus and cause infection.

In some cases, corns and calluses may be caused by abnormal foot structure or walking motion. In such a case, you should seek a podiatrist’s assistance in order to correct the issue.

Wednesday, 07 December 2022 00:00

Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!

Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:00

What is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. If you are having any pain, injuries, or abnormalities in these areas, it is best that you seek help from a podiatrist.

Podiatrists complete four years of training in a podiatric medical school. Their training is like that of other physicians, and they may go on to complete a fellowship training after a residency training. Some podiatrists are board certified meaning they have advanced training, clinical experience, and have taken an exam to prove their skills. Certifying boards for podiatry are the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Podiatrists may work in private practices, hospitals, clinics, or they may even become professors at colleges of podiatric medicine.

While in college, those who want to be podiatrists often take biology, chemistry, and physics classes in preparation for podiatry school. In podiatry school, students study how the bones, nerves, and muscles work together to help you move around. Additionally, they study injuries and how to properly diagnose and treat them. Admittance into podiatric medical school requires the completion of 90 semester hours of undergraduate study with a good grade point average, and acceptable scores on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

Podiatrists treat many different conditions such as: aching feet, ankle pain, bunions, corns, hammertoes, fungus, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, sprains and more. Common forms of treatment for these conditions are physical therapy, drugs, or surgery. Podiatrists may also recommend corrective shoe inserts, custom-made shoes, plaster casts, and strappings to correct deformities.

Even if you are someone whose feet are in generally good condition, you should still visit a podiatrist to have your feet properly exfoliated and maintained, or to make sure you are looking after your feet properly.

Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:00

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

Keeping your feet healthy is extremely important. To ensure proper foot health, seeing a podiatrist on a regular basis is important, especially if you have neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, or any other ailment that affects the feet. Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in conditions of the toes, feet, and ankles. Among the many conditions they are trained to deal with are ingrown toenails, heel and arch pain, gait problems, and sprains. They are also trained to work with patients who have diabetes and arthritis. Recommendations from a podiatrist may include prescription medication, exercise plans, and custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues. A podiatrist can use imaging tests and other methods to determine the extent and severity of your foot problems. If you are seeing a podiatrist for the first visit, it is a good idea to wear the shoes you normally wear, so a diagnosis of foot alignment and wear patterns can be conducted.

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
Use innovative methods to treat conditions
Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
Correct walking patterns and balance
Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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December 2022

Foods to Eat or Not Eat With a Broken Toe

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Who Is Prone to Developing Toenail Fungus?

Toenail Fungus

How to Get Rid of Foot Corns

Everything You Need to Know About Corns

Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

What is a Podiatrist?

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

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