December 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.