Items filtered by date: July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022 00:00

Hammertoe, Mallet Toe and Claw Toe

For most people, toe deformities show up later in life, often as the result of wearing improper or ill-fitting footwear for many years. These deformities also can be caused by nerve or muscle damage, as well as a number of other conditions. The three most common deformities of the toe joints are similar but not the same: hammertoe, mallet toe, and claw toe. The toes have a number of joints, two in the big toe and three in the other toes. Hammertoe and mallet toe affect one joint. Claw toe affects all three joints. Hammertoe occurs when the middle joint bends down to the floor, causing the other joints to bend up. This results in a bump on the top of the toe. With a mallet toe, most common to the 2nd toe, the end joint flexes permanently, preventing the toe from straightening. Claw toe occurs when the two end joints flex and curl the toe downward. As a result the first joint compensates by hyperextending, resulting in a curled toe that looks like a claw. It often affects the four smaller toes. If you have developed any of these deformities, please consult a podiatrist for an exam and possible treatment options. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Barbara Davis of Gilbert Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

  • Painful and/or difficult toe movement
  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Calluses/Corns
  • Physical deformity

Risk Factors

  • Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
  • Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
  • Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
  • Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Gilbert, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Tuesday, 19 July 2022 00:00

When Toenails Turn Black

A blackened area under the toenail occurs when blood collects beneath the nail as the result of damage to the toe. The condition is sometimes referred to as tennis toe, or runner’s toe. It is also known as a subungual hematoma. When the toe is repeatedly jammed against the toebox of a shoe, it may cause bruising that seems to turn the toenail black. The big toe is typically affected, causing a throbbing pain under the nail. The condition is often the result of constant changes in direction. This can occur while playing certain sports or experiencing a continuous pounding while running. It can also be caused by a traumatic injury to the toe, such as dropping something heavy on the toe. In many cases, the toe will heal on its own with rest, ice, and elevation. But if the toe is causing intense pain or the area becomes infected, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for a complete exam and proper diagnosis. In some cases, the area may need to be drained or the toenail itself removed by a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Barbara Davis of Gilbert Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Trauma
  • Sports injury
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Corns and calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Blisters
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

  • Severe pain
  • Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued swelling
  • Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Gilbert, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 12 July 2022 00:00

Elderly Foot Care and Moisturizer

As an individual ages, it becomes increasingly important for them to take special care of their feet. This is because seniors tend to have feet that are more prone to dryness and inadequate blood circulation. Therefore, seniors ought to think critically about their daily foot care routine and how they are going about maintaining strong feet. One important component of a senior’s foot care routine is moisturizing the feet. Since seniors generally have drier feet than children and younger adults, choosing and applying the right foot moisturizer is essential. Keeping their feet hydrated can also help seniors prevent cracked heels and ward off potential infections. When applying moisturizer to the feet, a senior might be careful not to apply moisturizer that is too greasy, as this may put them at a greater risk of falling and tripping. A senior might also be mindful that standard moisturizers that have a pleasant fragrance sometimes fail to provide the needed hydration. Instead, seniors could select a heavy duty moisturizer that is not too greasy but can still sufficiently hydrate the skin. For more tips on how seniors can care for their feet, consider contacting a podiatrist.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Barbara Davis from Gilbert Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Gilbert, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 05 July 2022 00:00

Foot Pain Is Common

Foot pain is a common ailment among many people. The feet undergo daily stress while walking, standing, or running for much of the day. Diabetic patients may be familiar with the pain associated with a foot ulcer and sometimes surgery is necessary for proper healing. Diabetics may also be affected by neuropathy, which is the inability to feel cuts, bruises, or scrapes on the feet. This happens from having elevated blood glucose levels. An uncomfortable foot condition known as athlete’s foot can cause severe redness and itching. Athlete’s foot originates from a fungus and is contagious. A bony protrusion that forms on the side of the big toe is known as a bunion and can occur from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Having an ingrown toenail becomes painful as the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. Surgery is sometimes a necessary treatment option so the toe can properly heal. If you have any type of foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you use the services of a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat foot pain.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Barbara Davis from Gilbert Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Gilbert, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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