Archive for category Foot Pain
How Do I Know If My Toe Is Broken?
Posted by drchrismilkie in Foot Pain, Sports & Athletics on August 5, 2010
One of the most common injuries to the foot is a broken toe. You know, that bedpost or chair jumping out at you and smacking into a toe. The pinky toe is the one that gets it the most. Pain is immediate, followed by swelling and sometimes bruising.
So it happened… now what? Should you just leave it alone? After all, I am sure you have heard people say, “You can’t do anything about a broken toe.” I wonder who came up with that saying.
The fact is, you can do something about a broken toe, and should! first of all, you should have it examined by a Podiatrist and x-rays taken to see if it is broken. If so, the alignment of the toe and where it is broken is critical. A misaligned toe or break in the joint is not good. These can lead to long term pain and arthritis.
Broken toes can easily be treated if detected early. If you bang your toe and pain and swelling last for a few days, come in to get it checked. One of my patients waited too long and eventually needed an expensive bone stimulator and fracture shoe for eight weeks to heal the toe.
The bottom line with any foot injury is not waiting too long to have it examined. Unfortunately, even a broken toe can lay you up for a while if not detected and treated early. Most injuries can heal fast without you being inactive for a long time.
Learning To Say No To These Foot Disasters
Posted by articlemanager in Foot Pain, Toenail fungus on June 15, 2010
If you are a woman who strives to look her best, then chances are that your feet take quite a beating everyday! All joking aside, some of the most common foot practices of women can be quite detrimental to their long-term foot health. Between high-heeled shoes, locker room bathrooms, and public footbaths and spas, women put themselves at risk for foot problems nearly every day. To help you avoid several visits to your local podiatry clinic, here are some tips to help you avoid these foot care disasters. While some of them may seem like they are taking away your right to beautiful shoes and pedicures, believe this: your feet will thank you in the long run!
*Just Say No To High-Heeled Shoes. OK, so you probably think that giving up your high-heel collection would be a fate worse than death. But trust this: these high-heeled stiletto monsters are absolute torture on your feet. They can indeed cause a score of long-term foot problems, including everything from bunions, nerve damage in your toes, and ankle and heel pain. If you simply must keep high-heels as part of your wardrobe, strive to only wear high-heels that fall around one inch. And invest in some comfy gel inserts so you can create some much-needed arch support in these stressful shoes.
*Just Say No To Infection Hotbeds. If you workout or stay in hotels frequently, you are probably putting yourself at risk for warts and toenail fungus without even realizing it. Indeed, every time you walk on a gym locker room or hotel bathroom floor without shower shoes or flip-flops, you are seriously risking picking up the human papilloma virus (HPV, also known as the pesky little virus behind unsightly plantar warts) and toenail fungus. To ensure that you avoid these nasty little problems, always sport a pair of flip-flops or shower shoes when you walk in one of these public places.
*Just Say No To Spa Footbaths. Next time you are getting a pedicure, ask that the manicurist soak your feet in a basin of lukewarm water instead of submerging them in one of those public footbaths. The jets can be a hotbed of bacteria and viruses, all of which can cause a slew of foot and nail related problems.
It is pretty easy for the average woman to acquire a foot problem or condition thanks to the aforementioned culprits. But if you follow these easy tips, you are sure to keep your feet healthy and beautiful.
How To Never Get A Plantar Wart Again
Posted by articlemanager in Foot Pain, General, Kids & Teens on June 13, 2010
If you have had a plantar wart, then you know how unsightly and even painful they can be. These flat warts usually strike patients on the bottoms of their feet and toes, and can often make walking a painful experience. As you may know, removing and treating warts can often involve expensive laser treatments and repeated liquid nitrogen treatments. As with any other condition, prevention is always the best medicine. Plantar warts are no different than any other foot condition – while never one hundred percent preventable; there are indeed some great ways to almost ensure that you are never plagued with these unsightly warts again. Here are the best ways to avoid ever getting a plantar wart again.
- Keep Your Feet Dry – Warts thrive in moist shoes and socks. One of the best ways to ensure that you never get a wart again is to keep your shoes and socks as dry as possible at all times. If you are planning on working out or running, bring an extra pair of socks to change into immediately after you finish your exercise or activity. Never, ever workout without wearing socks, either. It is crucial that you wear clean socks during every workout, as this ensures that your shoes stay dry and clean. Clean socks are just as important as dry socks, too. Only wear socks that have been freshly washed.
- Public Bathrooms – Never walk barefoot in the bathrooms or locker rooms of hotels, public gyms, or in any other shared or public facility. Plantar warts are quite contagious, and they thrive in the moist and publicly shared environments such as these. Instead, invest in a cheap pair of shower shoes or flip-flops, and wear them at all times when you are using a shared locker room or bathroom. This will greatly diminish your chances of picking up plantar warts, in addition to helping you ensure that you keep your feet clean.
Remember: Cleanliness and dryness are the two main key points when it comes to avoiding picking up plantar warts. If you practice these “clean and dry feet” tactics, you are almost sure to never pick up any unwanted plantar warts. There is no way to absolutely guarantee that you will never pick up plantar warts – but if you practice these techniques, your chances will be greatly, greatly diminished. Remember – clean, dry feet are indeed happy feet!
Knowing When It Is Time To Visit The Podiatrist
Posted by articlemanager in Foot Pain on June 11, 2010
Believe it or not, many people do not have a podiatrist whom they see regularly. And while regular visits to the podiatrist’s office may not always be a necessity, there are some certain times when you should know that it is time to go give your local podiatry clinic a visit. Situations such as possible toenail fungus or plantar warts are a good indicator that it is time to seek professional help from an expert in the medical treatment of feet. To help you figure out when it is time to give the podiatrist a visit, here are some of the signs that let you know that it is time to seek professional medical intervention.
- Discolored or Crumbly Toenails – Discolored or crumbly toenails can be a very clean indicator of toenail fungus, and usually require medical intervention. Toenail fungus, contrary to popular belief, cannot be treated at home or with over the counter medications, as they are almost always completely ineffective. Rather, this problem needs medical treatments, such as the innovative and revolutionary laser treatment that is only available at the podiatrist’s office.
- Pain in your Heels – While pain in your heels can sometimes be a sign of an innocent and easily treated problem, it can also be a sign of a bigger and more serious problem, such as bone spur. A podiatrist will be able to determine the source of the problem, and help to work with you to figure out the best course of treatment and the best way to ease your pain. If you are feeling any pain in your heels, it is a good idea to take it easy and rest until you can get in to see a professional podiatrist. Remember, exacerbating these problems can only make them worse.
- Hard Lumps in the Pads of the Feet or Toes – Hard “lumps” in the pads of the feet or twos could be one of two things; they could either be unsightly warts, or painful bunions. Either way, it is crucial that you book an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible to ensure that your problem does not worsen. Whatever the condition may be, it can only get worse if left untreated.
If you ever suspect that pain or swelling in your feet may be a result of something serious, it is best to schedule a visit with your podiatrist.