February 2024

Recovering from a broken toe can be a frustrating journey, but with the right exercises, you can expedite the healing process and regain strength and flexibility in your toe. Start with passive toe exercises, where you sit comfortably and use gentle movements to bend your toe forward and backward, gradually increasing flexibility. Toe curls help to strengthen the muscles surrounding the toe, promoting stability and mobility. Towel scrunches provide a great opportunity to work on grip strength and dexterity by using your toes to scrunch a towel towards you and then push it back. Marble pick-ups add a fun and challenging element to your routine as you aim to pick up marbles with your toes and place them into a cup, which improves coordination and control. Lastly, the towel stretch helps to elongate the muscles and tissues in the toe, enhancing flexibility and reducing stiffness. Consistency is key, so aim to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to support a speedy recovery. If you need help in dealing with a broken toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

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 Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. 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 St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Corns, small areas of thickened skin that develop on the feet due to friction or pressure, can cause discomfort and pain if left untreated. These hardened patches often form on areas of the feet subjected to repeated rubbing from ill-fitting shoes, abnormal foot mechanics, or prolonged standing. Corns can interfere with daily activities, and professional removal methods offer long-lasting solutions for persistent corns. Podiatrists and foot specialists employ various techniques to safely and effectively remove corns, depending on their severity and location. Common removal methods include paring, where the thickened skin is carefully trimmed using specialized instruments, and chemical treatments, such as salicylic acid solutions, to dissolve the hardened tissue. In cases where corns are deeply embedded or accompanied by underlying foot issues, podiatrists may recommend orthotic devices or corrective measures to alleviate pressure and prevent recurrence. Seeking professional care from a podiatrist for corn removal ensures proper treatment and reduces the risk of complications, promoting optimal foot health and comfort for individuals dealing with this foot ailment. If you have a corn on your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can successfully remove the corn, in addition to offering you effective prevention techniques.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist 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 St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The human foot, with its intricate network of bones, is organized into two arches, one running the length of the foot and other the width. The arches are supported by ligaments, muscles, and the plantar fascia, which runs beneath the foot. They function as a shock absorbing system during walking. Foot pain can be felt in the arches, including muscle strain, ligament sprains, fractures, poor alignment, or tightness within the foot's structures. Inflammation of the plantar fascia, often due to injury or repetitive stress, commonly leads to discomfort and restricted mobility. Symptoms of arch pain can include a dull ache in the bottom of the foot, a sign of plantar fasciitis, or specific joint tenderness or swelling, which may indicate a sprain or fracture, necessitating prompt medical attention. Conditions such as arthritis or stress fractures can also result from repetitive stress or trauma to the foot muscles or bones. A physical examination by a podiatrist, imaging tests, and gait analysis may be needed. If you are suffering from arch pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Children born with congenital clubfoot often face ongoing challenges as they grow older, such as deformity, pain, and limited function in their adolescence and early adulthood. These individuals form a diverse group, each with unique needs that demand a personalized approach to their care. Usually in the early years of a clubfoot diagnosis, children receive treatment including serial casting, and in some cases, foot surgery. Ongoing issues can be related to undercorrection, overcorrection, dorsal bunion, anterior ankle impingement, and lateral hindfoot impingement. If you have a child that has continuous issues from clubfoot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss more effective management and tailored treatments options.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.