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If you have broken your toe, you may not realize it, since sprained and strained toes can sometimes produce similar symptoms. If your toe is broken, it may bleed, and a bruise may form on the skin or under the toenail. Swelling will typically be present, and in severe cases, your toe may become misshapen, if the bone has become displaced or the toe joint has also been broken. If the big toe joint has fractured, you will most likely have difficulty walking. You can break toes by stubbing them severely, dropping a heavy object on them, or they may become broken as part of a bigger injury. Broken toes can take several weeks to heal if they are cared for appropriately. If you believe you may have broken your toe, it's wise to consult with a podiatrist. This is particularly important for people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and heart failure, all of which can make it more difficult for broken toes to heal.

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 Foot and Ankle Clinics, 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 our offices located in Woodbury, West St. Paul, and Edina, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Peripheral neuropathy causes damage to the nerves outside of the spinal cord and brain, which can result in a host of symptoms, starting in the feet. You may have peripheral neuropathy if you feel tingling or pins and needles in your feet. You may also experience stabbing, shooting, or burning pain in your feet, which tends to be worse in the evening. Your feet may feel numb, weak, or “dead.” They may even be so sensitive that the bed sheets brushing against your feet causes pain. You may have difficulty sensing temperature in your feet, or you may get the sensation of wearing socks even if you are barefoot. In some cases, you may develop ulcers (open wounds) on your feet or legs. While there is no cure for nerve damage, you can help prevent the condition from worsening by keeping blood glucose levels in target range. A podiatrist can also help you keep your feet and legs as healthy as possible and help manage the pain and discomfort caused by peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot and Ankle Clinics, PA. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Woodbury, West St. Paul, and Edina, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot odor is typically caused by too much sweat being produced by the glands in the feet. Each foot has about a quarter of a million sweat glands that produce around a cup of sweat a day. When bacteria from the soles of the feet are combined with sweat, an odor may develop. Causes include not washing your feet daily, wearing the same socks day after day, and wearing shoes so tight that they don’t allow the sweat to evaporate. In addition, a fungal infection can cause foot odor, and hyperhidrosis, a condition known as sweaty feet, can exacerbate the problem. To reduce existing foot odor, it’s a good idea to wash your feet daily with antibacterial soap and dry them thoroughly. You can also use an antiperspirant spray or powder on your feet. Change your socks every day, and give your shoes at least a day to air out before wearing them again. If, after taking these precautions, the odor lingers, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can examine the area and offer a more in-depth treatment plan.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot and Ankle Clinics, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Woodbury, West St. Paul, and Edina, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When you stand on the ground, do you notice small, soft bumps on the bottoms of your feet? Do they disappear when you sit down? If so, you may have piezogenic pedal papules. These tiny bumps are round, squishy, and skin-colored and tend to occur around the heels. They are caused by fat below the skin poking through connective tissue defects in the feet. Piezogenic pedal papules are very common, affecting approximately 60% of adults. In the majority of cases, these papules cause no symptoms. In about 10% of people, papules may cause foot pain, which can be treated through conservative measures, such as avoiding standing for prolonged periods of time, treating any existing foot injuries, wearing orthotics, and weight loss. For more information about piezogenic pedal papules, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot and Ankle Clinics, PA. 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 our offices located in Woodbury, West St. Paul, and Edina, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.