Items filtered by date: November 2022

There are reasons that pain in the big toe can occur. It may happen suddenly from an injury or it can gradually occur. Pain in this toe may be a symptom indicating an existing medical condition and a podiatrist can determine what that condition is. Gout is a condition that develops suddenly and affects the joints in the big toe. It can produce excruciating pain and discomfort and may be controlled by the types of foods that are eaten. Additionally, a bunion is another condition that gradually occurs. Bunions are characterized by a bony protrusion that forms on the side of the big toe. Severe bunions may cause pain and larger shoes may need to be purchased to accommodate the bunion. Some people develop ingrown toenails which generally affects the big toe. When left untreated, an infection may occur and medical attention is often sought. A sudden injury can produce a broken toe and relief and stability may be found when the affected toe is taped to the toe next to it. If you have pain in your big toe, it is strongly advised that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is followed by implementing effective treatment strategies.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM of Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist 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 Sheboygan, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Selecting the right kind of running shoe is critically important for any runner to not only feel their best during runs, but to also protect their feet from potential injury. Far more important than selecting a pair of running shoes for how they look is selecting shoes that fit. Something to be mindful of when choosing running shoes is how the ankle collar fits. This part of the running shoe wraps around the heel at the back of the shoe. The purpose of this feature of the shoe is to hold the heel in place. When selecting a pair of shoes, you might consider taking note of how the back of your foot interacts with the ankle collar. For example, notice if the padding in the ankle collar feels comfortable or if your heel is slipping out of the shoe. For more information about the ankle collar in running shoes, contact a podiatrist today. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Stress fractures are a common occurrence among people who enjoy running. A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, generally occurs due to excessive strain on the foot bones. Stress fractures may result from increasing speed or distance too quickly and can be a runner's worst nightmare. The number of stress fractures may be reduced when good running shoes are worn, in addition to stretching the feet before and after running. Many runners experience an emotional condition that is known as runner’s blues. This may happen from the inability to run as the healing process occurs. This can take several weeks, depending on how severe the fracture is. Many people choose to use crutches as this can help restore mobility. If you have foot pain, please consult a podiatrist who can determine if a stress fracture has occurred and can offer you treatment options.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM from Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is when a bony bump occurs on the joint of the big toe. This happens when a few of the bones on the top part of the feet move out of place. As a result of prolonged pressure, the tip of the big toe is pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint of the big toe to remain stuck. The skin above the bunion may get red and sore, and calluses might form where the shoe rubs against it. Wearing narrow, tight shoes or standing for a prolonged time might contribute to this condition and make it worse. Bunions can also form from one’s foot shape, a medical problem, such as arthritis, or a foot deformity. Wearing better-fitting shoes, obtaining bunion pads, or using toe spacers might help, and if not, a surgery called a bunionectomy can be performed. The elderly and women are most apt to suffer from this problem. If you have a bunion, consult with a podiatrist who can confirm the diagnosis and suggest the best treatment options for you.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Steven Wolfington, DPM of Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC. Our podiatrist can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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