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July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022 00:00

Four Categories of Broken Toes

The bones in the toes are known as phalanges, and the big toe consists of two phalanges. There are four types of broken toes that can occur, compressed, comminuted, displaced and non-displaced. In a comminuted fracture, the bone can break into several fragments. When force presses the ends of the bones towards the center, a compressed fracture has occurred. A bone that is moved out of its normal position is indicative of a displaced fracture, while a broken bone that stays in position is called a non-displaced fracture. The most common toe to break is the pinky toe, and this is often done by jamming it into a piece of furniture, or if something heavy drops on it. If the break is mild, buddy taping may be an effective way to promote stability to the toe as the healing process begins. This is done by taping the affected toe to the toe next to it, which may help keep it straight. If you suspect you have broken your toe, a podiatrist can provide an X-ray that can determine the extent of the fracture, and offer you correct treatment options.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Jed Wells, DPM from Jed Wells, DPM Foot Specialist. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Swelling
  • Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
  • Stiffness
  • Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Corpus Christi, and Laredo, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Tuesday, 19 July 2022 00:00

Seniors Are at Risk of Swollen Ankles

Swelling in the ankles, feet, and lower legs often affects people as they enter their senior years. Termed edema, this swelling can put you at a higher risk of falling and affect your normal daily activities. Caused by retention of fluids, edema also can be a sign of other conditions. Among these are heart problems, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Swelling also may be the result of a sedentary lifestyle. Some ways to lessen the swelling are wearing compression socks, keeping the feet elevated, drinking more fluids, and limiting foods with high salt content. An increase of foods that are rich in magnesium is encouraged. There are also a number of exercises that can help, but it is not a good idea to start any exercises before knowing the cause of the edema. If you notice swelling in the lower extremities, it is important to see a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment plan, which may include a safe program of exercises. 

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Jed Wells, DPM of Jed Wells, DPM Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

  • Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
  • Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
  • Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
  • Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Corpus Christi, and Laredo, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.


 

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Saturday, 16 July 2022 00:00

It's Time for Beautiful Feet

You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.

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The overall body may feel better when everyday foot care is practiced. The feet carry the weight of the body, and are often neglected by many people. There are several foot conditions that may be avoided with proper foot care. These include cracked heels, bacterial or fungus infections, and corns. It is aesthetically pleasing to have healthy toes and feet while wearing flip flops during the summer months, and this may be done by practicing good foot care for the rest of the year. Washing and drying the feet thoroughly is the first thing to do, followed by applying a good moisturizer. This is helpful in keeping the skin smooth, and it is beneficial to do as the aging process occurs. Many people feel pampered when their feet are soaked in warm water several times a month, and it helps to drink plenty of fresh water daily. The feet will feel good when the right size shoes are worn and are comfortable from the moment they are put on. If you would like more tips on how to have your feet feel and look good, it is suggested to talk to a podiatrist about how to do so. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jed Wells, DPM from Jed Wells, DPM Foot Specialist. Our doctor 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 Corpus Christi, and Laredo, TX . 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

What Does Cuboid Syndrome Feel Like?

Cuboid syndrome or cuboid subluxation is when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become injured or torn. Most commonly with cuboid syndrome, pain is felt on the side of the foot where the baby toe is. The discomfort might be greater when you put weight on the side of the affected foot, when you push on the arch of the foot, or pain might spread to other parts of the foot when you stand on the front of the toes. There may be redness and swelling near the site, as well as loss of movement or weakness in the ankle or side of the foot. One might also change the way they walk (such as limping or swaying from side to side) due to the pain they feel. This syndrome may be caused when the cuboid bone moves outward from the foot while the heel bone moves inward, which may dislocate one or more bones or tear nearby ligaments. It can happen from an ankle sprain, injury, overuse or repetitive strain on the foot, or flat feet. Athletes who participate in sports involving jumping, running, or moving from side to side are prone to cuboid syndrome. This condition can also occur from being overweight, having arthritis or osteoporosis, wearing shoes that are too tight or not sufficiently supportive, not stretching the foot properly before a workout or resting it long enough before engaging in physical activity again, or doing activity on surfaces that are not flat. If you think you might have cuboid syndrome or your foot hurts for longer than what might be a normal recuperation period, see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Jed Wells, DPM from Jed Wells, DPM Foot Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Corpus Christi, and Laredo, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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