Causes and Symptoms of a Broken Toe

A broken toe, although seemingly minor in the realm of injuries, can be incredibly painful and disruptive. Knowing the causes and recognizing the symptoms is essential for timely and appropriate medical care. The causes of a broken toe are diverse, typically resulting from direct trauma such as stubbing the toe against a hard object, dropping something heavy on it, or sustaining an injury during physical activities. Moreover, fractures can occur due to repetitive stress, as seen in athletes or those who engage in high-impact sports. Recognizing the symptoms of a broken toe is vital for prompt diagnosis and treatment. These often include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty in moving the affected toe. In some cases, the toe may appear misshapen or discolored. Pain tends to intensify while bearing weight or when trying to move the toe. Seeking medical attention is important to assess the extent of the injury, and the appropriate treatment method can then begin. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist who can accurately diagnose and treat this condition. 

A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

  • Throbbing pain

  • Swelling

  • Bruising

  • Cracking sound at the time of injury

  • Difficulty bearing weight on the toe

  • Difficulty walking

  • Toe resting at an unnatural angle

Diagnosis

Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays. 

Treatment

The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.  

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

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Do You Suffer From Painful Feet?

Painful deformities, such as hammertoes, can be treated. Stop living with foot pain, and have beautiful feet again!

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are fleshy growths on the sole of the foot that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). When this virus enters the feet through a small crack in the skin, it forms foot warts. These warts may occur individually or in clusters. They’re usually small, rough, grainy patches of skin that disrupt the skin’s natural lines. Unlike calluses, plantar warts have a blood supply, which is visible as tiny, black dots in the center of the wart. 

Plantar warts are typically asymptomatic and can go away on their own within a period of several months to several years. However, sometimes warts grow in areas that bear weight. The pressure of standing and walking causes the wart to grow inwards, potentially leading to discomfort or pain. There are various treatment options available. If opting for medical treatment, warts can be removed with chemicals, cryotherapy, laser therapy, or minor surgery. Each type of treatment has its own benefits and drawbacks, which should be discussed with your chiropodist. Wearing comfortable shoes and socks, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and wearing patches to take pressure off of the warts can help if you choose to wait for them to go away on their own.

Plantar warts are highly contagious and can spread from person to person through direct contact or through contact with an infected surface, but they can often be prevented with good foot hygiene practices. The virus that causes plantar warts can be contracted from walking barefoot in public areas, like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. Wear flip-flops or shoes to protect your feet when frequenting these areas. Avoid sharing personal items, like towels, shoes, and socks, with others. For more information about prevention and treatment, please consult with a chiropodist.

Treatment for Plantar Warts

Plantar warts, also known as verruca warts, are a common skin condition caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. While there are over 100 different strains of HPV, only a select few cause warts on the feet, with the others are more likely to affect hands, face, or genitals. Plantar warts often appear on weight-bearing areas, like the heels, due to their contagious nature. Although they are generally not a serious health concern, the discomfort caused by plantar warts can be quite painful, especially given their location on the sole of the foot. Warts can go away on their own, but plantar warts may require active treatment and removal, which can vary in duration. A chiropodist can offer several treatment options, such as microwave technology or freezing them off with cryotherapy. In some cases, warts may clear up without such intervention, but ignoring severe plantar warts can lead to prolonged discomfort and changes in posture or gait. Further, the virus can spread to other body parts and even be transmitted to other people. If you or your child has been infected with plantar warts, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for treatment options.

Plantar warts can be uncomfortable or even painful. If you’re suffering from warts on your feet, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

What Does a Plantar Wart Look Like? 

Plantar warts are fleshy growths that generally have a rough, grainy texture. They may look and feel like a callus and are usually small and can grow individually or in clusters. Plantar warts may have small, black dots at their center that are actually tiny blood vessels. Warts interrupt the natural lines of your skin. 

Treatment Options

  • Salicylic acid - A chemical solution applied directly to the wart

  • Cryotherapy - Freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen

  • Minor surgery - Removing the wart through excision

  • Laser treatment - A concentrated beam of light is used to remove the wart

  • Wearing comfortable shoes and socks to avoid irritating the wart

  • Over-the-counter medications for pain relief

  • Patches to keep pressure off the warts

Plantar warts can go away on their own, but this may take several months to years. If your plantar warts are bothering you, seeking medical treatment is suggested. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Everyday Foot Care

Good foot care is proactive, rather than reactive. While a chiropodist can diagnose, treat, and help you manage a variety of foot and ankle conditions, preventing foot problems and keeping the feet healthy is something that you can do at home as well. Having and following an established daily foot care routine can be very beneficial. 

Maintaining good foot hygiene helps prevent a variety of foot problems, including infections like athlete’s foot and fungal toenails. It is important to wash your feet every day using lukewarm water and mild soap. Wash the entire foot, from heel to toe. Then dry the foot thoroughly, taking extra care to dry in between the toes. Moisturizing the heels and soles of the feet after washing them can help keep the skin soft, hydrated, and free of cracks. 

Stretching and strengthening the feet can maintain or improve their mobility. There are many easy foot exercises that you can do to keep your feet strong and flexible, such as toe scrunches and heel raises. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help keep your weight under control, relieving excess pressure and strain on the feet. 

Finally, wearing the right shoes is one of the easiest ways to care for the feet. Many people wear shoes that are too tight or narrow, shoes that don’t support the feet adequately, and shoes that are made of materials that trap moisture on the foot. Opt for comfortable, properly-fitted shoes that support and protect your feet. 

For more information about daily foot care practices for good foot health, please consult with a chiropodist.

What to Do About Aching Feet

Aching feet can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. From walking and running to simply standing in the kitchen, healthy feet are essential for a pain-free existence. If you find yourself constantly dealing with aching feet, here are four valuable tips to help you find relief and maintain better foot health. First, invest in high-quality shoes that fit properly. Ill-fitting shoes can make foot pain worse and lead to issues like blisters, calluses, and corns. Look for shoes that provide adequate arch support that does not squeeze your feet too tightly. Second, performing regular leg muscle workouts, such as weight training, can significantly benefit your feet. Strong leg muscles can help to distribute your body weight evenly and reduce the strain on your feet. Third, relieve foot pain and inflammation by indulging in a relaxing foot bath. A warm Epsom salt water soak can work wonders for tired and aching feet. Finally, it is beneficial to engage in stretching exercises to maintain pain-free feet. While aching feet may be a symptom of fatigue on any given day, chronic foot pain should not be ignored. For help with aching feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist who can determine the cause and offer more advanced remedies.

Caring for your feet is not just something done at the chiropodist’s office. Good foot care starts at home. If you would like to learn more about daily foot care practices, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

There are many things that you can do at home to help care for your feet, including: 

  • Wearing shoes and socks that fit properly

  • Washing the feet daily with soap and water

  • Drying the feet thoroughly

  • Applying moisturizer to the soles and heels of the feet

  • Taking a walk and exercising the feet regularly 

  • Doing foot stretches and strengthening exercises 

A chiropodist can help figure out a manageable foot care routine for you to keep your feet healthy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can affect any toe, but most often happens on the big toe. Signs of an ingrown toenail include the surrounding skin becoming tender, painful, swollen, red, and warm. In some cases, the area can become infected, and white or yellow pus may drain from the area. If an ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment. 

Ingrown toenails are usually caused by wearing poorly fitting shoes or trimming the toenails improperly. Shoes that are too tight and have narrow, pointed toes or high heels can compress the toes and cause the toenails to curl and grow into the skin. Trimming your nails into a rounded shape or cutting them too short can cause the edges of the nail to grow into the skin. Other potential causes for ingrown toenails include sustaining an injury near the toenail, having a fungal nail infection, using certain prescription medications, and having an abnormal nail shape. Some people also have a genetic predisposition to developing ingrown toenails. 

Preventing ingrown toenails begins with proper trimming. Trim your nails regularly using nail clippers rather than nail scissors. Nail clippers cut the nail straight across, avoiding the rounded edges that can make ingrown toenails likely to develop. Make sure that while trimming the nails that you do not cut them too short. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels and a wide toe area to keep your toes from squishing together. 

For more information about ingrown toenails, please consult with a chiropodist. 

What Can Cause an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a common and painful foot condition that occurs when the sides or corners of the toenail dig into the skin at the end or side of the toe. While this condition can affect any toe, it most commonly plagues the edges of the big toe. Wearing tight shoes, high heels, and pointed-toe footwear can compress the toes, causing the nails to curl into the skin. The way your toenails are trimmed matters. Cutting them too short or rounding the edges can encourage the nail to grow into the skin, increasing the risk of developing an ingrown toenail. Any injury near the nail, such as a ripped nail or a nail peeled off at the edge, can cause an ingrown toenail to form. Fungal infections of the toenail sometimes lead to thickening or widening of the nail, making it more prone to grow into the nailbed. Finally, nails with odd shapes can make them more susceptible to becoming ingrown. Symptoms of ingrown toenails typically begin with redness at the end of the toe, mild swelling, and pain. The presence of white or yellow pus and drainage may indicate an infection. For help with managing the discomfort of an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist.

Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: 

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Redness

  • Warmth

  • Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. 

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. 

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

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Flat Feet

A flat foot is a foot that has no visible arch in the middle of the sole of the foot while standing. There are two types of flat feet. A flexible flat foot has a visible arch when the foot is not bearing weight, but the arch disappears when the person stands or puts any weight on the foot. A rigid flat foot has no visible arch regardless of whether or not the foot is bearing any weight. Flat feet can also be present from birth or can develop over time, as the ligaments that hold up the arch of the foot weaken. When flat feet are acquired, they are referred to as fallen arches. 

In many cases, flat feet do not cause any pain or other symptoms. This is especially true for those who were born with flat feet. In the instances where flat feet are not asymptomatic, they may cause pain in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot, as well as shin pain, foot aches or fatigue, and lower back, hip, or knee pain. People who have flat feet are also more likely to have an abnormal gait or walking pattern that may affect their daily activities. 

Flat feet can be diagnosed through a physical examination. An imaging study, such as an X-ray, may be used to determine the severity of the condition. Treatments for flat feet include footwear and activity modifications, wearing orthotics, taking medications to relieve pain, and physical therapy. If you have flat feet that are causing you pain or discomfort, please consult with a chiropodist. 

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