Broken Feet

A broken foot can either refer to a fracture or a straight break. The location of any break can tell you how the break happened. Toes, for instance, break typically as a result of something being kicked hard and with great force. Heel breaks almost always are a result of an improper landing from a tall height. Twists or sprains are the other two frequent occurrences. As with all usual breaks, they result from unexpected accident or sudden injury. As with stress fractures, breaks form as a process over time from repeated stress on already present cracks. Runners, dancers, and gymnasts are the usual athletes who receive this type of break. Stress fractures result from incredible pressure on the feet. It is no surprise these athletes bear the majority of reported fractures.

Pain, swelling, bruising, and redness are all indicative of the typical symptoms from a broken foot. Severe pain—to the point of not being able to walk—usually depends on the location of the break in the foot. Toes are on the lower scale of pain threshold, but heels are high, as are a few other particular bones. As the severity of the broken foot increases, symptoms like blueness, numbness, misshaping of the foot, cuts, or deformities will become apparent. These symptoms indicate the need to see a medical professional with access to an x-ray facility.

Prior to seeing a specialist, precautions should be taken to reduce pain and swelling. Elevate and stabilize the foot, and refrain from moving it. Immobilization of the foot is the next priority, so creating a homemade splint is acceptable. Keep in mind that while creating a splint, any increase of pain or cutting off blood circulation means that the splint should be removed immediately. Use ice to decrease swelling and relieve pain symptoms.

When dealing with a medical center, the patient should note that the treatment can vary. The treatment will depend on the severity of the fracture and the cause of the break. Crutches, splits, or casts are common treatments while surgery has been known to be used in more severe cases in order to repair the break in the bones. 

Broken Ankles

Broken ankles are a serious injury that can lead to an inability to walk, function, and also cause a significant amount of pain. A broken ankle is a break in one of the three bones in your body that connect at the ankle joint, the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and fibula are your two primary leg bones that connect at the knee, which sit directly upon the talus bone. This is protected by a fibrous membrane that allows for movement in our ankle joint. A broken ankle is usually caused by the foot rolling under or twisting too far, causing one of these three bones to snap.

A broken ankle is different from an ankle sprain, which occurs when the ligaments are ripped or torn but no bones have been broken. A sprain can still be very severe, causing bruising in the foot and an inability to hold your own weight, much like a broken ankle would. If you’re unable to stand, and suspect that you have a broken ankle, the first thing to do would be to get an immediate x-ray to determine the severity of the break.

A common cause of broken ankles is when the ankle is rolled over with enough pressure to break the bones. This usually happens during exercise, sports, or other physical activity. Another common cause is a fall or jump from a tall height.

One immediate treatment for pain relief is elevating the feet above your head to reduce blood flow to the injured area. You can also apply ice packs to your ankles to help reduce swelling, redness, inflammation, and pain. After these initial steps, getting a cast and staying off your feet as much as possible will aid in the recovery of the broken ankle. The less movement and stress the ankle has to endure, the more complete it will heal. A doctor can determine if surgery is needed in order to heal correctly. In these cases, an operation may be the only option to ensure the ability to walk properly again, followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation.

It is highly important to determine if surgery is needed early on, because a broken ankle can become much more severe than you realize. If not professionally treated, the broken ankle will inhibit your walking, daily functioning, and produce a large amount of pain. Treating your broken ankle early on will help prevent further damage to it.

Metatarsalgia is a condition in which the ball of the foot becomes painful and inflamed.  The condition often occurs due to overuse and in athletes who participate in high-impact sports or activities that require extensive running and jumping, such as tennis, football, baseball, soccer, and track and field.  Other causes for the condition include foot deformities, improper footwear or poorly fitting shoes, stress fractures, Morton’s neuroma, or excess weight.

Symptoms of metatarsalgia revolve around pain felt in the ball of the foot.  Sharp, aching, or burning pain is typically described.  Pain may also worsen while standing, running, or walking before improving while resting.  Sometimes the feeling of having a pebble in one’s shoe is described.

Treatment for metatarsalgia typically includes icing and bandaging the area.  Your podiatrist may recommend that you avoid placing pressure on the foot for the first day.  After this, orthotics, metatarsal pads, and ultrasound treatments may be used.

If you are experiencing metatarsalgia or are experiencing symptoms similar to the condition, avoid further physical activity that may strain the area. Contact us today to learn more about proper treatment!

Dr. Szpiro and Dr. Manchanda are experts in the treatment of toenail fungus through the use of laser therapy. Dr. Szpiro has also lectured extensively on laser treatment at the APMA Annual Scientific Meeting.

Toenail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is a very common infection of the nail.  Initially, toenail fungus may present as white spots on the nail or black spots beneath the nail.  Ridges will typically start to form, and the nail will seem rougher to the touch.  As the infection progresses, the nail may thicken and become brittle, discolored, or misshapen.  The growing fungus separates the layers of keratin in the toenail, which leads to the characteristic distorted look. 

Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to cure with over-the-counter medicines. From foot soaks to ointments, the efficacy of such treatments is extremely varied.  Our practice, however, offers the Cutera Laser Genesis, advanced laser technology available to clear toenail fungus and a variety of other skin conditions through the Cutera Laser Genesis procedure.  Treatment itself involves the delivery of pulsed laser energy to the targeted area of the nail and/or skin, where it passes through and is absorbed to reach the fungus.  Cutera Laser Genesis is safe, comfortable, and effective.

Laser toenail fungus treatments are now used all over the world and can be performed in-office.  The number of treatments required to cure the fungal infection varies by patient.  If you are interested in Cutera Laser Genesis, contact our office today!