Items filtered by date: September 2022

Experiencing painful sensations in the feet can prove to be a big annoyance and something that might hinder your normal activities. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the many different types of pain you could experience—toe pain is one important kind. Toe pain has a variety of causes. One of the most common sources of toe pain is simply wearing ill-fitting footwear that is too tight around the toes. If you notice pain, swelling, and discoloration in one particular toe, this pain may be caused by a broken toe. Alternatively, if you are experiencing pain around the toenail (particularly at the sides of the nail), it is possible that this is due to an ingrown toenail. Lastly, if you have some kind of pain around the joint of a toe, and the skin around this area has become red in color or hot in temperature, this could be caused by gout. If you are unsure what is causing your toe pain, a podiatrist can help you identify and treat the problem.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Brett Dupont, DPM of Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor 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 offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Maintaining healthy feet is an essential component to maintaining overall health and wellness–this is especially true for senior citizens. The elderly ought to take particular care of the health of their feet because if a senior does not have excellent feeling in their feet, infections and other afflictions can go unnoticed. This can lead to further complications down the road. Seniors also ought to take an interest in the health of their feet because as an individual ages, they may experience poorer circulation in their feet. For instance, blood may not travel as fast to the feet as it used to. An elderly person can be diligent about keeping their feet healthy simply by maintaining a daily foot care routine, including properly cleansing and moisturizing the feet. If you are a senior citizen, contact a podiatrist about foot care techniques today.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Calcaneal apophysitis is a foot condition that affects young teenagers and children. It is referred to as Sever’s disease, and it targets people in this age group who frequently participate in running and jumping activities. The growth plate in the heel is affected causing severe pain and discomfort and physical activities may have to temporarily be stopped as the healing process occurs. This condition happens as a result of excessive pressure that is placed on the growth plate, where it connects to the Achilles tendon. This tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and can become sore and swollen when the growth plate endures this type of stress. You may notice your child limps while walking, or some children find it more comfortable to walk on their toes. There are specific stretches that can be performed which may be helpful in finding mild relief as well as wear shoes that fit correctly. If your child has heel pain, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose Sever’s disease and offer treatment techniques.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Running shoes and walking shoes have different purposes and, therefore, are built differently. Running shoes are lighter in weight in order to facilitate speed and feel light on the feet. They also have a stiffer sole, a thicker heel for support and cushioning, and motion control features built in to reduce pronation and unbridled foot motions. Walking shoes provide arch support. They are generally heavier and offer more cushioning, however, heels should not be as thick as running shoes and soles should be more flexible and bendable. A podiatrist can offer additional advice on specific features you should look for in either a running or walking shoe, based on your individual feet, your gait or running stride, and to help address any biomechanical, structural, or alignment issues you may have. 

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

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