Items filtered by date: May 2022

The most common causes of toe fractures are stubbing your toe (known medically as axial force) or by dropping something heavy on it. Symptoms of toe fractures include bruising, swelling, and throbbing pain. You likely will feel tenderness when you touch the site of the injury. The most common fractures are to the big toe. The big toe affects your balance, as well as your ability to walk and bear weight. A series of X-rays may be used to determine the site and severity of the break. A fractured big toe will usually be treated with a splint and rigid sole shoe to prevent joint movement. For the lesser toes, two or even three may be taped together with gauze in between to stabilize them, a process known as buddy taping. Some kind of open walking cast may also be used. It may take from three to six weeks for toe fractures to heal, or until point tenderness subsides. For help with a broken toe, or toes, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.  

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

We all have sore feet from time to time. After all, our feet do a lot of work for us and put in long hours. There are a variety of ways to soothe sore feet at home. Generally, using a combination of treatments work best to revitalize sore feet. Warm foot baths using Epsom salts can relieve swollen, painful feet. Stretching the toes and heels can aid with foot pain by increasing flexibility and preventing cramping. Foot pain can be avoided by strengthening and resistance exercises to help keep feet strong and limber. Orthotics or arch supports can help stabilize the feet and eliminate discomfort. Simple icing of aching feet can reduce inflammation that may be caused by soreness. Wearing night splints can help with keeping feet stretched properly to avoid or control foot pain. If you have painful, achy feet or tingling or numbness in your feet, a podiatrist should be consulted and treatment prescribed.

Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, consult with Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Most Common Injuries

People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track. 

What to Do When Injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:

Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.

Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.

Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A tiny crack in the bone is known as a stress fracture. It generally develops as a result of repetitive pressure that can come from participating in running and jumping activities. If you see your child limping or choosing not to take part in these types of activities, this may indicate a stress fracture. Some of the symptoms typically associated with this condition include swelling, pain, and tenderness when touched. Some children may endure this type of fracture from nutritional deficiencies or fragile bones. It is suggested that the activity that caused the stress fracture be temporarily stopped, which gives the foot a chance to heal. Additionally, many children wear a boot or cast, which can be helpful in providing stability as the healing process occurs. If you think your child has developed a stress fracture, it is strongly suggested that you speak with a podiatrist as quickly as possible to discuss correct treatment options with you.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor 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 Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the joints of the feet. One who has RA of the feet often experiences pain and swelling in the feet, which can impair functioning and quality of life. Though there is no cure for this condition, treatments focus on preventing the disease from progressing by reducing or stopping joint inflammation. One might experience relief from one or a combination of RA management regimens, such as anti-inflammatory medication, more supportive footwear, orthotics, physical or occupational therapy, and even surgery. If you are experiencing pain from RA of the feet, consult with a podiatrist who can help devise a treatment plan to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms and preserve joint structure and function.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

Parents who notice the skin surrounding their children's nails are red and tender may be aware that an ingrown toenail has developed. It is defined as a toenail that grows into the surrounding skin. It often happens as a result of toenails that are trimmed incorrectly, or from wearing shoes that do not fit properly. Additionally, children who participate in soccer activities can develop ingrown toenails from frequently kicking the ball. There could be considerable pain with an ingrown toenail, in addition to possible blisters. Parents can help their child find mild relief when the foot is soaked in warm water, and the nail is gently pushed away from the skin. If an infection develops, it is strongly advised that you speak with a podiatrist who can offer you the best treatment options for your child.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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