Items filtered by date: March 2021

A broken or fractured bone in the foot is not always obvious. While it may cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking, your doctor will still need to perform certain tests in order to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays, CT scans, bone scans, or an MRI can all be used to visualize the broken bone, as well as other foot injuries. If a bone in the foot is broken, a podiatrist may prescribe a variety of treatments depending on the severity of the break. These may include modifying daily activities to reduce stress on the affected foot, wearing a cast or splint, or surgery. If you suspect that you may have broken your foot, please seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar warts are warts that appear on the bottoms of the feet due to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Plantar warts often look like circular spots of thick, callused skin. These spots will typically have tiny black dots on the surface, which are actually bits of dried blood. Plantar warts are usually flat and grow inwards as pressure from walking is applied to them. This often leads to pain. A plantar wart can occur on its own, multiply to form additional satellite warts, or can appear as a “mosaic” of several plantar warts growing closely together. Warts on the bottom of the feet can be treated with topical or oral medications, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. To learn more about plantar warts, please speak with a podiatrist. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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

Tenosynovitis is an ailment in which the tendon sheath, the layer of tissue that surrounds each tendon in the body, becomes inflamed. This often occurs in the tendons of the lower limbs, and particularly in the tendons of the ankle. The tendon sheaths in the ankle can become inflamed from repetitive activities that strain them, such as walking or running for long distances. Symptoms of ankle tenosynovitis include pain, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty moving the ankle. Tenosynovitis usually responds well to conservative treatments, such as resting and immobilizing the affected ankle and taking over the counter pain medications. For more information about tenosynovitis, please consult with a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sesamoids are tiny bones that are situated in a muscle or connected to tendons. There are two tiny sesamoids in the front of the foot that provide mobility to the big toe and aid the tendons. Sesamoiditis occurs when these tendons become swollen or irritated, which can cause pain in the big toe or ball of the foot, or prevent full motion of the big toe. A podiatrist can examine your foot, and perform various tests and X-rays to help determine if you have this condition, which can be common among certain athletes and dancers. Treatment is typically non-surgical, and may include over-the-counter pain killers, resting and icing the area, taping the big toe to restrict movement, and wearing certain orthopedic pads or soft-soled shoes. If the situation persists, a short brace or steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and help the area heal properly. Surgery to remove the sesamoid may be an option if more conservative measures fail to provide relief. If you believe you may have sesamoiditis, don’t delay in seeking professional treatment from a podiatrist.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glen Mills, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.