Items filtered by date: January 2024

Nerve pain in the ball of the foot, often associated with a condition known as Freiberg disease, can be particularly distressing. This condition entails the necrosis of parts of the bones in the ball of the foot, typically affecting the second metatarsal head beside the big toe. Freiberg disease is common among girls experiencing rapid growth during puberty or others with specific bone length discrepancies. It is further aggravated by activities such as dancing, jogging, or running. Symptoms include pain during weight-bearing, especially when pushing off the foot, and stiffness and swelling in the affected joint. Diagnosis involves X-rays to reveal the necrotic changes in the bones. Treatment options for Freiberg disease range from non-invasive to surgical interventions. Changes in footwear, such as opting for low heeled shoes with thicker soles or rocker sole modifications, have proved beneficial. Additionally, custom orthotics that alter foot movement, can relieve pressure on the affected joints. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. If you have pain in the ball of your foot that impedes your mobility, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough exam and diagnosis, followed by an appropriate treatment plan.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Ross Limon, DPM from Boca Deerfield Footcare Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Gait analysis is a valuable tool for runners, regardless of their experience level. It helps runners understand their running style, which is essential for selecting the right shoes. The primary focus of gait analysis is assessing pronation, which is how the foot rolls during walking and running. Pronation acts as a natural shock absorber, distributing impact forces. Gait analysis matches pronation type with appropriate shoe types to counterbalance overpronation or under pronation, reducing injury risk and enhancing running efficiency. It helps choose between neutral or stability, supportive running shoes and identifies inefficiencies in foot, leg, and body movements that may lead to injuries or affect performance. Gait analysis can also identify other issues, such as slow cadence, heel striking, lack of core strength, and flexibility problems. Addressing these issues through strength-building, flexibility work, and proper shoe selection can prevent injuries and improve efficiency. If you are a runner or plan on embarking on running as a new sport, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a gait analysis and recommendation for the proper type of running shoe for you.

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact Ross Limon, DPM from Boca Deerfield Footcare Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

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

Fractures affecting the toes are a frequent occurrence. These fractures are often the result of crushing injuries or from stubbing the toes. While less common, joint hyperextension and stress fractures can also lead to toe fractures. Patients typically experience tenderness at the fracture site or pain when gentle pressure is applied to the affected digit. Imaging tools are valuable for identifying fractures, assessing displacement, and evaluating nearby areas and toes. There may be compromised circulation, open fractures, or significant soft tissue damage. Additionally, displaced or unstable fractures of the first toe may involve more than 25 percent of the joint surface. Stable, nondisplaced toe fractures are typically treated with buddy taping and the use of a rigid-sole shoe to restrict joint mobility. In contrast, displaced fractures of the lesser toes require reduction where the bone is manipulated back into place and buddy taping. If you have a broken toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment that will help relieve pain.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Ross Limon, DPM from Boca Deerfield Footcare Center. 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 Deerfield Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the adjacent skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling. Although the big toe is commonly affected, any toenail can become ingrown. Various factors contribute to ingrown toenails, including wearing ill-fitting shoes, improper toenail trimming, injuries, and inherent deformities. If the area becomes infected, characterized by redness, swelling and pus, it is strongly suggested that you see a podiatrist for immediate treatment. Severe cases of ingrown toenails may necessitate surgical intervention, involving the removal of the ingrown portion of the nail. Ablation, applying a small electrical charge or liquid solution during surgery, may help to prevent future ingrowth. In some cases a portion of the toenail, or the entire toenail may need to be removed. However, if you do not practice good foot care, the problem is more likely to reoccur. If you have surgery, it can take two to four months for your nail to grow back. Seeking a professional diagnosis is beneficial for those with recurring ingrown toenails or individuals with diabetes. Wearing comfortable shoes aids healing, but persistent or worsening symptoms require medical attention. To safely manage problematic ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Ross Limon, DPM of Boca Deerfield Footcare Center. 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 Deerfield Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain can arise from diverse origins, often requiring an understanding for effective management. Sprains, the most prevalent cause, occur when ligaments are stretched beyond their limits, resulting in pain and swelling. Arthritis, encompassing various forms, can inflame the ankle joints, causing persistent pain and stiffness. Fractures, stemming from injuries or trauma, manifest as sharp pain and limited mobility. Tendonitis, the inflammation of tendons surrounding the ankle, contributes to discomfort during movement. Overuse or repetitive stress on the ankle, particularly in activities such as running, may lead to conditions including Achilles tendonitis. Inflammatory conditions like gout or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ankle joints, intensifying pain. Addressing ankle pain necessitates a thorough assessment of the underlying cause. A proper diagnosis may consist of having X-rays or other imaging tests taken, which can rule out a broken ankle. If you have ankle pain, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can offer you the treatment method that is right for you. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Ross Limon, DPM from Boca Deerfield Footcare Center. Our doctor 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 our office located in Deerfield Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.