Items filtered by date: May 2024

Podiatrists are highly trained foot and ankle specialists capable of addressing a wide array of foot conditions. These range from common issues like nail infections to more complex problems like broken bones or diabetes-related complications. The feet are intricate structures composed of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, all working in harmony to support your body weight and facilitate movement. When foot pain strikes, it can severely limit your mobility and impede your ability to carry out daily activities. That's where contacting a podiatrist comes in. These foot doctors can diagnose and treat all types of foot, toe, and ankle ailments. Whether you have a nail infection, arthritis, flat feet, or diabetic foot complications, seeking medical help is essential. A podiatrist can provide tailored treatment plans, including medication, custom orthotics, and other types of treatment to alleviate symptoms to prevent further damage. If you are experiencing persistent foot, toe and ankle pain, or swelling, numbness, and other concerning symptoms, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for evaluation and care. 

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Suncoast Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

• Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
• Use innovative methods to treat conditions
• Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
• Correct walking patterns and balance
• Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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

Clubfoot, a condition present at birth, can cause challenges as your child grows. Clubfoot is recognized by inward and downward foot placement, sometimes leading to differences in leg sizes. Clubfoot is typically diagnosed shortly after birth and affects about one in every 1,000 births, with boys affected more often than girls. This condition puts strain on the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel. Treatment often involves gentle manipulation and therapy to help the foot develop normally. If left untreated, it can lead to difficulty walking and discomfort. Seeking early help from a podiatrist is important for managing clubfoot effectively and ensuring a healthier future for your child. In addition to Achilles tendon strain, other symptoms may arise, including pain, rigid leg movements, and difficulties with balance and sleep. Severe cases may require surgery, while milder cases can often be managed with braces and therapy. For help in managing clubfoot in your child, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Suncoast Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Strong feet are essential for stability, balance, and overall foot health. Incorporating targeted foot exercises into your routine can help strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your feet while reducing the risk of injuries and improving performance in various activities. Toe scrunches are a simple yet effective exercise that involves scrunching your toes toward the sole of your foot and then spreading them out as wide as possible. Another beneficial exercise is toe raises, where you lift your toes off the ground while keeping your heels planted and then lower them back down. Additionally, practicing calf raises can strengthen the muscles in your lower legs and feet, enhancing stability and power. You can also use resistance bands to perform exercises, such as toe flexion and extension, which target specific muscles in the feet and ankles. It is important to be informed about overall foot health, and if you are seeking additional foot stretches to perform, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Suncoast Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

For persistent or severe ingrown toenails that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgical options offer alternative solutions. One common procedure is a partial nail avulsion. In this procedure, a podiatrist, or foot doctor, removes the part of the nail that is digging into the skin. They may apply a chemical called phenol to the nail bed to prevent that portion of the nail from growing back, reducing the chance of recurrence. In recurrent cases, a total nail avulsion might be necessary, which involves the removal of the whole nail. These procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia in a podiatrist's office, allowing for quick recovery time and minimal disruption to daily activities. Surgical intervention not only resolves the pain and infection associated with an ingrown toenail but also helps prevent future issues, along with proper nail care and guidance from a podiatrist. If you are struggling with persistent ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Suncoast Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 Ocala, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.