Items filtered by date: July 2022

There are many reasons why your ankle may hurt. You may have sprained, strained, or fractured your ankle, or ruptured your Achilles tendon. Perhaps some form of arthritis has settled into the ankle joint, or you may have fallen arches. A less common reason for ankle pain is an infection. You are more susceptible to developing an infection in your ankle if you have recently had surgery or have suffered a cut or other form of trauma in the area, and bacteria entered through the open skin. A painful ankle infection is sometimes accompanied by warmth, swelling, or redness in the affected area as well as fever and fatigue. Any infection is a potentially serious condition and should be attended to promptly. If you are having any of the symptoms mentioned here, it is suggested to make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will examine your ankle and make an accurate diagnosis in order to treat the condition properly.

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 Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. 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 our office located in Derry, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A blackened area under the toenail occurs when blood collects beneath the nail as the result of damage to the toe. The condition is sometimes referred to as tennis toe, or runner’s toe. It is also known as a subungual hematoma. When the toe is repeatedly jammed against the toebox of a shoe, it may cause bruising that seems to turn the toenail black. The big toe is typically affected, causing a throbbing pain under the nail. The condition is often the result of constant changes in direction. This can occur while playing certain sports or experiencing a continuous pounding while running. It can also be caused by a traumatic injury to the toe, such as dropping something heavy on the toe. In many cases, the toe will heal on its own with rest, ice, and elevation. But if the toe is causing intense pain or the area becomes infected, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for a complete exam and proper diagnosis. In some cases, the area may need to be drained or the toenail itself removed by a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors 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 office located in Derry, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Taking small but deliberate steps everyday to care for your feet can help to keep them functioning well and feeling great. Although each individual’s daily foot care routine is a highly individualized process, there are a number of steps you might consider incorporating into your routine. First, try washing your feet every day with soap and warm water to ensure that they are clean. This can be done either in the shower or in a small tub of water. After washing your feet, dry them thoroughly with a towel and apply your favorite moisturizer, focusing especially on the heels to prevent cracks and dryness. You might also consider taking time each day to briefly inspect your feet, checking for any signs of infection. During these inspections, you should be on the lookout for cuts, redness, and inflammation. To cap off your daily foot care routine, you might also check to make sure that your toenails do not need to be trimmed. Leaving your toenails untrimmed for too long might put you at a greater risk of developing an ingrown toenail. To learn more about these daily health tips and others, reach out to a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Pain in one’s toes can interfere with a running routine. Toe injuries while running can heal in a short amount of time with care and rest, but a more serious problem with a toe may derail a runner’s routine and set them back for longer than comfortable. Common toe problems in runners range from mild blisters to more serious hammertoes and stress fractures. A blister is caused by friction between the skin and shoes or socks. The outer layer of the skin separates from the inner layer and fills with lymph fluid. These are most common when a runner wears new shoes for the first time or increases their mileage. A hammertoe causes one or more of the smaller toes to bend upward. A corn or callus can develop on top of such a toe causing it to rub against shoes and the toe joint(s) can become swollen and painful. Stress fractures are common in teen athletes and are a result of overdoing runs. If a toenail becomes painful and begins to blacken, it might be runner’s toe. This is when the nail is under pressure because a shoe is too tight, or the toe is impacted repeatedly while running. Pressure causes friction between the nail and surrounding tissue. Fluid accumulates and blood capillaries break, causing the toenail to change color and pain to come on. The blackened toenail will eventually fall off, but this could take months. If you are a runner and you have toe pain, consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose the problem and determine how to best treat it.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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