Foot & Ankle Specialty Blog

Ankle pain is one of the most common complaints we treat here at Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists. From complex sprains to simple overuse, your ankles can suffer from one of dozens of different problems that all result in pain. Thankfully, all these causes tend to respond well to the same basic treatments too. In addition to resting the ankle and following any treatment plans we recommend, try these tips for relieving minor ankle pain on your own.

Are you concerned that you may have athlete’s foot? One of the telltale signs of the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is itching and burning between the toes. The fungus tends to grow best in confined and sweaty conditions.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a knot that forms on the outer side of your big toe joint when the bone or tissue of the big toe joint moves out of place, making your big toe turn in and push against the next toe. Bunions are often red, swollen and/or painful, and they can also become so large that it is difficult to find shoes that are comfortable to wear.

Our late president George H.W. Bush had a love for both colorful and fashionable socks. As a matter of fact, he owned quite an impressive collection of festive socks that he would wear depending on his mood or the occasion. Even after the 41st President began to experience failing health, his penchant for wearing trendy socks only grew. Most speculate that the colorful addition to his daily wardrobe was no longer about impressing those where he went, but it was more of a personal statement about who he was.

When the base of your big toe becomes swollen and results in a large bump, you may have a bunion. Over time, bunions can lead to arthritis and often result in intense foot pain. The good news is that, to give your bunion the boot, you don't always need to have surgery. Since the bunion results as a biochemical deformity, you can use special foot exercises that will increase the flexibility in the area and alleviate some of the symptoms.

Overview
A hammer toe is a condition in which the toe has an unusual bend in the middle joint. Experts attribute the unevenness to the muscles responsible for holding the toe straight. Also, certain types of shoes, diseases, and trauma on your foot could have a hand in the development of a hammertoe. The ligaments and tendons around this portion of the foot may also be affected.

Proper running shoes should not be a reserve of the ‘elite’ runners. Casual joggers, workout enthusiasts, and walkers could all benefit from fitting running shoes. Running causes a significant amount of strain on the feet, knees, and ankles, and an ill-fitting shoe could result in the following injuries:

The short answer is Yes. Yes, you should you should go to the doctor if you suspect your toe is broken.

When you drop a weight on your toe or stub it, it’s difficult to say what comes first, the swearing or the pain. And if it is indeed broken, it's hard to believe how much a small bone can wreak such havoc.  However, on the brighter side, most toe fractures require simple treatments such as buddy splinting and probably a wider stable shoe. Some toe fractures, though, may require surgery to allow them to heal in the correct alignment. This is the main reason why you may need to have your toe sprain or fracture evaluated. 

A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that about 14% of the U.S. population suffers from onychomycosis (toenail infection) at some point in their lives. Toenail infections are unpleasant and some can even be disgusting. The fungi causing onychomycosis are mostly present on the body’s skin alongside other bacteria, but once the fungus overgrows, an infection is imminent.