Tuesday, 07 May 2024 00:00

A broken foot, or foot fracture, occurs when one or more bones in the foot are cracked or broken. This can happen due to trauma from accidents, falls, sports injuries, or from repetitive stress over time. Fractures are categorized as open, when the bone breaks through the skin, or closed, where the skin remains intact. Treatment for a broken foot depends on the location and severity of the fracture. It may involve immobilization with a cast or splint, rest, elevation, and sometimes surgery to realign the bones and facilitate proper healing. If you have broken your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide expert assessment, develop a tailored treatment plan, and offer ongoing care to ensure optimal recovery and long-term foot health.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from North Penn Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

  • Bruising
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blue in color
  • Numbness
  • Cold
  • Misshapen
  • Cuts
  • Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

Read more about Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for a Broken Foot
Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:00

Ankle sprains occur when ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn, often due to sudden twisting movements. Common causes include sports injuries, walking or running on uneven surfaces, or accidents. Prevention involves maintaining strength and flexibility through regular exercise, wearing supportive footwear, and using caution during physical activities. Immediate treatment for ankle sprains includes rest, compression, and elevation. Gentle exercises to restore range of motion and strength may aid in recovery. However, severe sprains may require medical attention, including immobilization with a brace or splint, or, in rare cases, surgery. If you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from North Penn 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
  • 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 offices located in Lansdale, and King of Prussia, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Ankle Pain
Tuesday, 23 April 2024 00:00

Foot and ankle stress fractures encompass various types, commonly occurring among athletes due to repetitive impact activities like running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. These fractures result from the accumulation of microtrauma, leading to small cracks in the bones. Athletes often describe the sensation as a gradual onset of localized pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Stress fractures can occur in different areas of the foot and ankle, including the metatarsals, navicular, calcaneus, and fibula. Prompt diagnosis is important to prevent further damage and facilitate proper healing. If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. A podiatrist can employ techniques like imaging studies, biomechanical assessments, and customized treatment plans. By providing targeted interventions and guidance on activity modification, podiatrists help shorten your time away from sports and expedite your return to activity with reduced risk of complications.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from North Penn 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 our offices located in Lansdale, and King of Prussia, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Tuesday, 16 April 2024 00:00

Athletes often experience heel pain due to the intense and repetitive stress placed on their feet during training. One common heel pain problem is plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot. Another is Achilles tendonitis, which involves inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel. These conditions can result from overuse, inadequate footwear, or improper training techniques. While most athletes respond well to conservative treatments like rest, stretches, and orthotics, there are times when these measures do not provide sufficient relief. In such cases, a podiatrist may suggest surgery as a last resort. Many factors go into deciding whether surgery is the best option, such as weighing the athlete's condition severity, pain levels, and impact on their performance and quality of life. If you are an athlete struggling with heel pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a personalized treatment plan. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of North Penn Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Weight change           
  • Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Lansdale, and King of Prussia, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Heel Pain

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