Of the painful conditions that can affect the feet, many of them can affect the toes. For example, ingrown toenails, which occur when the nail curls into the skin, can cause pain and swelling around the base of the toenails. Bunions are another painful condition that form bony lumps at the base of the big toe, often as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight. Pain, swelling and bruising will also be present with any broken toes, and walking will be difficult. Gout, which occurs when crystals build up in the toes due to high purines in the blood, can cause pain and stiffness around the joints of the toe. Patients who have pain in their toes that is severe, worsening, or leads to a loss of sensation would be wise to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment option. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

If you’ve ever stopped to look at your baby’s feet, you’ve likely noticed that they are different from a typical adult’s feet. Rather than being born with fully-formed, mini adult feet, children’s feet go through several stages of development. At birth, a baby’s feet are soft and flat. Their bones start out as pieces of cartilage and their toes are almost all equal in length and surrounded by a layer of fat. From 9 to 24 months, a baby’s feet will still be flat, but their bones are slowly developing with gaps between them. At age 2 and beyond, the soft fat in the foot will slowly start to disappear, and the arches of the feet will become visible. The small foot bones develop further, eventually merging so that each foot contains 26 bones. To learn more about healthy foot development and how to best care for your baby’s feet, please consult with a podiatrist. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM of Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

The foot consists of 26 bones. When one or more of these bones are broken, it is known as a foot fracture. Although it may sound frightening, a broken foot is not always an emergency. Whether or not you should rush to the ER depends on the severity of the injury. If you are experiencing mild pain, swelling, and bruising, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. If, however, you have moderate to severe pain, swelling, bruising, visible deformity, numbness, coldness, or discoloration in the injured foot, it is strongly suggested that you seek emergency treatment. For more information about foot fractures, please consult with a podiatrist.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor 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 office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—a long fibrous tissue spanning the sole of the foot—becomes damaged or torn due to overuse, obesity, or structural issues with the foot. Pain and stiffness from plantar fasciitis is typically worse in the morning upon waking, and gets better as the body warms up. You can help prevent plantar fasciitis from occurring by warming up before exercising, wearing shoes that fit well with structure in the heel and support in the arch, and gradually build up duration and intensity when modifying your workout routine. If you have pain in your heel, make an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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