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Tuesday, 12 March 2024 00:00

Smoking can significantly affect foot health by restricting blood flow and impairing bone growth and healing processes. Nicotine in tobacco narrows blood vessels, reducing circulation to the extremities. Further, chemicals in cigarettes weaken vessel linings, which promotes plaque buildup and further compromises blood flow to the feet. This increases the risk of conditions like peripheral arterial disease and blood clot formation. A diagnosis typically involves blood tests, comparative blood pressure exams, and imaging studies. Treatment strategies vary, often incorporating lifestyle adjustments, such as exercise and a balanced diet, along with managing cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Additional risk factors that affect foot health include diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. While quitting smoking is vital, consulting with a podiatrist is an essential part of the comprehensive care needed. A podiatrist can offer guidance to mitigate smoking-related foot problems. If you're a smoker and notice that you are having problems with your feet, it is suggested that you add a podiatrist to your team of healthcare experts. 

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 Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. 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 one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 05 March 2024 00:00

One significant risk facing runners is the potential for stress fractures, which are hairline cracks in one of many bones in the feet. Metatarsal stress fractures often occur in the 2nd or 3rd metatarsals, due to their structure and the forces exerted during running. Pronation can add to the amount of stress on these bones. Navicular stress fractures can be recognized as midfoot pain on the outside of the foot. This type of fracture is more common in runners with flat feet or those engaged in track and field or middle distance running. Calcaneus stress fractures cause heel pain, especially during weight-bearing activities. They are often the result of increased training intensity or frequency. Stress fractures in the big toe are most often found in the bone closest to the first metatarsal. These fractures occur due to repetitive loading during running, resulting in localized pain and swelling around the first metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint.  If you have pain in your feet that may be the result of running, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and diagnosis.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. 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 one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Friday, 01 March 2024 00:00

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 00:00

Recovering from a broken toe can be a frustrating journey, but with the right exercises, you can expedite the healing process and regain strength and flexibility in your toe. Start with passive toe exercises, where you sit comfortably and use gentle movements to bend your toe forward and backward, gradually increasing flexibility. Toe curls help to strengthen the muscles surrounding the toe, promoting stability and mobility. Towel scrunches provide a great opportunity to work on grip strength and dexterity by using your toes to scrunch a towel towards you and then push it back. Marble pick-ups add a fun and challenging element to your routine as you aim to pick up marbles with your toes and place them into a cup, which improves coordination and control. Lastly, the towel stretch helps to elongate the muscles and tissues in the toe, enhancing flexibility and reducing stiffness. Consistency is key, so aim to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to support a speedy recovery. If you need help in dealing with a broken toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising on the skin and toenail
  • The inability to move the toe
  • Toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Know About a Broken Toe
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