The most common causes of toe fractures are stubbing your toe (known medically as axial force) or by dropping something heavy on it. Symptoms of toe fractures include bruising, swelling, and throbbing pain. You likely will feel tenderness when you touch the site of the injury. The most common fractures are to the big toe. The big toe affects your balance, as well as your ability to walk and bear weight. A series of X-rays may be used to determine the site and severity of the break. A fractured big toe will usually be treated with a splint and rigid sole shoe to prevent joint movement. For the lesser toes, two or even three may be taped together with gauze in between to stabilize them, a process known as buddy taping. Some kind of open walking cast may also be used. It may take from three to six weeks for toe fractures to heal, or until point tenderness subsides. For help with a broken toe, or toes, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.  

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor 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 our office located in Las Vegas, Nevada . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Some people are born without an arch in their foot and have flat feet. This may or may not cause problems, but if problems arise, it is usually displayed in pain – of the feet, knees, hips, and/or lower back. Strain from awkward pulling of muscles connected to the feet can throw a person’s whole body out of alignment. Without an arch in the foot, body weight is distributed unevenly. There is no cure for flat feet. Alleviating symptoms may include resting the feet, wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes, using store-bought or custom-made orthotic inserts for additional arch support, stretching exercises, medication, and cortisone injections. Seeing a podiatrist is suggested for a thorough examination of your feet and guidance as to the best treatment plan to manage flat feet.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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

Whether you have a temporary problem like athlete’s foot, a chronic condition like bunions, or a sprained ankle, if it affects your toes, feet, or ankles, a podiatrist is the right person to see. Podiatrists are doctors who are specifically trained to examine, diagnose, and treat a great many such problems. The following are reasons to make an appointment with a podiatrist: Foot or ankle pain from a sprain, strain, or fracture. Itchy feet that have developed blisters and perhaps cracked skin between the toes may probably have athlete’s foot. Blisters that are extremely painful and may be infected. Joint pain in the foot and ankle, especially if it impedes standing or walking. Diabetes is a major contributor to foot and ankle conditions that may threaten your limb or life, including peripheral neuropathy (numbness) and peripheral artery disease (blocking the flow of blood to the foot). Heel pain, of which plantar fasciitis is the most common, especially for athletes and people who stand for long periods of time. An ingrown toenail is a temporary problem that can become a major problem if ignored. A bunion occurs as a protruding bone that changes the alignment of your feet and becomes extremely painful. Corns and calluses cause thickened skin and usually develop from improper footwear that becomes painful. Broken bones, stress fractures, sprains, and strains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot and ankle. If any of these conditions are causing you pain or discomfort, please see a podiatrist.  

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

• Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
• Use innovative methods to treat conditions
• Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
• Correct walking patterns and balance
• Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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

A fungal infection of the toenails is medically referred to as onychomycosis. It can be unsightly as a result of the toenails becoming thick and yellowed, which are common symptoms of toenail fungus. It is considered to be a contagious infection and lives and thrives in warm and moist environments. These types of places can include public swimming pools, shower room floors, and locker rooms. It is advised to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas, in addition to refraining from sharing towels, shoes, and socks. These may be effective prevention methods, but it is also suggested to frequently wash and thoroughly dry the feet, as well as practice overall good hygiene. Toenail fungus can be difficult to treat and may take several months. If you have symptoms of this condition, it is strongly advised that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine the best treatment options for you.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM of Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Las Vegas, Nevada . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When children experience a growth spurt during puberty there can be an imbalance in the growth rate of their muscles, bones, and tendons. This is termed Sever’s disease, which generally affects children between the ages of 8 and 14. This condition occurs because the muscles and tendons in the heel become tight, pulling on the growth plate (cartilage) in the back of the heel. It is quite common in children who are particularly active in sports with a lot of running and jumping or other strenuous activities, such as gymnastics and dancing. Your child may experience redness or swelling in the back of the heel, stiffness in the feet first thing in the morning, and pain when the heel is squeezed on both sides. You also may notice them limping or walking on their tiptoes. Cutting down on the activities which induce the pain is one way to help alleviate symptoms of Sever’s disease, which may last for a few months. To be on the safe side, however, it is a good idea to introduce your child to a podiatrist who can conduct a full examination and suggest a program of treatment. 

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM from Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nevada. Our Doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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