Items filtered by date: October 2022

When you are walking along and suddenly your ankle gives way, causing the foot to roll over onto its side, you may have chronic ankle instability. Common complaints of ankle instability include repeated turning of the ankle, frequent swelling, pain, and tenderness. The main cause connected to chronic instability is repeated ankle sprains. Often the reason for this is not allowing the ankle to heal completely after a sprain. This healing process can take months, and impatience to get back to the activity may put the ankle at risk for another sprain. The ligaments may become overstretched, increasing the instability of the joint and putting other parts of the foot at risk for injury. Seeking the help of a podiatrist is essential in dealing with ankle instability when it reaches the chronic level. Both nonsurgical and surgical options may be needed. After a thorough examination and diagnosis, a podiatrist can determine the best treatment options for you.  

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Cory Brown, DPM from Cory Brown, DPM. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Seniors must take extra special care in maintaining healthy feet because as individuals age, they can become more susceptible to foot afflictions. One potential way in which a senior might be able to provide extra care for the health of their feet is by performing a foot bath to clean the feet. However, there are several things a senior should keep in mind. First, after performing a foot bath, it is important for the individual to completely dry their feet. A senior might need someone else to help them perform this critical step. Whoever is drying the feet should be mindful of drying in between the toes as well. Second, it is important to make sure that the temperature of the water in the foot bath is sufficient and not too hot. Making sure the temperature is not too hot might be difficult for some seniors because some might have conditions that reduce sensations in the feet. If you want to learn more about elderly foot care, contact a podiatrist today.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Cory Brown, DPM from Cory Brown, DPM. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

Many people experience foot pain at some point in their lives, and it may become worse while walking. A common condition that patients are affected by is known as plantar fasciitis. The pain from this ailment is often felt in the heel and arch area and comes from inflammation of the plantar fascia. The pain may be worse upon arising in the morning and may improve as the day progresses. There is another painful foot condition that is referred to as Morton’s neuroma and this affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes. It often happens as a result of wearing shoes that do not have enough room for the toes to move freely in and can compress the nerves. The pain may be diminished when custom-made orthotics are worn, and in severe cases, surgery may be recommended. An injury to the Achilles tendon may cause tendonitis to develop, which generally causes severe pain and discomfort. This can occur from increasing speed and distance too quickly while running, possibly causing the tendon to rupture. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is strongly advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can help you with effective treatment methods so you can resume painless everyday living.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Cory Brown, DPM from Cory Brown, DPM. 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 Lewiston, ID . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When an individual breaks their foot, there are two ways in which they can endure a fracture. First, one can suffer a direct injury from a high impact activity or from some kind of blunt force trauma (i.e. falls, collisions, etc.). Second, an individual can endure a stress fracture from repeated overuse in physical activities. Regardless of the cause of the broken foot, medical attention ought to be immediately sought out. Sometimes it may be difficult for an individual to recognize that their foot has been broken. However, if you notice foot pain after a fall or some kind of impact injury, it is recommended that you contact a podiatrist as soon as possible. Upon receiving medical attention, your doctor may take an X-ray of the foot, especially if there is tenderness in key areas or if the patient can not bear weight on the affected foot. To detect a stress fracture, a doctor may choose to perform an MRI, as this procedure helps identify bone edema, which develops before a stress fracture. Contact a podiatrist today if you believe you have broken your foot. 

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Cory Brown, DPM from Cory Brown, DPM. 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 Lewiston, ID . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.