August 2018

Many bones are located in the foot and they all work together to provide optimum balance necessary to effectively walk and run. If something heavy should fall on your toe or if you fall down, you may experience pain and discomfort due to a broken toe. You may notice the obvious symptoms, which may include bruising and swelling, or continued pain and throbbing. Research has shown the importance of having a proper diagnosis performed, which most likely will include having an X-ray taken. If a broken toe is confirmed, treatment should commence as quickly as possible. This may include taping the toe to the toe next to it, resetting the bone for more severe fractures, or undergoing surgery. Please consult with a podiatrist for advice on how to treat a broken toe.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cracked heels can be painful for your feet, and anyone of any age can develop them. This condition may even be made worse by underlying problems, such as diabetes or thyroid disease. A dry climate, a poor diet, or a poor choice of footwear can lead to the development of cracked feet. However, before seeking professional treatment, you may be able to find relief through home remedies and over-the-counter moisturizers. If these do not work for you, you may find it helpful to speak with your podiatrist regarding ways to treat your cracked heels.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Chambersburg, and Mcconnellsburg, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have gout, it is more than likely that your diet contains more purine than what is necessary. If you fail to take action against the amount of purine in your body, your kidney function will become disrupted. Purine is a substance that, when broken down, creates uric acid, which is filtered by the kidneys. A balanced amount of uric acid will help regulate blood throughout the body by promoting healthy blood vessel linings. When there is an excessive amount of uric acid in the bloodstream, urate crystals gather in the joints, which creates a condition called gout. If you are looking to avoid developing gout, you should avoid foods that are high in purines such as animal organs, sardines, alcohol, and yeast. Foods that contain a moderate amount of purine are oatmeal, bacon, oyster, spinach, sausage, and shrimp. Foods that are low in purine are rice, pasta, tofu, peanut butter, low-fat dairy products, and green olives. Research has shown that there is an inverse relationship with uric acid levels and the amount of low-fat dairy products consumed. It is important that you carefully plan your diet if you are aiming to prevent the development of gout.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Many women enjoy being pregnant, but will often complain about their feet becoming swollen as the pregnancy progresses. It’s a common condition that often develops as a result of excess fluid the body produces in addition to pressure exerted from the growing baby. Most of the swelling will dissipate after the baby is born, but until then, there are specific ways to find moderate relief. Research has shown the importance of lying on your left side while sleeping, in addition to consuming plenty of water and exercising regularly. The majority of pregnant women may find that elevating their feet as often as possible and not standing for extended periods of time may help to reduce a portion of the swelling. If you are pregnant and are experiencing severely swollen feet, please consult with a podiatrist for additional information on how to properly care for your feet.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Dr. Steven Schwartz from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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