Items filtered by date: September 2023

Bunions, those bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, are a common foot ailment that can cause pain and discomfort. While many people associate bunions with wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, the causes are often more complex than simply blaming your footwear choices. One of the primary contributors to bunions is genetics. If bunions run in your family, you may be genetically predisposed to developing them. In such cases, the way your foot bones are structured can make you more susceptible. Another significant factor is having improper foot biomechanics. If your feet roll inward excessively when you walk, termed overpronation, or if you have a flat foot arch, the increased stress on the joint at the base of the big toe can lead to bunion formation over time. While wearing tight shoes with a narrow toe box can exacerbate the problem, they generally are not the sole cause of bunions. If you have developed a bunion, it is strongly suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can determine the cause and guide you toward the treatment method that is best for you. 

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Total Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in San Antonio, Uvalde, and Jourdanton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Children's feet are essential for their overall health and development. However, various foot problems can affect children as they grow. Flat feet, or pes planus, is a common condition where the arches on the inside of the feet do not develop fully, making the entire sole touch the ground. While this is normal in infants, it should resolve as they age. Ingrown toenails can cause pain, redness, and swelling, often the result of improper nail trimming or tight shoes. Proper nail care and footwear are key to preventing this issue. Sever's disease, medically termed calcaneal apophysitis, is common in active children between the ages of 8 and 14. It affects the growth plate in the heel and causes heel pain, especially during physical activities. Deformities, such as clubfoot, curly toes or overlapping toes, can be present from birth or develop later. Early intervention can help correct these deformities. Parents may wish to regularly inspect their children's feet and seek the help of a podiatrist for any of these common foot problems. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Total Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in San Antonio, Uvalde, and Jourdanton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails are painful foot problems, and can disrupt your daily life, leading to discomfort. Understanding the causes behind them is crucial for prevention and effective management. A common culprit is improper toenail trimming. Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage them to grow into the skin. Tight-fitting shoes or socks can also compress the toenails, increasing the likelihood of inward growth. Trauma, such as stubbing your toe, also can distort the nail's growth pattern. Additionally, inherited factors and genetics can predispose some individuals to ingrown toenails. Infections and fungal conditions can further exacerbate the problem. It is essential to maintain proper nail care, wear well-fitting footwear, and address any foot issues promptly to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails and enjoy pain-free feet. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can provide you with relief and treatment options.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Total Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in San Antonio, Uvalde, and Jourdanton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Fungal nails, also known as onychomycosis, result from a fungal infection. This condition often leads to nail thickening and discoloration, along with the buildup of dead skin beneath the nail plate. Sometimes, the nail's shape can also change. Among fungal infections affecting the body, nail infections are particularly challenging to prevent and treat. Onychomycosis arises due to an overgrowth of fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments, such as locker rooms, public showers, and swimming pool areas. Typically, fungal growth begins at the nail's end and gradually spreads beneath it. Occasionally, chalky white patches may form on the nail's surface. As the infection progresses, yellowish or brownish discoloration becomes evident. The fungus can also cause damage to the nail's base, resulting in a thickening and altered shape. Treatment for fungal nail infections involves conservative, laser, and surgical approaches. Conservative treatment consists of using a topical medication applied like nail polish. Reinfection is a risk, and antifungal spray can be used inside shoes to treat any residual infection. Laser treatment for fungal nails is non-invasive. Surgical intervention is considered only if other treatments are not effective. If you have a fungal nail infection, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to have your nails assessed and treatment administered that is right for you.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Total Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in San Antonio, Uvalde, and Jourdanton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.