April 2022

It can be easy to notice a plantar wart, which is a small, hardened area on the bottom of the foot. They may have tiny black dots in the center and grow into the foot as a result of the pressure that is exerted by standing and walking. The medical term for this ailment is verruca plantaris, and it is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is considered to be contagious, and enters the body through small cracks in the skin of the feet. Research has shown there are two types of plantar warts. A single plantar wart is classified as a solitary plantar wart, though smaller warts may form from it. Mosaic plantar warts are found in clusters and may require more extensive treatment methods. Patients who have compromised immune systems may be susceptible to developing these types of warts, in addition to children and older people. Prevention techniques can include wearing appropriate footwear while in public shower rooms, locker rooms, or swimming pools. If you think you have plantar warts, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with correct treatment options. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center . Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

The symptoms between a sprained and broken toe can be similar. They generally include immediate bruising or swelling, as well as difficulty when walking. An X-ray is typically taken which can confirm a broken toe. In many instances, a broken toe can look dislocated, and the pain is often felt at the exact location it was fractured. Many patients have broken their toes if a heavy object should fall on one or more of them, or if a toe injury has occurred. For mild breaks, buddy taping is often effective. This is done by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it. This can be successful in providing the necessary stability as the healing process takes place. If you have symptoms of a broken toe, please consult with a podiatrist who can provide the correct treatment for you.

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 Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center . 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 our office located in Thousand Oaks, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Excess pressure that is exerted on a bone in the foot can lead to a stress fracture. It can develop from practicing high-impact exercise, increasing speed and training too fast, or possible from poor nutrition. This type of injury develops slowly, and symptoms are often ignored. It can become difficult to complete daily activities, and it helps to temporarily stop the activity that caused the injury. After a proper diagnosis is made, which generally occurs when an X-ray is taken, treatment can begin. A walking boot or a cast may be helpful in stabilizing the foot as the healing process takes place. The average time for a stress fracture to heal is four to six weeks, and then a gradual return to the chosen activity is often advised. If you have a stress fracture, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can help you with the correct treatment plan.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center . 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 our office located in Thousand Oaks, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When the bone fractures on the outer edge of the foot, this is known as a Jones fracture. It can be referred to as a 5th metatarsal fracture, and is considered to be a common type of break. It generally happens as a result of tripping on an uneven sidewalk, or twisting the ankle while participating in sporting activities. It causes severe pain and discomfort, and the majority of people who endure this type of fracture cannot walk on the affected foot. After a proper diagnosis is performed, which typically consists of having an X-ray taken, the correct treatment can begin. Many people wear casts or boots for several weeks as the healing process takes place. This enables the patient to walk, while keeping the foot stable. If you have fallen, and think you may have broken your foot, please consult  with a podiatrist as quickly as possible for correct treatment options.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center . Our doctors 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 Thousand Oaks, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.