Items filtered by date: February 2025

While plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, Baxter’s nerve entrapment accounts for about 20% of cases. This condition occurs when the inferior calcaneal nerve, or Baxter’s nerve, becomes compressed, often due to foot structure abnormalities, repetitive stress, or scar tissue. The Baxter’s nerve runs along the inner side of the heel, branching off the lateral plantar nerve and passing between the abductor hallucis muscle and the heel bone. The pain mimics plantar fasciitis but involves nerve-related pain rather than ligament inflammation. Symptoms include burning, tingling, or sharp pain along the inner heel, often worsening with prolonged standing. Unlike plantar fasciitis, pain may persist at rest or worsen throughout the day. Diagnosis involves clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, and imaging to rule out other conditions. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper evaluation and treatment, which might include custom orthotics, targeted exercises anti-inflammatory medications, or possibly corticosteroid injections to relieve pressure.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS of Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Foot and ankle swelling can occur for various reasons, often related to lifestyle, health conditions, or prolonged periods of immobility. One common cause is being overweight, as excess body weight places additional pressure on the feet and ankles, leading to fluid retention and swelling. Age is another factor, as older individuals may experience reduced circulation, which can contribute to swelling in the lower extremities. Leg infections can also cause swelling, as the body’s immune response leads to inflammation in the affected areas. Prolonged periods of immobility, such as on long airplane flights, can reduce circulation and lead to fluid buildup in the feet and ankles. A sedentary lifestyle, in which an individual remains seated or inactive for long stretches, can further cause swelling by preventing proper blood flow. If you have swollen feet or ankles, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS of Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Excess weight can significantly affect the feet, toes, and ankles, as they bear the body’s weight during standing, walking, and other activities. Increased pressure on the feet can lead to pain, particularly in the heels and forefoot, as well as deformities like hammer toes, claw toes, and bunions. These issues may arise because excess weight can alter how weight is distributed across the foot, leading to strain on the arches and possibly resulting in flat feet. Over time, extra weight can also affect mobility and balance, making everyday tasks more challenging. Research suggests that the likelihood of experiencing foot pain increases with higher body mass index, or BMI. A podiatrist can perform a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose weight-related foot issues and offer treatment options to reduce pain, enhance mobility, and prevent further complications. If you have foot problems that may be related to your weight, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS from Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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

Foot pain affects many people due to the intricate structure of the foot and the stress it endures during daily activities. Bunions, caused by bone misalignment, can lead to discomfort and changes in foot shape. Deformities like claw toes and hammertoes, often linked to tight shoes or imbalanced muscles, can result in painful corns or calluses. Arthritis in the toes and ankles may cause stiffness and reduced mobility, with age and weight being contributing factors. Fractures from injuries, such as falls or missteps, and sprains from ligament damage can also be significant sources of pain. Conditions like athlete's foot, fungal infections, and nerve issues such as peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling or burning sensations are other potential concerns. A podiatrist can evaluate any of these conditions and offer treatment ranging from orthotics for support to surgery, in more severe cases. If you have foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS from Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. 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 Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.