Items filtered by date: May 2025

Symptoms of foot pain may include burning, numbness, swelling, or sharp pain in the toes, heel, or arch. These issues may stem from nerve compression, inflammation, poor circulation, or joint damage. Swollen ankles may follow injuries or may be linked to underlying conditions that restrict fluid movement. Tingling or numbness might point to nerve damage caused by repetitive pressure or complications from medical conditions. Stiffness or intense pain in the morning may suggest inflammation of tissue or tendon problems. Runners or people who stand for long periods may experience increased pain from stress on the bones and soft tissue of the feet. Redness, itching, or rashes may indicate infections or allergic responses. Hard or soft lumps may form on different parts of the foot, often due to cysts or joint deformities. A podiatrist can evaluate these foot pain symptoms, perform diagnostic tests, and recommend medical treatment or surgery, if needed. If you are experiencing foot pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

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.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin instead of over it, most often affecting the big toe. This can cause pain, swelling, and redness surrounding the toenail, and may lead to infection, if not treated. Common causes of ingrown toenails include trimming the nails too short or rounding their edges, wearing shoes that put pressure on the toes, and injuring the toe. Some people are more prone to ingrown toenails due to the natural shape of their nails, or repeated stress from activities like running or kicking. Risk factors also include poor circulation, especially in people with diabetes, which can make healing more difficult and increase the risk of infection. When pain, swelling, or drainage occur, a podiatrist may recommend lifting the nail, removing part of the nail, or treating an infection. If you have a painful or infected ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.

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 office located in Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toe problems and deformities, such as bunions, tailor's bunions, hammertoes, claw toes, and hallux rigidus, can cause painful symptoms and make walking difficult. These toe-related issues often result from structural problems in the foot combined with pressure from tight footwear or injuries. A bunion causes a large bump at the base of the big toe, while a tailor’s bunion affects the outside of the foot near the little toe. Hammertoes and claw toes involve abnormal bending at the toe joints, creating stiff and painful deformities. Hallux rigidus leads to stiffness and swelling in the big toe joint, often due to wear and tear or injury. In the early stages, a podiatrist may recommend treatments such as orthotics, footwear changes, splinting, or medication to reduce pressure and discomfort. However, as these conditions progress and joints become rigid, surgery may be necessary to realign the bones or repair the affected joints. If you have painful toe problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. 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.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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.

A broken pinky toe can cause significant discomfort despite the small size of the bone. Symptoms include immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or putting weight on the foot. In some cases, the pinky toe may appear crooked or out of alignment, and touching or moving the toe can increase the pain. Causes of a broken pinky toe typically involve direct trauma, such as stubbing the toe against a hard object, dropping something heavy on the foot, or twisting the foot awkwardly during a fall or misstep. Stress fractures from repetitive impact activities can also affect the pinky toe. If you believe you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can  accurately diagnose this condition and offer appropriate treatment.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Robert Hutchison, DPM, FACFAS from Lower Keys Foot & Ankle Surgery. Our doctor 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 Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.