A broken toe can result from stubbing the foot, dropping a heavy object on it, or taking a forceful step during sports. A big-toe fracture can be especially serious. The big toe helps the body balance and push forward while walking. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising. The toe may also look crooked or feel too tender to touch. Some fractures extend into a joint or cause bone pieces to move out of position. A cut near the injury can signal an open fracture. This means the broken bone is exposed through a wound. Examination is important because a sprain, bone bruise, and fracture can cause similar symptoms.

A podiatrist can assess the injured toe. X-rays can confirm a fracture and show its location, pattern, and severity. Other imaging tests can provide more detail when nearby tissue damage is suspected. Treatment depends on which toe is broken and whether the bone remains aligned. A podiatrist can reposition a displaced bone so it heals correctly. This foot doctor can also protect the toe with taping, a splint, or a stiff-soled medical shoe. These measures limit painful movement and reduce pressure on the injured toe. Follow-up X-rays can track healing before the patient returns to demanding activities. Many broken toes heal within several weeks, although recovery varies with the injury.

Severe fractures sometimes need surgery. This can be necessary when a break enters a joint, bone pieces are widely separated, or the toe remains unstable. Pins, screws, or plates can hold the bone in place while it heals. Early treatment can lower the risk of lasting stiffness, deformity, and pain. Urgent evaluation is important when the toe looks misshapen, the skin is broken, or numbness develops. People with diabetes or poor circulation should seek immediate care because healing problems can be more serious. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment. 

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 one of our podiatrists from Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors 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 office located in Plymouth, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot stretches can help runners prepare their feet and ankles for activity. They may improve flexibility, mobility, and awareness when performed regularly. Options include toe stretches, ankle mobility exercises, and toe scrunches. These movements can be useful before or after running, depending on comfort and training needs. They may help reduce stiffness and support efficient movement, but they cannot prevent every running injury.

A toe stretch gently lengthens the tissues around the toes. Sit and use your hand to move the toes backward until you feel a mild stretch. Hold briefly without forcing the movement. This exercise may improve toe flexibility and help runners maintain comfortable foot motion. An ankle mobility exercise can involve slowly moving the ankle through controlled circles. Move in both directions with careful control while keeping the lower leg relaxed. This can support ankle mobility and reduce stiffness.

Toe scrunches strengthen the small muscles that help support the foot. Sit with your foot flat and use your toes to gently gather a towel toward you. Relax and repeat several times. This exercise may improve foot strength and control, which can help runners manage impact. Risk factors for running injuries include sudden mileage increases, and training on challenging surfaces. Poor flexibility or limited ankle mobility may also affect movement.

A podiatrist can evaluate your feet and ankles when pain, swelling, or injuries develop. The examination may include checking strength, flexibility, and tender areas. Imaging tests may be recommended when a stress fracture or other injury is suspected. Treatment also can include activity changes, wearing supportive footwear, or custom orthotics. Stretching should never cause sharp pain. If you have developed foot and ankle injuries from running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions, which may include additional foot and ankle stretches. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries? 
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Swollen feet can develop after a long day of standing or walking, but swelling that persists may need medical attention. The buildup of fluid in body tissues is called edema. Gravity can pull blood toward the lower legs, allowing fluid to enter the feet and ankles. Pregnancy and medicines can also cause swelling. In other cases, swollen feet can point to an injury, infection, or problem with blood flow. Heart, kidney, and liver conditions can also affect how the body handles fluid. Identifying the cause is important because treatment depends on the cause of the swelling.

The location and timing of swelling can offer clues. Swelling after an injury can occur with a sprain, fracture, or tendon problem. Redness, warmth, and tenderness can signal an infection. Sudden swelling in one leg can be linked to a blood clot in a deep vein and requires prompt medical attention. Seek emergency care when swelling occurs with chest pain, trouble breathing, or faintness. Severe swelling in pregnancy also needs prompt evaluation. Other warning signs include skin discoloration, an open wound, or an indentation that remains after pressing the area. Swelling that lasts several days or keeps returning should not be ignored.

A podiatrist can examine the feet to learn whether the problem begins in bones, joints, or soft tissues. The evaluation includes questions about when swelling started and whether one or both feet are affected. The podiatrist can check the skin, circulation, and affected areas. Treatment is based on the cause and can include protecting an injury, managing an infection, or reducing pressure on a painful area. Orthotics or wearing properly-fitted shoes can improve support when foot structure contributes to discomfort. If you have discomfort from swollen feet or ankles, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to identify the cause and get effective relief.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors 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 contact our office located in Plymouth, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that causes one of the smaller toes to bend downward at the middle joint instead of lying flat. The condition usually affects the second toe, although it can involve other toes. At first, the toe may still move freely. As the condition progresses, the joint can become stiff and more difficult to straighten. People with hammertoe frequently notice pain, swelling, and irritation where the bent toe rubs against shoes. Corns and calluses can also develop because of repeated pressure. A podiatrist carefully examines the affected toe, evaluates its flexibility, and determines whether nearby joints are also involved. X-rays help reveal changes in bone alignment and assist with planning the most appropriate treatment.

Several factors can contribute to hammertoe. Muscle imbalance is one of the most common causes. This happens when the muscles and tendons that control the toe no longer work together properly, causing the toe to remain in a bent position. Arthritis, foot injuries, and inherited foot structure can also increase the risk of developing hammertoe. Wearing shoes that do not fit properly can place added pressure on the toes and make the deformity worse. As the condition advances, walking can become uncomfortable because the bent toe no longer rests naturally against the ground. A podiatrist evaluates the severity of the deformity and checks for joint stiffness, pain, and changes in foot function.

Treatment depends on how flexible the toe remains and how much the deformity affects daily activities. A podiatrist develops a treatment plan that improves comfort, restores function, and helps prevent further changes in toe alignment. Care includes custom orthotics, protective padding, and careful monitoring of the affected joints. Custom orthotics are specially made shoe inserts that improve foot support and reduce pressure on the toes. When the toe becomes rigid or the deformity is severe, surgery can straighten the toe and improve its position. If you have symptoms of hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effecitve relief, treatment and management tips. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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