May 2020

If your toe bone has broken into one or more pieces, you have experienced a broken toe. A broken toe can often be mistaken for a toe sprain, however during this type of injury, you may actually hear the bone break. If left untreated, a broken toe can alter your walking or running, and leave you in a great deal of pain. Common symptoms that often accompany a broken toe may include throbbing pain, swelling, bruising or discoloration of the surrounding skin, dislocation of the toe, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected toe. Stubbing the toe, or having an object dropped on it, are the most common causes of a broken toe. To treat a broken toe, a podiatrist may recommend a splint to help support the toe, or surgery for more severe cases. In order to distinguish a toe break from a sprain, it’s suggested you consult with a podiatrist for professional care and a proper diagnosis.

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 Grobowski Foot & Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

As many people know, there can be many transitions going into a new job.  However, people who go from sitting to standing all day may have to make key adjustments. The first step in caring for your feet is making sure to wear the proper footwear. Shoes should fit your feet well, have cushioning, and mold to your feet. While it may be hard depending on the type of job, it is important to find a balance between sitting and standing, and breaks may be needed when a balance is not possible.  However, if pain persists, it is important to consult with a podiatrist.  By consulting with a podiatrist early on in the process, further and more severe injuries can be prevented.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Obesity affects a large percentage of people worldwide. The additional weight the feet endure can lead to the development of painful foot conditions. Heel pain is a common ailment, and it can be indicative of specific foot complications. These can include plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or different types of arthritis. Many people who are overweight are faced with the dilemma of lacking the desire to exercise. Performing frequent stretches and exercises is beneficial to losing weight, despite that it may be difficult to accomplish. If you have gained weight and have frequent heel pain, it is recommended that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly diagnose you and help to manage your weight.

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 one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The foot is made up of 26 bones. When tiny cracks form in the bones, a stress fracture develops, which is typically brought upon by repetitive force or overuse. Some common causes for this condition include walking or running on uneven surfaces, sudden movements that place the feet in unnatural positions, and repeatedly jumping up or down. With that being said, it’s very common for athletes to develop stress fracture, as they often participate in activities that involve the movements listed above. Systemic conditions such as osteoporosis, may also affect the likelihood of developing a stress fracture as this condition may weaken the bones. For more information on how  to treat this condition, it’s suggested that you seek the professional advice of a podiatrist.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.