The outer portion of the ankle is stabilized by a group of ligaments. When these ligaments are injured, and especially when they are injured repeatedly, the ankle can become unstable and cause chronic pain. In fact, nearly half of all patients who experience an ankle sprain report persistent pain and instability in the affected ankle. The symptoms of a chronic ankle sprain include swelling and bruising around the ankle, crackling noises from the ankle while walking, stiffness in the ankle joint, and pain around the bony bump on the outside of the ankle. If you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist, who can help you recover from your sprain and offer advice on how to prevent reinjury. 

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Imaze Marian Davis, DPM from Marian Davis, DPM, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Bumps on the bottom of the feet can cause pain or discomfort while walking. There are many potential causes for foot bumps. Calluses frequently form on the bottom of the feet due to uneven weight distribution, excess friction or injury, or bone misalignment. Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and plantar warts, can cause multiple bumps to appear on the sole of the foot. Nodular masses called plantar fibromas can form in the arch of the foot, as can fluid-filled sacs called cysts. Haglund’s deformity, which is a bump that forms on the back of the foot under the Achilles tendon, can cause pain and irritation from rubbing against your shoes. In rare cases, a lump on the bottom of the foot may be a type of soft tissue cancer called synovial sarcoma. If you have a bump on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Imaze Marian Davis, DPM from Marian Davis, DPM, PA. Our doctors 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 Miami, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a bony growth that forms on the base of the big toe joint. This growth can cause deformities in the structure of the foot, forming a bump on the side of the big toe and pushing the big toe out of alignment and towards the smaller toes. There are both surgical and nonsurgical methods for treating bunions. Bunion surgery is usually suggested in severe cases and can consist of removing damaged tissue or parts of the bone, realigning the bones, or permanently joining the bones to straighten the toe and remove the deformity. Nonsurgical or conservative treatment methods usually work well in milder cases and can help manage bunion symptoms and prevent the bunion from worsening. These include wearing roomy, comfortable shoes or orthotic inserts, applying ice to the bunion, and taking over-the-counter pain medications to reduce inflammation. If you have bunions and are wondering which treatments may work for you, please consult with a podiatrist. 

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Imaze Marian Davis, DPM of Marian Davis, DPM, PA. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

Have you noticed hard, coarse bumps of skin on your feet? If so, you may have foot warts. Plantar warts are tough lumps that may appear on the bottom of the foot. The lumps are usually circular and have tiny black dots in the middle. Plantar warts are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the skin. The HPV that causes plantar warts is a contagious virus that can be picked up through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or an infected person’s skin. While plantar warts may cause discomfort or pain while standing or walking, they usually do not cause any serious complications. Typical treatments for this condition includes applying topical medications or freezing the wart off. For more information about plantar warts, please consult with a podiatrist.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Imaze Marian Davis, DPM from Marian Davis, DPM, PA. 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 Miami, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.