Big toe joint pain can be caused by various conditions, like arthritis, bunions, gout, sesamoiditis, or turf toe. These conditions can lead to stiffness, swelling, and a grinding sensation. Even though the toe joints are small, they support a significant amount of body weight and play a crucial role in foot function. The most common form of arthritis affecting the big toe is osteoarthritis, which results from tissue erosion between bones and joints. It makes it difficult to straighten the toe and causes pain while standing or walking. Bone spurs can also develop on the top of the big toe, leading to pain, particularly when wearing shoes. Bunions, characterized by a large bump on the joint of the big toe, are deformities that cause the toe to shift towards the smaller toes. They can be caused by things such as genetics, tight shoes, or rheumatoid arthritis. Finding comfortable shoes becomes challenging, and wearing them can be painful. Bunions result in redness, irritation, and swelling on the side of the big toe. Gout, another type of arthritis, occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood, forming crystals that deposit into a joint, often affecting the big toe joint. Uric acid is a waste product that accumulates when purines, found in certain foods like red meat, seafood, and alcohol, are broken down. Failure to eliminate uric acid through the kidneys can lead to gout, causing intense pain, swelling, redness, and heat in the joint. Since big toe pain can have various causes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an examination, a diagnosis, and the appropriate treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky 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 Louisville, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Distance runners often experience problems with their toenails, and the three main types are thick nails, bruised nails, and toenail loss. While in many cases the appearance of thick toenails can indicate a fungal infection, in runners they can also be a result of pressure from their shoes and socks, or wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. A toenail that looks blue or black is likely to be caused by a bruise underneath it. The change in color is caused by blood forming under the nail, often from direct trauma to the toe. In some cases, the blood will need to be drained in a medical procedure conducted by a podiatrist. Many runners are surprised when one of their toenails falls off. In most cases, a new nail will form. To avoid losing a toenail, experts recommend being sure that your running shoes fit well, keeping toenails properly trimmed, and making sure your shoes are completely dry before a run. If you notice a bruise, a thick nail, or a loose toenail, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist sooner rather than later, before the matter worsens and prohibits you from running. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Research has shown that approximately 25 percent of Americans who are 65 years or older fall every year. Physical harm may happen as a result of falling, and the feet are often affected.  A broken foot or toe are common injuries after a fall has occurred, which can limit the ability to complete daily activities. People who fall and are fortunate enough to not become hurt may develop a fear of falling. This can lead to becoming inactive and sedentary, which may be a gateway into other physical conditions. There are simple methods that can be implemented that can effectively prevent falling. These can include having routine physical and eye examinations that help update existing medications and eyeglasses. Additionally, it is beneficial to install grab bars in the toilet and shower area and to improve lighting in the household. If you require more knowledge about fall prevention strategies, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with useful tips on foot protection.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Steven Shlonsky from Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Because ankle injuries are commonly caused by sprained ligaments, it is a good idea to know what to do when a sprain occurs. The importance of full recovery from an ankle sprain cannot be emphasized enough. Experts suggest a number of actions that can help to restore ankle strength and stability. Rest the injured ankle, keep it elevated at a 45-degree angle as much as possible, and stay off it until it heals. Wrap the ankle to keep it stabilized and to prevent swelling, but avoid making it so tight that it cuts off blood flow to the feet. After the ankle heals, performing a few simple exercises can help strengthen the injured ligament. Pointing and flexing your toes about five to 10 times is one such exercise, and another is performing heel raises. This should be done while holding onto a chair for balance. A third is slowly going up and down stairs, which has the added benefit of burning calories and strengthening the thigh muscles. Before starting any type of ankle exercise after being injured, it is suggested that you check in with a podiatrist for an evaluation and further guidance.  

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky from Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky 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 Louisville, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.