Items filtered by date: November 2018

If you have incurred an injury to your toe or have dropped a heavy object on it, you may have a broken toe. Common symptoms that typically accompany this condition may include pain and discomfort, swelling, redness, or tenderness. Walking may prove to be a difficult task to accomplish, and the toe may often appear bruised. For severely broken toes, the affected bone may protrude from the skin, or the toe may appear to be at an unnatural angle. Once a proper diagnosis is performed, which is often accomplished by having an X-ray taken, proper treatment techniques can begin. These may include elevating the foot, which may reduce any pain or swelling, taping the affected toe to the toe next to it for support, or wearing appropriate footwear that that can accommodate the broken toe. If you feel you have broken your toe, it’s suggested to speak with a podiatrist as quickly as possible.

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 Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor 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 offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Research has shown that people who are sixty five or older may have an increased risk in falling. As a result, many people have incurred serious injuries. There have been recent studies which cite that when patients partake in a regular exercise program, the chances of falling may decrease. Specific exercises may be introduced to include resistance and strength training, which may increase overall body strength, yoga, which may aid in improving flexibility, and tai chi, which may help to maintain proper balance. Additionally, there have been studies performed that include taking vitamin D supplements for the prevention of falling. However, after much consideration, it has been found that taking this particular supplement has little or no correlation with reducing the risk of falling unless there are medical conditions involved that may include osteoporosis or a vitamin D deficiency.

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. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor 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 offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Research has shown that wearing shoes that fit properly may aid in preventing uncomfortable foot conditions from developing. Ingrown toenails may occur if the shoes that are worn fit too tightly, possibly causing the toenails to grow into the skin. It’s important to have your feet measured before purchasing shoes, and it may be beneficial to do this at the end of the day when the feet are typically at their largest. The shoe may feel comfortable when the ball of the foot fits properly in the widest portion of the shoe and there is adequate room for the longest toe to move about in. Many people make the mistake of expecting the shoes to stretch and become broken in as they are worn, and this may produce foot conditions such as corns or blisters. Please consult with a podiatrist for additional information about what to look for when buying shoes.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

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

For people who love the sport of running and jogging, it’s beneficial to learn what can be implemented to prevent running injuries. Research has shown the importance of having a physical examination prior to pursuing any running activities. There may be certain medical conditions present that may hinder the enjoyment of this activity, and proper warm-ups should be performed. Additionally, when the correct shoes are worn that fits your foot structure, running and jogging can be enjoyed more thoroughly. Many people find it favorable to identify why they want to run, and this may aid in finding it easier to set a running goal. When proper stretches are performed before and after running, the chances of an injury occurring may be diminished. If you would like to pursue the sport of running, it’s suggested to speak with a podiatrist to learn about correct stretching techniques for the feet.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin of Florida. Our doctor 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 offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.