There are 26 bones that are located in each foot which represent the foundation of the body. The field of podiatry specializes in treating conditions of the feet and ankles, in addition to performing surgery that specific foot ailments may require. People who are interested in helping patients find solutions for their individual foot conditions may choose to become a podiatrist. There is mandatory schooling that must occur before DPM follows any name. This is the abbreviation for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and their education includes earning a bachelor’s degree, followed by completing several years of podiatric medicine. Two of these years are in a program focusing on podiatry, followed by two to four years in a residency program. There are various forms of podiatry, consisting of sports medicine, pediatrics, or diabetic foot care. It is suggested that a podiatrist be consulted if this is the branch of medicine that is being considered, so they can address any concerns there may be.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Centers of Charlotte County . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Swelling of the feet is undoubtedly pesky and can make the feet feel puffy, uncomfortable, and inflated. Your feet may swell up for different reasons. For example, foot swelling can be attributed to pregnancy, poor circulation, dietary choices, and many other reasons. If an individual notices that their feet are swollen, they might consider slightly elevating the feet. A person might lie down on their back and elevate their feet and lower legs to a height that is above their heart. This is sometimes particularly easy to perform with a hospital bed because it enables the foot of the bed to rise, which is conducive to elevating the feet. The point of elevating the feet is essential to facilitate blood circulation and encourage blood with fresh oxygen to travel to these elevated limbs. If you struggle with swelling of the feet, you may want to seek out the help of a podiatrist who can help you manage this condition. Schedule an appointment today.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Centers of Charlotte County . 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 offices located in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When an individual breaks their toe, the fracture might cause any number of different side effects in relation to the toe. For example, one important side effect of breaking your toe includes, in some cases, the possibility of nerve damage. There are several significant nerves in the toes. In fact, there is a nerve on each side of each toe. Not only does this mean that the toes can be particularly sensitive, it also means that a broken toe can cause nerve damage. It is important to note that if you develop sensations of numbness in the toe after a fracture occurs, then you should seek out medical attention immediately, as this is a sign of nerve damage. Those who suffer from diabetes are at an increased risk of experiencing some kind of nerve damage or abnormality. If you have recently endured a toe fracture and are concerned about the ramifications that it might have on the nerves in your feet, consult a podiatrist today.

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 Foot & Ankle Centers of Charlotte County . 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 our offices located in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Children’s foot problems often go undiagnosed because parents do not know what to pay attention to, or they believe their kids will outgrow the problems. Ankle and foot ailments can be common in children because they are so physically active, but it can be easy to overlook these things because kids are so resilient. Parents should watch for symptoms of common foot and ankle problems among children. These problems include ankles turning in more than usual, pain, the arch of the foot flattening, cramping, limping, or a change in the activity level of the child. Children who participate in sports are most apt to experience foot and ankle issues. If your child exhibits the symptoms described above, consult with a podiatrist so that the risk of problems turning into more serious or chronic conditions is mitigated. 

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Centers of Charlotte County . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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