April 2023

There are different types of shoes that are worn for various occupations. It is important to understand the workplace environment, and this may be helpful in choosing what type of shoes to purchase. Many accidents that happen while working can be caused by wearing inappropriate footwear at work. This may come at the cost of losing work and money, in addition to suffering from foot injuries. The dangers of the workplace can include heavy objects that fall, hazardous liquids, or slippery surfaces. Shoes that have slip-resistant soles may help to prevent unnecessary falls, and wearing shoes that have toe guards can be beneficial in protecting the top of the feet from trauma. There are professions that require employees to work outside in cold environments, and wearing insulated boots may help the feet to feel more comfortable. If you would like additional information about what type of shoes to wear for your job, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Stephen Petrofsky from Florida. Our doctor 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 our office located in Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When a child breaks a bone in their toe, it is called a toe fracture. Such a fracture will often result in pain, redness, swelling, and bruising. It might be difficult to bend their toe or put weight on it. If a bone is protruding from the toe or bent at an abnormal angle, immediate medical care should be sought. An X-ray or MRI may be needed to properly diagnose a toe fracture and differentiate it from a possible sprain. If your child has sustained a toe fracture, the buddy taping method or splint may be used to support the toe in its correct position during healing. Buddy taping means taping the broken toe to the toe next to it. A walking boot, hard-soled shoe, or other supportive devices may also help your child move while their toe is undergoing healing. If you think your child may have a broken toe, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist to have it examined, have necessary tests taken, and obtain treatment.

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. Stephen Petrofsky 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 office located in Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Research has indicated there may not be an exact cause for the foot condition that is known as plantar fibromatosis. Despite this potential conclusion, there may be existing conditions which significantly contribute to developing plantar fibromatosis. The plantar fascia is found on the sole of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. An injury may cause this band of tissue to become inflamed, and small nodules may form on the plantar fascia. These are considered to be benign, but may be painful while walking or standing. Additionally, genetic factors may lead to having this condition, in addition to taking specific types of medications and supplements. Patients who have a liver disorder or diabetes may be prone to developing a plantar fibroma, possibly from the medicine that is used to treat these conditions. If you have heel or arch pain, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can accurately tell you if you have plantar fibromatosis, and offer you correct treatment options.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Stephen Petrofsky of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Port Charlotte, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails are a particular kind of foot condition that occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin directly next to it. When this happens, a range of things may occur. For example, certain severe cases of ingrown toenails may become infected. As a result, a patient may demonstrate several different symptoms associated with infected ingrown toenails. Namely, a patient may experience additional swelling in the affected area as well as increased pain. An infected ingrown toenail may also produce discharge or warm sensations. A change in color is also common for an infected ingrown toenail. Specifically, redness or dark discoloration may ensue. If you are someone that has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help to relieve your condition.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Stephen Petrofsky of Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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