Your Foot & Ankle Learning Center

Stop blaming yourself for wearing those high heeled shoes or ill-fitting shoes when you were young. The cause of bunions has more to do with the foot structure you inherited and less to do with the type of shoes you…

The best success for treating nail fungus is when treatment is started early on in the infectious process. Most women polish their toenails all summer long (and possibly all year long) and never look closely at their nails when the…

Heel pain can be devastating, causing one to limp and avoid walking and exercise. It is so common that I see 3-4 people a day with trouble walking due to heel pain. Most people complain of pain that is worse…

Ankle pain that continues weeks after a sprain may indicate incomplete ligament healing, chronic instability, cartilage damage, tendon injuries, scar tissue, or a missed fracture. If pain, swelling, or weakness persists beyond six to eight weeks, a specialist evaluation can help identify the cause and guide proper treatment and recovery.

An Achilles tendon tear often causes a sudden pop, sharp pain above the heel, swelling, and difficulty pushing off or standing on your toes. Some people can still walk despite a tear, making the injury easy to overlook. Early diagnosis and proper treatment help prevent further damage, lasting weakness, and mobility problems.

Early signs of foot arthritis include morning stiffness, aching that worsens with activity, joint swelling, tenderness, and occasional warmth or redness. Symptoms often come and go, making them easy to overlook. Early diagnosis and treatment with supportive footwear, orthotics, and activity changes can help reduce pain and protect joints.

Bunions often worsen because once the big toe joint shifts, muscles and tendons pull it further out of alignment. Narrow shoes, flat feet, tight calves, extra weight, prolonged standing, and aging can speed progression. Supportive footwear, arch support, and stretching may help slow changes and reduce pain.

Most children with flat feet need no treatment, but certain signs deserve attention. Foot or leg pain, tiring quickly, difficulty keeping up with activities, stiffness, one foot looking different, or an arch that stays flat on tiptoes may signal a problem. A specialist can determine whether treatment is needed or the feet simply need time to develop.

A hairline ankle fracture can feel like a mild sprain, but key signs include pinpoint pain directly over the bone, gradual swelling, and pain that worsens when standing or walking. Unlike a sprain, the discomfort may linger or worsen after several days. Early diagnosis helps prevent the small crack from becoming a more serious break.