July 2021

Did My Child Break Their Ankle?

Broken ankles in children usually involve an injury from a sporting activity, fall, or other sudden movement or force that breaks, or fractures, any of the bones in the ankle: the two tall bones in the leg (tibia and fibula) and the foot (talus). Sometimes, fractures involve the soft cartilage (growth plate) at the end of the tibia and fibula. A child with a broken ankle may feel pain or warmth in the ankle, or may have a hard time moving their ankle. In some cases, a visible deformity may be visible. A podiatrist can examine and perform testing to ascertain the location, severity, and pattern of the fracture to determine the best course of treatment to ensure correct healing.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Castillo of Bronx Foot Care. Our doctor 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 office located in Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about How to Care for Your Child's Feet

Why Live with Pain and Numbness in Your Feet?

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Rest and Stretching May Help Sever’s Disease

Children who enjoy participating in running and jumping activities may be more prone to developing a foot condition that is known as Sever’s disease. Young athletes can suffer from this painful foot condition that affects the heel. Sever's disease occurs as a result of an inflammation that affects the growth plate in the heel, and typically targets children between the ages of nine and twelve. Additionally, it may come from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, which can put stress on the heel. Children often limp when this condition is present, and physical activity may have to stop as the healing process occurs. There are specific stretches that can be performed which may help to diminish existing pain and discomfort, in addition to possibly accelerating healing. If you notice your child is limping due to heel pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat Sever's disease.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Dr. Castillo from Bronx Foot Care. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Sever's Disease

Reasons Why Patients May Have Foot Pain

People who enjoy running are often aware of the stress uneven surfaces, such as trails with dirt, rocks, and roots, may have on the feet. There are several types of foot injuries that can occur as a result of running on these types of surfaces. The pain and discomfort is often felt in the mid foot from Lisfranc foot injuries, which can happen while stepping into a hole, or from twisting the foot. A Jones fracture occurs when there is excess pressure put on the fifth metatarsal, and surgery may be required for permanent relief. Morton’s neuroma affects the nerves between the third and fourth toe, and it may help to wear custom made orthotics for pain relief. If you have foot pain of any type, please consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible to get your foot pain diagnosed and begin the right treatment for you. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Castillo from Bronx Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Read more about Foot Pain

How Footwear Can Lead to Blisters

People who are active may experience blisters on the feet. Foot blisters can be painful when they develop, and a common cause can be excess friction. This often comes from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or from increasing mileage and time spent running frequently. Patients have found that many types of blisters can be avoided when the right socks are worn. These can include wearing socks that are specifically designed to keep the seams away from the feet. Thick socks may contribute to developing blisters on the feet, and this can be a result of inadequate room for the feet to move freely in. Some people find it is beneficial to use a powder on their feet, and this can be helpful in keeping excess moisture away from the feet. If you have blisters on your feet, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help you to avoid developing blisters.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Castillo of Bronx Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

  • Bubble of skin filled with fluid
  • Redness
  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

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

Read more about Blisters

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