August 2021

People who have endured a broken toe may understand how it can hinder accomplishing daily activities. It can happen as a result from dropping a heavy object on it, or by jamming it into a piece of furniture. The small bones that exist in toes can be more susceptible to becoming broken and this is especially true for the pinky toe. Common symptoms that many patients experience during a broken toe can consist of bruising, swelling, and it is often difficult to walk. After a proper diagnosis is performed, which generally involves having an X-ray taken, the proper healing methods can begin. If the fracture is mild, buddy taping may be an effective form of treatment. This is done by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it, which can be successful in providing the necessary support to improve the affected toes stability. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Don A. Shumway, DPM from Arizona. Our doctor 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 office located in Snowflake, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is one of seven tarsal bones in the foot. It is located on the outside of the foot, midway between the heel and the pinky toe. Cuboid syndrome occurs when this bone becomes dislocated from overuse or from an injury such as a sprained ankle. It may also be caused by foot conditions such as pronated feet. Cuboid syndrome often affects dancers, athletes, and runners. Pain can be felt in various parts of the foot—often in the middle of the foot or at the base of the two smaller toes, or elsewhere in the foot or ankle. Other symptoms may include difficulty walking, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the ankle and foot. Because it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the pain is emanating from, it is important to have your foot examined and properly diagnosed by a podiatrist if you are experiencing any of the symptoms in order to recieve proper treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Don A. Shumway, DPM from Arizona. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Within the ankle lies a narrow structure composed of bone and tissue— known as the tarsal tunnel. Running through this tunnel are blood vessels, tendons, and the tibial nerve—which can become compressed in this narrow anatomical space due to a lesion, mass, or other contributing factors that increases pressure within the tunnel. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy which can cause symptoms that may include tingling, burning, numbness, or a shooting and radiating pain in the ankle or along the tibial nerve. People with flat feet are said to be more prone to developing tarsal tunnel syndrome as the tibial nerve can become stretched due to fallen arches. Patients who believe that they have Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome should consult with a podiatrist. There are a variety of treatments and therapies a podiatrist has at their disposal to help relieve pain and decompress the affected nerve.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Don A. Shumway, DPM of Arizona. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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

Podiatrists are physicians that specialize in the foot and ankle. Podiatrists contain the DPM suffix after their name which means they achieved a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine in medical school. They typically continue their post graduate training with a residency in a clinic or hospital. After passing certain exams, a podiatrist can become board certified by The American Board of Podiatric Medicine. While they treat general foot conditions such as ingrown toenails, heel pain, corns, calluses,  bunions, fungal nail infections and more, some podiatrists also specialize in areas such as wound care, diabetes, sports medicine, arthritis, neuromas, gait analysis and correction, custom orthotics, and bunion removal. Certain podiatrists will even specialize in podiatric surgery and, after passing additional exams, may become certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. If you experience any swelling, severe pain, numbness or tingling, or have an open sore on your feet, it is suggested that you call a podiatrist to seek proper treatment.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Don A. Shumway, DPM from Arizona. Our doctor 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 office located in Snowflake, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.