Turf toe, also known as a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint sprain, is an injury common in sports like football, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dancing, and wrestling. When the big toe is bent too far back during activity, the ligaments or joint capsule underneath the toe can overstretch or tear. MTP joint sprains are classified into three groups based on their severity. A Grade 1 sprain is mild and characterized by localized pain and minimal swelling. A Grade 2 sprain is characterized by moderate pain, swelling, and bruising of the big toe. A Grade 3 sprain is severe and involves intense pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the big toe. If you have turf toe, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Michael F. Esber, DPM of Arizona Foot Health Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:
Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Sun City West, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
A rash on the feet can be indicative of a variety of medical conditions. One of the most common reasons for a foot rash is a fungal infection called athlete’s foot. The rash characteristic of athlete’s foot is usually scaly, flakey, itchy, and red, and it may also sting or burn. Irritant contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction that can affect the feet. A contact dermatitis rash features dry, cracked, scaly - but not itchy - skin in a localized area. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a more severe allergic reaction and often presents as small, pink or red skin bumps, spots, or blisters that are very itchy. Other conditions that can lead to a foot rash include hand foot and mouth disease, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, an insect bite, and medical conditions like chicken pox, shingles, and Lyme disease. If you have a rash on your feet, please consult with a podiatrist.
Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Michael F. Esber, DPM from Arizona Foot Health Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.
Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Sun City West, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Athlete’s Foot
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream crystallizing and lodging in the joints. It frequently affects the joints of the big toes, which causes sudden and intense pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness. Certain people are more at risk of developing gout than others. People who have medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis should be vigilant of any gout symptoms. Gout is also associated with obesity and with diets high in purines, which are found in seafood and red meat. Certain medications can increase uric acid levels in the body, which may lead to gout. Men are more likely to develop gout prior to the age of 60, while both men and women aged 60 and over have an equal risk of developing gout. Finally, gout may be more likely in people with a family history of this condition. If you have gout or are at risk for it, please consult with a podiatrist, who can help you get the right treatments and teach you strategies to prevent gout.
Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Michael F. Esber, DPM from Arizona Foot Health Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Sun City West, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of poor circulation in your lower limbs, such as numbness, tingling, coldness, pain, or muscle cramps, your podiatrist may want to perform a vascular test. One common way to screen for poor circulation in the feet and ankles is through Doppler ultrasound. A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the blood flow in your arteries and veins. This simple, painless, and noninvasive screening measure can be used to diagnose peripheral artery disease and other common causes of poor lower limb circulation. There are several types of Doppler ultrasounds. A color Doppler helps visualize the movement, speed, and direction of blood flow in color. A duplex Doppler takes images of blood vessels and graphs data about the blood flow. To learn more about Doppler ultrasounds and other vascular tests for the lower limbs, please consult with a podiatrist.
Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Michael F. Esber, DPM from Arizona Foot Health Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Vascular Testing?
Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.
How Is it Conducted?
Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.
The most common tests include:
These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Sun City West, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
