Items filtered by date: June 2025

Clubfoot is a condition seen at birth where a baby’s foot twists inward and downward, making the sole face sideways or even upward. One or both feet can be affected, and the calf and foot may appear smaller than normal. Clubfoot involves the foot and ankle bones, joints, and tendons, leading to stiffness and limited motion. While the cause is not always known, it occurs more often in boys or when there is a family history. A similar issue, called positional clubfoot, can happen if the baby’s foot was pressed into an awkward position in the womb, but that form does not affect bone structure. True clubfoot requires early treatment to help move the foot into a better position. A podiatrist can assess the severity, take X-rays if needed, and monitor foot growth to determine whether a brace, casting, or surgery is necessary. If your baby displays symptoms of clubfoot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact One of our podiatrists of Foot and Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Ankle dislocations are typically the result of high-impact trauma such as falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. Ankle dislocations occur when the bones forming the ankle joint are forcefully shifted out of position, often alongside fractures. The direction of the dislocation depends on the foot's position during the injury. Posterior dislocations, the most common type, happen when the foot is pointed downward and twisted. Anterior dislocations occur with upward-pointed toes and forward pressure, while lateral and superior dislocations usually involve a twisting motion or an upward force, such as landing hard on the feet. Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and difficulty walking. Damage to nerves and blood vessels can cause numbness or tingling in the foot. A podiatrist can assess the injury using imaging such as X-rays or CT scans, realign the joint, and determine if surgery is needed to repair damaged structures. If you are experiencing ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with One of our podiatrists from Foot and Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Blisters on the feet often form from friction, usually when skin rubs against tight or poorly fitted shoes. This repeated pressure separates layers of skin, allowing fluid to collect. Blisters can also appear due to burns, cold exposure, allergic reactions, or infections. On the feet, these fluid-filled pockets can become painful, especially when walking. Popping a blister yourself is not recommended, as breaking the skin increases the risk of infection. People with diabetes or circulation issues should be especially cautious, as blisters can become infected more easily. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, or pus. A podiatrist can evaluate the blister, relieve pressure safely, and recommend treatment to reduce pain and protect the surrounding skin. If you have developed a problematic blister on your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact One of our podiatrists of Foot and Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often 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.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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

Hammertoes are a common foot deformity where one or more toes become bent at the middle joint, causing them to resemble a hammer. This condition develops when there is an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally keep the toe straight. Causes include wearing tight or narrow shoes, foot injuries, or inherited foot structure. Identifying features include a curled toe appearance, corns or calluses on top of the affected joint, and difficulty moving the toe. Symptoms may involve pain, swelling, and discomfort while walking. Risk factors include aging, arthritis, and wearing improper footwear. If you have developed a hammertoe, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can diagnose the condition, recommend proper shoes or custom orthotics, and provide treatments to relieve pain and prevent further deformity.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact One of our podiatrists from Foot and Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in New Port Richey and Spring Hill, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.