The big toe joint, known as the first metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint, connects the toe bones to the foot and supports body weight with each step. Because of this constant stress, it is vulnerable to several conditions. Bunions may develop when the big toe shifts toward the second toe, often causing pain and deformity. Turf toe occurs when the big toe is forced upward, straining ligaments and tissues surrounding  the joint. Osteoarthritis may result from long-term wear and tear, while inflammatory arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, and deformities.  Additionally, gout may strike suddenly, producing severe pain, redness, and swelling when uric acid crystals collect within the joint. Infections, including septic arthritis, can also lead to rapid big toe joint damage and require prompt care. A podiatrist can provide treatment options including wearing supportive footwear, and even surgery, in serious cases. If you have ongoing pain in the big toe joint, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Granite State Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Manchester and Bedford, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A toenail that begins to change in color, thickness, or texture may be a sign of infection. What often starts at the edge of the nail can spread across the surface, leading to yellow or white discoloration, brittle texture, and even complete crumbling of the nail plate. In more advanced cases, the nail may detach from the nail bed, which can cause swelling, discomfort, and sensitivity surrounding the toe. These changes occur more commonly in the feet because toes are often confined in warm, damp environments inside shoes, especially when worn for long periods of time.  Walking barefoot in public places, like locker rooms, or wearing flip-flops in moist conditions can also increase risk. A podiatrist can carefully examine the affected nail, and identify the cause. Treatment of fungal toenails include trimming away damaged nail tissue, or, if necessary, performing outpatient surgery to remove the infected portion. If you notice changes to your toenails, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Granite State Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Manchester and Bedford, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Painful ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing discomfort and sometimes becoming infected. This condition is often caused by improper nail trimming, wearing tight or narrow shoes, injury, or genetic factors. Symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain along the side of the toenail. In severe cases, pus or drainage may be present, and walking or wearing shoes can become difficult. The affected area may look swollen and inflamed, with the skin appearing irritated or thickened. A podiatrist can diagnose ingrown toenails through a physical examination and assess the severity of any infection. Treatment options include proper nail trimming techniques, antibiotics if infection is present, and, in some cases, minor surgery to remove part of the nail. To relieve pain and prevent complications, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for expert care and advice.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Granite State Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Foot cramps are sudden, tight muscle contractions that can cause sharp pain and make it hard to move the foot. They often happen in the arch or toes, and may last just a few seconds or linger for several minutes. These cramps can occur during exercise, at night, or even while resting. There are many possible reasons for foot cramps. Dehydration, low levels of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, or calcium, and poor circulation can all play a role. Wearing unsupportive shoes, overusing the feet, or standing for long periods of time may also increase the chance of cramps. While anyone can experience them, they are more common in older adults and athletes. Targeted stretching exercises, staying hydrated, and choosing supportive footwear can help reduce episodes. If foot cramps are frequent or especially painful, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist to identify the cause and find relief.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Granite State Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 offices located in Manchester and Bedford, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.