Foot and ankle injuries are common among kids and adolescents who play sports, ranging from congenital variants to acute and chronic injuries. Congenital variants can include structural abnormalities present at birth. Osteochondroses, a group of disorders affecting the growth of bones in children and adolescents, can cause pain and swelling. Acute injuries, such as fractures and sprains, and chronic injuries, like stress fractures and tendonitis, are prevalent due to the repetitive stress of sports activities. Soft tissue injuries, including strains and ligament tears, are also frequent. Additionally, infections can complicate injuries if not properly treated. Podiatrists must consider systemic diseases such as inflammatory arthritis when a pediatric athlete presents with unexplained pain and swelling in one or more joints. Adolescents tend to sustain more injuries than younger children due to their increased participation in high-intensity sports and the physical changes during growth spurts. If your child has sustained a foot or ankle injury from playing sports or complains of associated pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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

Bruised toenails, also known as subungual hematomas, typically result from trauma or injury to the toe. The sensitive nail bed can easily sustain damage from sudden impact or repetitive pressure, leading to discoloration and discomfort. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on it, can cause blood vessels beneath the nail to rupture. This leads to the accumulation of blood and the characteristic dark discoloration, usually dark blue or black. If left untreated, bruised toenails can lead to a spread of discoloration or even nail detachment, along with an increased risk of infection. Proper footwear, especially for runners, and caution in high-risk activities are key factors in reducing the likelihood of trauma to the toenails. Recognizing the symptoms of bruised toenails enables individuals to seek timely treatment, prevent potential complications and promote faster recovery. If you've experienced a problematic bruised toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM of Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor 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 feel free to contact our offices located in Ijamsville and Mouth Airy, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Toe fractures can occur due to various reasons, such as stubbing, dropping heavy objects, or even sports injuries. The impact can cause the toe bone to break, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking. Individuals may experience tenderness, bruising, and sometimes even a visible deformity depending on the severity of the fracture. To evaluate toe fractures, podiatrists may perform physical examinations and order X-rays to determine the type and severity of the break. Treatment options range from simple rest and elevation to immobilization using splints, buddy taping, or wearing a special shoe. In severe cases or for fractures that involve displaced bones, surgery may be necessary to realign and stabilize the bones. If you have a broken toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment to facilitate optimal healing and prevent complications. 

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM from Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Plantar fibromas are benign growths that develop in the arch of the foot, often causing discomfort and difficulty with walking. When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, foot surgery may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and restore mobility. During the procedure, the patient is typically placed under local anesthesia, numbing the foot to minimize pain. The surgeon then makes an incision in the skin, carefully dissecting the fibroma from surrounding tissues and nerves. Once the fibroma is removed, the incision is closed with sutures, and a dressing is applied to promote healing. Recovery time varies, depending on the size of the fibroma and the individual's ability to heal, but most patients can expect to resume normal activities within a few weeks. While surgical plantar fibroma excision offers a permanent solution, it is essential to discuss the risks and benefits with a podiatrist. If you have a plantar fibroma that is causing you pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine if this surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Julie Jurd-Sadler, DPM of Progressive Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Ijamsville and Mouth Airy, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.