Items filtered by date: May 2025

A tailor's bunion, also known as a bunionette, is a bony prominence that forms on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe. This condition occurs when the fifth metatarsal bone shifts outward while the little toe moves inward, creating a painful bump. It is often caused by inherited foot structure, poor footwear choices, or abnormal foot mechanics. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, and discomfort when wearing shoes. Tailor's bunions can interfere with daily activities and limit footwear options. Treatment usually involves wearing wider shoes, and using padding or orthotics for support. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. If you have a tailor’s bunion, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer effective relief tips that can ease discomfort.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a rare inherited disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for controlling muscles and relaying sensory information. This condition gradually damages the nerves, often leading to muscle weakness and decreased sensation in the feet and lower legs. People with Charcot-Marie-Tooth may develop high arches, curled toes, and an abnormal gait due to the weakening of foot and leg muscles. Over time, the condition can result in balance issues, foot deformities, and difficulty walking. Symptoms often begin in childhood or early adulthood and  typically progress slowly. While there is no cure, treatment options like custom orthotics and supportive footwear can help manage discomfort and improve mobility for those living with this lifelong condition. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Foot pain in toddlers can be concerning and may arise from several underlying conditions.  Achilles tendinitis may also lead to discomfort, caused by strain or irritation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel. Plantar fasciitis, although more common in adults, can affect toddlers and results in pain from inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot. Sever's disease, while more common among adolescents, may affect toddlers who do a lot of running and jumping. It involves inflammation of the heel's growth plate during periods of rapid growth. Additionally, minor fractures from falls or bumps during play can cause sharp or persistent pain. If your child has foot pain or if you notice there is constant tripping or lagging behind in physical activity, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer treatment options.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A hammertoe develops when the middle joint of one of the smaller toes bends downward, often due to muscle and tendon imbalances in the foot. It is commonly linked to wearing high-heeled or narrow shoes. People with long toes, flat feet, bunions, or a family history of foot deformities may also be more likely to have a hammertoe. Early symptoms include discomfort, swelling, and the formation of corns where the toe rubs against footwear. A podiatrist can examine the foot and use imaging tests to determine if the toe is still flexible or has become rigid. For flexible hammertoes, medical treatment may include switching to shoes with a wide toe box or using custom orthotic devices to support the foot and relieve pressure. When the deformity becomes fixed or painful, surgery may be recommended. Procedures to restore alignment include tendon lengthening, tendon transfer, or arthrodesis, which involves removing part of the joint to fuse the bones and straighten the toe. If you experience pain from a hammertoe deformity, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for regular treatment.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. 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 Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.