A tailor’s bunion is defined as a swollen lump that forms on the side of the pinky toe. It is smaller than a normal bunion possibly because of the area it develops in. It can be referred to as a bunionette and can result in the bottom bone of the little toe shifting outward. This bone is called the fifth metatarsal bone and in addition to shifting it may become enlarged. A common cause of a tailor’s bunion is wearing shoes that are too narrow and this may be prevalent among women who frequently wear high heels. People who have an abnormal foot structure may notice this type of bunion also, which may be inherited. Additional reasons can include having loose ligaments in the foot and tight calf muscles. Many patients choose to wear custom-made orthotics that can help to diminish existing pain while cushioning the bunion. If you have developed a tailor’s bunion, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of the podiatrists of Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. 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 Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hallux rigidus is a condition that typically affects the joint between the first long bone of the foot and the big toe. It is called the metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTP for short. Pressure on the bones, ligaments, and tendons of the MTP joint caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes or standing for long periods of time can result in inflammation. The big toe becomes stiff and painful, making it difficult to walk with a normal gait. A faulty distribution of body weight further aggravates the joint and can lead to the destruction of the cartilage. The big toe will hurt when it is moved up and down and sometimes a bone spur will form on the end of the first metatarsal bone. Alterations to footwear, such as avoiding high heels and wearing shoes with a roomier toe box, can bring some relief, but will not stop the progression of the hallux rigidus. It is wise to treat it early for better results. If the stiffness in the big toe does not go away after a few days, please seek the guidance of a podiatrist, who may prescribe both medication and custom orthotics. In more advanced cases, surgery may be an option. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of the podiatrists of Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. 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 feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Pes Planus is the technical term for flat feet or fallen arches. This condition is evident when the foot appears entirely flattened to the floor with little or no arch. There are usually no direct symptoms of flat feet. However, there are associated symptoms, such as shin, calf, knee, or back pain. Babies are born with flat feet, partially because of an increase of fat in this area and also because the arch is not yet fully developed. This is less common in teens and older people, and it may cause problems. When one develops flat feet later in life, it is typically a result of an injury or prolonged stress on the foot. However, flat feet can be caused by genetic disorders, obesity, rapid leg growth, or over-exercising. If a flat foot is not causing any pain, no immediate treatment is necessary. However, those who are on their feet frequently should wear supportive shoes with arch support insoles. If pain is present with flat feet, orthotic shoe inserts are usually helpful. When a flat foot is severely rigid, surgery may be helpful, but as a last resort. If you have flat feet and they are causing you discomfort, see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the condition and provide appropriate treatment.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of the podiatrists from Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Going shoe shopping for runners can be incredibly difficult. With so many options to choose from, different brands, and different styles, selecting a running shoe can often feel daunting and impossible. However, there are certain guiding rules that you might consider keeping in mind when going shoe shopping. One guiding principle to bear in mind is that the type of running shoe that you select ought to be a good fit for the type of terrain that you are running on. For example, runners ought to consider whether they are primarily running on treadmills, tracks, streets/sidewalks, paths, or hills. Each type of terrain calls for different features in a running shoe. Namely, running on hard surfaces such as streets or sidewalks requires the running shoe to be heavily cushioned. You might look for a running shoe with hefty cushions and padding material around the heel. Running on tracks, however, requires the running shoe to have spikes so that you can grip the track and increase your speed. Lastly, if you are running on outside terrain such as a hill or an outdoor path, you could consider shopping for a running shoe that is weather resistant and significantly durable. If you are a runner in the market for a good pair of running shoes, contact a podiatrist who can help you in your search.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact one of the podiatrists from Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A condition called Sever’s disease actually sounds worse than it is. It is a harmless, though temporarily painful, condition that usually affects children between the age of 8 and 13 who are physically active. The good news is that with the right treatment and a bit of time, it will go away in most cases. Medically termed calcaneal apophysitis, Sever’s disease is the inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. Repetitive stress from running and jumping, or other high-impact activities, affects the area at the back of the heel that is not fully developed. Additional stress from the pulling of the Achilles tendon exacerbates the condition. Your child may complain of pain and some swelling under the heel. Rest from the activity causing the pain is usually the first recommendation. Heel padding in the shoes may also help in mild cases, along with certain exercises to stretch the calf muscles. If you have a child who participates in sports, it is a good idea to develop a relationship with a podiatrist who can oversee their foot development and treat foot or ankle problems as they arise.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of the podiatrists from Ark La Tex Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.