Items filtered by date: February 2023

Until your baby begins to walk, it is thought by experts not to bother with shoes. Babies learn how to navigate, picking up information on balance and stability, while barefoot. It’s important to note that a baby’s feet develop over a period of time, and finding shoes that fit them is paramount to this process. The wise parent is one who frequently measures their baby’s feet over the first few years and replaces shoes as needed. A properly fitting shoe should have about half an inch between the toe and the tip of the shoe. It should also have enough room in the toe box for your toddler to wiggle their feet. Watch for a loose or slipping heel when they walk and any red marks on their feet when the shoes are removed. Lightweight materials such as leather or mesh are thought to be best for a baby’s development. Velcro straps and washability are also positive features. For more information on the best shoes for your toddler, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Tine, DPM of Flamingo Foot and Ankle. Our doctor 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 office located in Fort Lauderdale, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A car accident, a sporting mishap, or a fall are the leading causes of broken ankles. They can range from severe to a hairline fracture, and they can require different forms of treatment. Most people who have broken their ankle often get an X-ray. This is generally successful in determining how severe the fracture is and deciding the type of treatment that will work. Wearing a boot or cast is a common form of treatment for mild breaks, and more severe breaks may require surgery for proper healing. Many broken ankles can bruise and swell, and frequently elevating the foot may reduce these symptoms. The toes may become stiff, and wiggling them may help them to feel better. Crutches may be used to walk and complete daily tasks while taking the weight off of the feet. If you have fallen and have ankle pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and offer you the treatment option that is best for you.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact Stephanie Tine, DPM from Flamingo Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Fort Lauderdale, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The metatarsals are the five long bones beneath the toes of the foot, also known as the midfoot. When the area between the toes and the metatarsals becomes painful, it is a condition termed metatarsalgia. Symptoms are inflammation, bruising and swelling. These in turn may result in numbness and tingling in the toes. Pain is typically felt in the ball of the foot. Better cushioning in the shoes and resting the feet more are some ways to reduce the pain. Causes of metatarsalgia include distance running and engaging in sports such as tennis, soccer, football, and baseball. Wearing poorly fitted shoes is another major cause of metatarsalgia. Culprits include high heels, shoes with a narrow toe box and sports shoes that lack ample cushioning. These types of shoes typically force the weight forward in a way that the ball of the foot is impacted. Other causes of metatarsalgia include bunions, hammertoes, and high arches, all of which can tend to alter proper foot alignment and gait. If the ball of your foot is aching on a regular basis, please consult a podiatrist for information on treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Stephanie Tine, DPM from Flamingo Foot and Ankle. Our doctor 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 office located in Fort Lauderdale, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are several reasons why people may experience toe pain. These can include having a broken toe, an ingrown toenail, or the painful foot condition that is known as gout. Nerve pain can develop from having tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can lead to toe pain. Pain that affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes may come from having Morton’s neuroma, which generally develops from frequently wearing high heels. Another painful foot condition is known as tennis toe, and is quite unsightly. This condition causes blood to pool under the toenail, and happens from constantly jamming the toe against the top of the shoe. The nail will turn a red and black color, and prompt medical attention is required to prevent toe joint pain. If you have toe pain for any reason, it is strongly urged that you speak with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and treat it accordingly. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Stephanie Tine, DPM of Flamingo Foot and Ankle. 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 office located in Fort Lauderdale, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.