Items filtered by date: August 2020

Proper functioning of your big toe is essential just to stand and walk, making big toe problems particularly debilitating. Many factors can cause big toe pain and stiffness ranging from systemic disease to toe deformities and injuries.

Some common causes of big toe pain include the following:

Bunions— The bunion deformity is a hereditary bump that forms on the large joint of your big toe. Although it is a hereditary condition, it is often triggered and exacerbated by wearing tight-fitting shoes. The bone growth causes the big toe to press sideways into the other toes causing overlapping problems, blisters, and corns.

Gout—This condition often affects the big toe caused by the uric acid build up in the blood. When uric acid reaches a specific high concentration, it crystallizes out of the blood and into the joints of the extremities. Gout in the big toe can be so painful that just passing a sheet over the affected toe can cause severe pain. Eating a healthy diet low in purines will help decrease uric acid and prevent gout.

Arthritic conditions—Hallux rigidus means “stiff big toe” and is a common condition that may be the result of arthritis. Wearing properly fitted shoes with orthotic inserts can help treat arthritis pain and stiffness.

If you are experiencing big toe pain and stiffness, pain in your foot or heel, problems with your ankle, an injury, ingrown toenails, or any other issues with your feet, our experienced team of podiatrists is here to help!

Contact us today to make an appointment with Alta Ridge Foot Specialists at one of our three offices at 105 Chestnut Street, Mars Hill or 440 Alta Pass Highway, Spruce Pine, or 2211 NC Hwy 105, Boone NC. Our doctors are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care to our patients. Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode, and Dr. Thomas Verla and their staff serve patients in Madison, Mitchell, and Watauga County. We look forward to hearing from you!

Plantar warts are so named because they form in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band of fibrous tissue that spans the bottom of your foot and forms your arch. Plantar warts often cause severe pain and discomfort, especially when you put weight on the affected foot. Since plantar warts often grow hidden beneath the thick skin in the ball or heel area, the only visible sign may be a bump in the skin at the location of the wart.

Some of the available treatments for plantar warts include the following:

• Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen—A hidden wart can be difficult to reach. The thick skin will be removed, and then liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart to freeze it so it will break apart.
• Acid peeling and sanding— After accessing the wart by sanding and removing the thick skin that is covering it, your foot doctor will apply a strong acid solution to the wart to slowly remove it in layers. It can be combined with cryotherapy.
• Medications—Medicines that contain the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can treat the microbes and warts through your bloodstream.

If you have pain from any type of injury or have any concerns about your foot and ankle health, make an appointment with Alta Ridge Foot Specialists at one of our three offices at 105 Chestnut Street, Mars Hill or 440 Alta Pass Highway, Spruce Pine or 2211 NC Hwy 105, Boone NC. We are a proud member of the Instride Foot and Ankle Partnership, a statewide partnership of doctors dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care to our patients. Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode, and Dr. Thomas Verla and their staff look forward to serving you. Contact us today!