Items filtered by date: June 2025

Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise that can help improve a variety of foot conditions by reducing pressure on joints while promoting movement and circulation. Conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, bunions, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis can benefit from swimming due to the gentle resistance and support water provides. The buoyancy helps relieve stress on the feet while strengthening surrounding muscles and improving flexibility. Swimming also enhances blood flow, which aids in reducing inflammation and supporting healing. A podiatrist can help determine if swimming is suitable for your specific condition and recommend complementary treatments or exercises. If you are managing chronic foot pain or recovering from injury, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to learn how swimming can become a valuable part of your treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing high heels does not have to mean sacrificing foot comfort or health. Choosing the right pair starts with ensuring the correct shoe size to avoid pressure on the toes and heel. Look for a well cushioned insole that provides support and absorbs shock. A thicker heel offers greater stability and reduces the risk of ankle injuries. Paying attention to heel height and avoiding shoes with an excessively pointed toe box can also help reduce strain. A podiatrist can offer guidance on selecting heels that match your foot structure and prevent pain or injury. If you have foot pain from wearing high heels, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with this type of doctor who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on correct footwear.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the heel bone, often caused by repetitive stress from running, wearing poorly fitting shoes or high heels, or having flat feet or high arches. These spurs can lead to pain and inflammation, especially when walking or standing. When conservative treatments do not relieve symptoms, surgery to remove heel spurs may be considered. Common procedures include inferior heel spur resection, which removes spurs beneath the heel, and posterior heel spur resection, which addresses spurs at the back of the heel near the Achilles tendon. A podiatrist can evaluate your condition, recommend appropriate treatment, and determine if surgery is necessary. Heel spurs can be painful. If you have developed one, it is suggested that you contact this type of doctor who can further discuss the benefits of foot surgery with you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Walking is generally safe for people with gout, especially when the condition is under control. Gout commonly affects the big toe joint, but it can also involve the lesser toes and ankles. Symptoms include intense pain, redness, and swelling during flare-ups. While joint-friendly activity like walking may help reduce stiffness and maintain mobility, such activity during a flare can increase discomfort and affect function. Pain in the foot or ankle may alter a person’s walking pattern and lead to slower steps or reduced ankle movement, especially in chronic cases. During a gout flare, rest is often needed to avoid worsening inflammation in the affected joint. Once the flare subsides, gradual walking may resume with wearing supportive footwear and care to avoid strain. A podiatrist can assess joint health, suggest exercise goals, and monitor for permanent joint changes. If you have foot pain from flare-ups of gout, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance regarding appropriate levels of activity.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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