Items filtered by date: January 2021

When children learn to walk, it is beneficial to have them walk barefoot while indoors. When it is time to walk outdoors, it is important to ensure they wear shoes that fit correctly. This can be accomplished by having your child’s feet properly measured by using a Brannock device. The majority of children have feet that are different sizes, and the larger size shoe should be purchased. When the shoes are tried on, it is beneficial to have the child wiggle their toes to make sure there is adequate room in the top of the shoe. Shoes that are comfortable are often made from breathable materials and are lightweight. If you would like additional information about how to buy shoes for your child, please consult with a podiatrist who can help you to choose the correct shoes.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Thong V. Truong of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

The forefoot refers to the front part of the foot and includes the metatarsal bones, toe bones, and their connective tissues. There are many different conditions which could cause pain in the forefoot. Metatarsalgia is a general term used to refer to pain and tenderness in the ball of the foot. Potential causes of metatarsalgia include toe misalignment, arthritis, or wearing poorly fitted shoes. Sesamoiditis is a painful inflammation of the sesamoid bones located beneath the big toe joint. Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition caused by a pinched nerve between the toes. Toe pain may be caused by arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, or gout. If you have any pain in your forefoot, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist, who can diagnose the problem and offer effective treatments. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Thong V. Truong from California. 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 Chico, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

One of the most common forefoot issues is a bunion. This occurs when there is a bump on the inside of the foot near the big toe joint and the big toe begins moving towards, and potentially overlapping with, the smaller toes. Another type of bunion that can occur is a tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette. A tailor’s bunion occurs on the pinky toe. While bunions can form due to issues with foot function, such as arthritis, improperly fitting footwear tends to be the most common cause. Shoes that are too tight and squeeze the toes together generally lead the first metatarsal bone to protrude on the side of the foot. Because of this, wearing shoes with a wide toe box is usually recommended. Those who are suffering from a painful bunion should visit a podiatrist for proper treatment. Treatment options may include orthotics, and in severe cases, surgery may be suggested.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dr. Thong V. Truong of California. Our doctor 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 office located in Chico, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe occurs when the ligaments and tendons in the middle joint of toes tighten up and force the toes to curl downwards. This can normally happen in any toe except the big toe. The hammertoe can often become uncomfortable if it rubs against the shoe. There are two types od hammertoes which are categorized by the affected toe’s mobility. Flexible hammertoes can be straightened out manually. However, a rigid hammertoe can not be manually straightened out, and its movement can be very limited and painful. Those who are suffering from hammertoes should make sure to wear shoes with a high and wide toe box that allows for enough space for the toes. If your hammertoes persist, make sure to consult with a podiatrist for treatment options since surgery may be necessary.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Thong V. Truong from California. Our doctor 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 office located in Chico, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.