Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the skin instead of over it, often the result of improper nail trimming, tight footwear, or injury. Ingrown toenails are common in children, as well as adults. The condition can cause pain, redness, and swelling around the child’s toe. If not treated properly, it can lead to infection. Especially for children, treatment typically begins conservatively, using methods such as soaking the affected foot in warm, soapy water to soften the nail and relieve pain. A podiatrist, or foot doctor, may try lifting the edge of the ingrown nail and placing a small amount of cotton underneath it to help guide the nail to grow above the skin. I is important for children to wear properly fitting shoes and to have their toenails trimmed straight across instead of rounded. This can help prevent the recurrence of ingrown toenails. If conservative treatments fail or if the ingrown toenail recurs frequently, a podiatrist may perform a minor procedure to remove part of the nail. They may treat the nail bed to prevent further issues, if necessary. This approach helps alleviate discomfort and prevent potential complications. If your child is suffering with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for prompt treatment. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of The Sun Healthcare & Surgery Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Congenital abnormalities of the feet encompass a variety of conditions present at birth, including clubfoot, rocker deformity, flatfoot, metatarsus varus, and pes cavus. Clubfoot involves the inward twisting of the foot, while rocker deformity presents as a prominent midfoot bump. Flatfoot refers to a collapsed arch, metatarsus varus to inward forefoot curvature, and pes cavus to an exaggerated arch. Radiographic images are essential in diagnosing and monitoring these conditions, providing detailed insights into bone alignment and structure. Treatment options vary depending on severity and type and may include bracing, stretching exercises, or, in some cases, surgical intervention. A podiatrist specializes in addressing congenital foot abnormalities, offering expert guidance, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing care to ensure optimal foot health. If you have a child born with a congenital foot problem, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of The Sun Healthcare & Surgery Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Antioch, and Martinez, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Lisfranc dislocation is a complex injury affecting the midfoot, specifically the articulation between the metatarsal and tarsal bones. Commonly caused by trauma such as falls, twists, or direct impact, it is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and subtle symptoms. High-energy injuries like car accidents or sports collisions are typical culprits. Mismanagement can lead to long-term complications like chronic pain and arthritis. Severity is graded from mild ligament sprains to severe dislocations. Treatment ranges from conservative methods like immobilization to surgical intervention for severe cases, often involving realignment and fixation. If you believe you may have sustained such an injury to your midfoot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with one of our podiatrists from The Sun Healthcare & Surgery Group. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

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