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After toenail removal surgery, monitoring for infection is essential to ensure proper healing. Infection can develop when bacteria enter the exposed nail bed, often due to poor wound care, excessive moisture, or an underlying medical condition. Risk factors include diabetes, compromised immunity, and inadequate post-surgical hygiene. Signs of infection may include increased redness, swelling, warmth, or throbbing pain around the surgical site. Pus drainage, foul odor, and delayed healing may also indicate an infection. Fever or chills could suggest a more serious complication requiring medical attention. Keeping the area clean and dry, following post-operative care instructions, and avoiding tight footwear can reduce the risk of infection. If you have had this type of foot surgery and an infection has developed, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to find relief and guide you on post surgery care essentials.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Institue. 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 one of our offices located in St. George, Hurricane, and Cedar City, UT and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Blisters are a common issue for ballet dancers due to the intense physical demands placed on their feet. Constant friction from ballet shoes, especially pointe shoes, can cause the skin to rub against the shoe material, leading to fluid-filled blisters. Moisture from sweat softens the skin, making it more prone to irritation and breakdown. Repetitive movements such as turning, jumping, and balancing place pressure on specific areas of the foot, increasing the likelihood of blister formation. Ill-fitting shoes or improper padding can also contribute to excessive rubbing. Additionally, dancers who transition to pointe work too quickly may experience more severe blisters as their feet adjust to the strain. A foot blister can be uncomfortable and may cause dancing to stop until it completely heals. If you enjoy dancing and have developed blisters, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and prevention tips.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Institue. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. George, Hurricane, and Cedar City, UT and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A stiff big toe, medically known as hallux rigidus, affects the larger joint at the base of the big toe, reducing its ability to move freely and causing pain during activities like walking. Initially, people may notice mild stiffness in the big toe, which progressively worsens as movement becomes increasingly limited. Hallux rigidus is often linked to osteoarthritis, a condition involving joint wear-and-tear. This can lead to symptoms like persistent pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and eventual loss of joint mobility. Risk factors for a stiff big toe include prior toe injuries, repetitive stress from sports or work activity, genetic predisposition, specific foot structures, and inflammatory arthritis. Early symptoms include difficulty bending the toe and pain that intensifies with activity, eventually becoming constant, even at rest. A podiatrist can conduct a thorough examination of the big toe joint through imaging studies like X-rays to determine the correct treatment. Options range from custom orthotics to surgery, in advanced cases. If your big toe becomes unusually stiff and continually painful, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Institue. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in St. George, Hurricane, and Cedar City, UT and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Complex trauma of the foot and ankle is a severe condition that occurs when fractures are accompanied by significant soft tissue damage. This type of injury often involves the neurovascular structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, as well as the joints in the affected area. The severity of the damage can cause considerable pain, swelling, and dysfunction, making it challenging for individuals to move or bear weight on the injured foot or ankle. Complex trauma typically occurs due to high-impact incidents like car accidents, falls from heights, or severe sports injuries. The combination of broken bones, torn ligaments, and compromised blood vessels or nerves requires immediate medical attention. Surgery is sometimes needed to repair fractures, reconstruct soft tissues, and restore normal function. Timely treatment prevents infection, chronic pain, or long-term disability. If you have endured this type of foot and ankle trauma, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you with effective relief and treatment solutions.

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 Foot & Ankle Institue. 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 one of our offices located in St. George, Hurricane, and Cedar City, UT and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.