At times, the question of whether your shoes are causing pain is a no-brainer. If you’re wearing extravagantly high heels or too-small loafers, the answer is pretty clear. Other times, the connection is far less obvious. If you’ve been experiencing foot pain in Austin, TX without making any recent changes to your footwear or habits, we’ll look at why shoes might still be the culprit.

The Wrong Kind of Support

Your shoes won’t last forever, especially if you tend to put a lot of wear and tear on them. Plus, if you don’t always switch up your shoes for different activities, such as donning cleats for soccer or adjusting your running shoes for the trail, you can see the cumulative effects of those choices over time.

As you consider the type of support you get from different kinds of shoes, be careful not to make assumptions. For example, flip-flops might seem like perfectly harmless footwear. After all, they’re designed to slip on and off. Plus, they probably feel relatively comfortable walking around. However, flip-flops force your toes to curl over as you walk. The extra pressure means that even if you limit them to poolwear only, you can start to have problems over time.

Style and Fit

It’s easy to choose shoes that are in style, particularly when people have high-profile jobs or lifestyles. However, shoes that cramp your feet can cause more than just a few blisters. From unsightly bunions to painful plantar fasciitis, opting for shoes that fit your feet is important.

Seek Advice in Austin, TX

Foot pain can be caused by any number of factors, and unfortunately, it may seem to appear out of nowhere. Whether the problem is related to nerve, muscle, or bone, foot pain is compounded by every step you take.

If you have foot pain that doesn’t seem to be getting any better, you shouldn’t keep hoping it will go away on its own. The right doctor can tell you whether your shoes are the problem and, if so, which ones make more sense for you. If you’re looking for a podiatrist in Austin, TX, contact the offices of Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM.

Oh no, you broke your toe, now what? A broken toe could be serious, but you’ll need a podiatrist in Austin, TX, to look at it and recommend a treatment. So, let’s look at the difference between minor and severe toe fractures, the symptoms of each, how they are treated, and how long it will take to heal.

You Broke Your Toe Now What?

Once an accident occurs, you will need to determine whether your toe injury is a minor or severe fracture. Then, your podiatrist can recommend the right treatment for a broken toe in Austin, TX.

The Symptoms of a Minor Toe Fracture

• Swelling
• Bruising (skin and/or toenail)
• Throbbing
• Difficulty moving your toe

The Symptoms of a Severe Toe Fracture

• Crooked toe
• Disfigured toe
• Tingling toe
• Numb toe
• Bleeding wound on the toe

How to Treat a Minor Toe Fracture

A minor toe fracture will generally heal without surgery or causing any complications. However, it’s important that you don’t put any pressure on the injured toe. Your podiatrist will probably put a cast or splint on it to prevent movement so it can heal. Additionally, an ice pack can be placed on the injury to help prevent swelling until you can get to the doctor.

How to Treat a Severe Toe Fracture

The treatment for a severe toe fracture could include a cast, splint, or even surgery. Over-the-counter and/or prescription medications will be necessary to help control the pain. You will need to take immediate action to fix your toe fracture, or future complications could occur.

How Long Will It Take for a Toe Injury to Heal?

A minor toe injury will usually take between four and six weeks to heal. However, if you have a severe toe injury, you can expect it to take up to eight weeks or more to heal.

Do You Need a Podiatrist in Austin, TX?

If you are looking for a podiatrist in Austin, TX, please Contact Jeffery Lamour, DPM, PA today. Dr. Lamour has more than 20 years of experience in treating both acute and chronic issues of the feet and ankles. Our state-of-the-art offices are warm and welcoming, and we treat patients of all ages.

A foot fracture, or a broken foot, in Pflugerville or Austin, TX can occur for any number of reasons. While it’s more common in athletes, particularly those who have stepped up their training in the recent past, you can crack the bones in the surface of the foot due to repetitive motion or trauma of nearly every variety. If you’re wondering what it feels like and when it’s time to see a podiatrist, we’ll tell you more about what to do next.

The Nature of a Stress Fracture

A stress fracture in the foot in Pflugerville, TX typically develops if there’s any strain on the bones. The more pressure there is on a single area, the more likely it is that the strain will cause a hairline crack. These cracks are so tiny at the beginning, but they’re similar to a small tear in a piece of paper. In other words, it may not take very long before that tear becomes a much deeper fissure.

Can You Walk on a Fractured Foot?

Thankfully, you typically will get some notification from your body that your foot is in trouble. However, these early signs are mild, meaning you might not even concern yourself with them at first. This is why if you’re feeling any sense of pain or discomfort, particularly in the most commonly injured space between the toes and the ankle or in your heel, you should see a podiatrist in Austin or Pflugerville, TX.

Find a Foot Doctor in Austin, TX

With multiple locations, Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA understands that foot or heel conditions can manifest differently in different people. If you’re concerned about whether you fractured your foot or not, it’s always better to make an appointment than to risk making it worse.