Items filtered by date: August 2025

Discomfort in the big toe can stem from a range of issues, some developing gradually and others appearing suddenly. Arthritis, particularly in the joint at the base of the toe, can cause stiffness, swelling, and aching. Bunions may create pain by shifting the toe’s position and increasing pressure against footwear. Injuries such as sprains, fractures, or turf toe can result in immediate pain and swelling. Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, often brings intense and sudden pain along with redness and warmth in the joint. Even ingrown toenails can lead to tenderness and difficulty wearing shoes. Identifying the underlying cause is vital to finding the right treatment and preventing further complications. If you notice persistent pain, swelling, or changes in your big toe, it is suggested you seek care from a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Arch Foot & Ankle. 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 contact our offices located in Sugar Land, Houston, and Bellaire, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Surgery for Morton’s neuroma is performed to remove thickened nerve tissue in the ball of the foot when conservative treatments no longer provide relief. This condition causes burning pain, tingling, or the feeling of a pebble under the foot, often due to nerve compression from footwear or repetitive stress. Surgery for Morton's neuroma is recommended when symptoms interfere with daily activities, despite other treatments. Recovery time varies but generally takes several weeks, with gradual return to normal footwear and activity. A podiatrist can determine if surgery is the best option, guide you through the process, and provide post-operative care. If foot pain persists, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can discuss the benefits of this type of foot surgery with you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Arch 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 Sugar Land, Houston, and Bellaire, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken ankle occurs when one or more bones in the ankle joint fracture due to trauma or excessive force. Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam and imaging studies to determine the severity and type of fracture. Common types include a Pott’s fracture, which involves the fibula near the ankle, and an avulsion fracture, where a small piece of bone is pulled away by a ligament or tendon. Symptoms include sudden pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Causes range from sports injuries to falls or accidents. A podiatrist can assess the injury, provide stabilization, and guide treatment. If you suspect you have fractured your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an immediate podiatry visit for appropriate treatment solutions.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Arch Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
• Swelling around the area
• Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Sugar Land, Houston, and Bellaire, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A plantar wart is a small, rough growth that appears on the bottom of the foot caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, infecting the skin through tiny cuts. It commonly develops in areas of pressure such as the heel or ball of the foot. Risk factors include walking barefoot in communal areas, weakened immunity, and skin trauma. Symptoms include thickened skin, pain when walking, and small black dots within the wart, which are clotted blood vessels. A podiatrist can accurately diagnose plantar warts and offer treatments such as removal, cryotherapy, or topical medications to eliminate the virus and relieve discomfort. If you have developed a plantar wart, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist promptly who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Arch Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Sugar Land, Houston, and Bellaire, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.