Posts for category: Foot Condition

When you bring your child into the podiatrist’s office, the specialist will examine your child’s walk and gait. They will also observe how your child stands to see if their feet turn inwards or to look at how your child’s hips are positioned. Your podiatrist may also recommend imaging tests to look at the alignment of the bones.
While a pediatrician may be the first person to look at and diagnose your child’s pigeon toes, a pediatric podiatrist is going to be able to provide your little one with the specialized treatment and care they need.
Most parents are relieved to find out that many children grow out of mild to moderate forms of pigeon toes. While this may take a few years, this is nothing to worry about and children won’t require special treatment or care.
However, if this issue is detected in your infant, they may need to wear a cast on the feet to fix the alignment before your child begins walking. A podiatrist can also show you a series of stretches and massages that can help the bones grow into the proper alignment.
If your child’s pigeon toes are still causing them issues by 10 years old, then you may want to talk with your podiatrist about whether surgery may be necessary to correct these bone alignment issues.

- Seek immediate medical attention (head to your local ER)
- You may need a tetanus shot if it’s been more than 10 years since your last shot
- Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist within 24 hours of the injury
- Your podiatrist will provide you with a variety of care instructions to keep it clean and disinfected (make sure to follow all of these instructions)
- Fever
- New or worsening pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Drainage
- Skin that’s warm to the touch

- Pain that occurs immediately after an injury or accident
- Pain that is directly above a bone
- Pain that is worse with movement
- Bruising and severe swelling
- A cracking sound at the moment of injury
- A visible deformity or bump
- Can’t put weight on the injured foot
The symptoms of a sprain are far less severe. You can often put weight on the injured foot with a sprain; however, you may notice some slight pain and stiffness. You may also have heard a popping sound at the moment of the injury with a sprain, while a broken bone often produces a cracking sound. The pain associated with a sprain will also be above soft tissue rather than bone. A podiatrist will perform an X-ray to be able to determine if you are dealing with a break or a sprain.
Rest is key to allowing an injury, particularly a fracture, to heal properly. Along with rest, your doctor may also recommend either an over-the-counter or prescription-strength pain reliever, depending on the severity of your fracture. Those with more moderate to severe fractures may require a special boot, brace, or splint. Those with more severe fractures may need to wear a cast and use crutches, so they can avoid putting any weight on the foot.
Ankle and foot injuries could impact one or several structures in the ankles and feet. Your ankle and foot complex contains numerous joints, bones, tendons, muscles, nerves, and ligaments. A problem, even a seemingly minor one, with any of these parts could lead to pain, discomfort, and other ill effects.
For this, a proper diagnosis with your North Shore, IL, podiatrist, Dr. Gary Rogers here at Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, IL, is crucial to obtain proper treatment.
Common Types of Ankle and Foot Injuries
- Dislocations and fractures of the toe, foot, or ankle
- Soft tissue injuries such as ankle sprains, foot and toe bruises, ligament tears, foot infections, and wounds, as well as Achilles tendon injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries such as bunions, toe, foot, or ankle tendinitis, hammer toe, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs
- Deformities and defects like cavus foot and clubfoot and deformities due to injury like Charcot's foot
- Nerve-related conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and Morton’s neuroma
It’s vital to consult your podiatrist for persistent ankle or foot injury symptoms, including pain, numbness, or swelling. Seeking proper treatment early on can help prevent the progression of these symptoms and resolve the initial cause of the injury. Some injuries, such as fractures and infections (especially if you’re diabetic), will require immediate treatment.
Common Treatments for Foot and Ankle Injuries
During your consultation in our Wilmette, IL, office, your podiatrist in North Shore, IL, will recommend a treatment plan that’s specific to your injury. In general, the main treatment goals include improving your symptoms and fixing any physical issues. These usually require physical therapy.
For minor injuries OTC anti-inflammatory medications and the RICE (resting, icing, compressing, and icing) treatment protocol usually works. Some conditions due to injuries like heel spurs and bunions will require an overhaul of your footwear choices. You may likewise have to use orthotics to help improve your comfort and ankle and foot alignment.
Additionally, for severe injuries, you might have to wear a cast, walking boot, or splint, and use crutches. More potent prescription medicines, corticosteroids injections, and/or surgical intervention might also be necessary to effectively treat certain ankle and foot injuries.
Need Help With An Ankle or Foot Injury? Get In Touch With Us
Arrange an appointment with your North Shore, IL, podiatrist, Dr. Gary Rogers of Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, IL, by calling (847) 256-4434.

- You experience pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints of the foot, particularly the toes
- You experience aching feet, particularly after activity or long periods of standing
- Some parts of your foot may feel oddly warm to the touch or may emanate heat while the rest of the foot feels normal
- The joints of the toes and ankles may swell
What does RA do to the feet and ankles?
Along with painful joints and stiffness, you may also notice other changes to your feet over time. Some of these changes include,
- Bunions
- Corns
- Hammertoes and claw toes
- Bursitis
- Circulation issues (e.g. atherosclerosis; Raynaud’s phenomena)
Since RA is not curable, your podiatrist will focus on crafting a treatment plan that will help to alleviate your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease to prevent severe and irreparable joint damage. Prescription medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are biologics that can reduce inflammation and prevent the progression of the disease.
Of course, there are also lifestyle changes you can make along with taking prescription medication that can also ease symptoms,
- Warm soaks
- Custom insoles or orthotics
- Pain relievers
- Compression
- Stretching exercises for the feet
- Bracing
- Steroid injections (for targeting severe inflammation)
Most people with RA will eventually develop foot and ankle problems, which is why it’s important to have a podiatrist on your team that can help you manage your RA effectively.