Cold-related foot injuries, such as frostbite, chilblains, and trench foot, occur when feet are exposed to prolonged cold and damp conditions. Frostbite happens in freezing temperatures, leading to tissue damage as blood flow slows. Symptoms include numbness, discoloration, and potentially blistering. Chilblains, or painful, itchy swelling, develop when skin repeatedly warms up too quickly after cold exposure, causing blood vessels to leak. Trench foot, resulting from prolonged dampness in cold conditions, leads to tissue breakdown, swelling, and pain. These injuries are especially common among outdoor workers, hikers, and individuals without proper cold-weather footwear. Prevention involves wearing insulated, moisture-wicking socks and waterproof boots to keep feet warm and dry. If symptoms develop, it is suggested that you rewarm feet and visit a podiatrist promptly, so that the severity can be assessed and complications avoided.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Carrie Frame, DPM of West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor 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 office located in Charleston, WV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is an oddly shaped bone in the center of the foot surrounded by other bones. The calcaneocuboid (CC) is the joint between the cuboid and heel bones and plays an important part in movement and stability.  Cuboid Syndrome is a painful condition on the outside of the foot which occurs when the cuboid bone is displaced and no longer aligns with other bones, resulting in a loss of joint congruence. It may become difficult to put weight on the foot, stand, walk, or hop. Causes of cuboid syndrome may include obesity, muscle or tendon impairment, flat feet, or inappropriate footwear. If you wear shoe inserts that are poorly made, train on hard surfaces (or overtrain), you may increase your risk of developing cuboid syndrome. Imaging may not be able to detect the loss of congruence in the joint so a podiatrist will perform an examination and clinical tests to make a diagnosis and devise a treatment plan.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Carrie Frame, DPM from West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Finding the right shoes for your child starts with understanding how quickly the feet change as bones, muscles, and ligaments grow. Toddlers often begin walking with flat arches or feet that turn inward, but this usually improves as strength develops. Children’s shoes should protect their feet while allowing natural movement. Experts suggest buying shoes that bend near the toes, offer room for growth, and have a shape that matches the natural width of the forefoot. A secure heel helps guide the ankle, while laces or straps prevent slipping. Shoes that lack adequate support can lead to rubbing, ingrown toenails, or discomfort that affects walking. A podiatrist can assess foot alignment, recommend proper shoe structure, and discuss whether added support is needed to prevent long-term issues or reduce the chance of needing surgery. If your child is having foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance in choosing the proper footwear.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Carrie Frame, DPM of West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

The medical term for cracked heels can be referred to as heel fissures. They are defined as cracks in the outer edge of the heel that can be a result of dry skin. This can occur from wearing shoes that have an open back, or from standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. This condition can cause pain and discomfort, and in severe cases, bleeding may occur. There are many patients who find mild relief when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Additionally, a pumice stone may be used that can help to remove dead skin. Ignoring cracked heels can lead to fissures and increased risk of infection. For that reason, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who is able to offer safe treatment and suggest prevention techniques.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Carrie Frame, DPM from West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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