May 2023

When you think of sprained ankles, athletes often come to mind, but anyone can incur this painful injury. Simply stepping unexpectedly off of a curb can cause an ankle sprain. A sprain is the overstretching, tearing, or rupturing of ligaments that hold the ankle together. Experts suggest immobilizing the affected ankle immediately, to stabilize the joint, and reduce existing swelling. If the sprain is mild, utilizing the rest, ice, compression, and elevation first aid techniques can help. If putting weight on the injured foot is extremely painful, the sprain is likely to be more severe, possibly causing recovery time to increase. Unfortunately, healing from a sprained ankle can generally take several months. An essential part of healing a sprained ankle is performing stretching and strengthening exercises to help the joint become more stable. In addition, wearing an ankle brace or using crutches may help with mobility. A podiatrist can offer more advanced treatment options, including prescribing anti-inflammatory medications, recommending appropriate orthotic devices, and performing surgery to repair the ligament, if needed. If you believe you have sprained an ankle, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options. 

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris from Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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

If a person is living with foot pain, there may be any number of potential causes. For example, a person might have a condition such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs that is causing the pain. Additionally, foot pain has interesting connections and relationships to other parts of the body that may be affected. Specifically, foot pain can sometimes be linked with hip pain. The reason for this is that the interaction between the foot and the hip, as well as the knee, form a kinetic chain, responsible for facilitating motion. Also, since the feet are the very foundation of the body, a problem with the feet could also lead to a problem with hip pain. Importantly, the hips and the feet are interconnected and one ought to care for both of these important body parts. If you are someone currently living with hip or foot pain, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Kirk Sherris from Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Osteoarthritis, or OA, can affect the base of the big toe and cause significant pain. This type of arthritis occurs when joints wear down, and bones become exposed and rub against each other. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and a limited range of motion. Walking may become difficult, and neuropathy can develop as OA of the big toe worsens. As with many other foot conditions, pain with big toe arthritis is often worse after periods of inactivity. Sometimes a reactive bone process can happen with OA, where the body will attempt to repair itself by growing more bone. Bony protrusions, called spurs, can then grow on the joint, which heightens pain, causes the toe to stiffen, and can lead to a visible bump or callus on the toe. If you suffer from OA of the big toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist, who can provide options for relief.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay 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 feel free to contact our office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that is noticeable as the second or third toe bends up at the middle joint, forcing the end of the toe to point down. Children may develop this condition from wearing shoes that are too tight in the toe area. The child may complain their toes are painful, which may be a result of the toe rubbing against the shoe while walking. When shoes are worn that do not fit properly, the muscles and tendons in the toes may tighten. This can cause difficulty in straightening the toe muscles, and walking may be compromised. It is beneficial to address this condition as early as possible, and temporary relief may be found when larger shoes are worn. If the hammertoe toe is severe, it may help to wear toe splints, in addition to gently stretching your child’s toes. If your child has developed hammertoe, it is strongly suggested to speak to a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can offer you correct treatment methods.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

A sudden accident or fall may cause the foot to fracture. This is also known as a broken foot, and often requires immediate medical attention. Common symptoms many people can experience with this condition include bruising, swelling, and it is often difficult, if not impossible, to walk. If the fracture is severe, a bone may protrude from the skin, and surgery may be necessary to replace and realign the affected bone. A diagnosis is often performed that can determine the severity of the break, and this is done by having an X-ray taken. The correct treatment can consist of wearing a boot that allows mobility, and frequently elevating the affected leg as often as possible. The average recovery time for a broken foot is approximately eight weeks, and normal activities can gradually resume once the healing process is completed. If you have broken your foot, and continue to have pain and swelling, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris from Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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