Don’t let foot pain keep you down. Find out what could be causing it and what you can do to stop it.

You are ready to lace up your shoes and go running, but you forgot one thing: your foot pain. It’s amazing how quickly foot pain can stop you in your tracks and keep you from the things you love. But don’t let foot pain win! Our Nashville, TN podiatrists, Dr. Timothy Bush, are here to provide you with a little more detail about foot pain and what you can do to treat it.

There are so many different kinds of foot pain that you could be experiencing such as:

• Toe pain
• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Pain at the outer edge of the foot
• Pain at the ball of the foot

Heel Pain

If the pain you are experiencing is heel pain it might be due to plantar fasciitis. Inflammation of the plantar fascia can cause pain that’s worse when you first wake up. Here are some simple ways to treat it:

• Avoid strenuous physical activities and rest as much as possible
• Perform heel and foot stretches (we are happy to show you some great ones!)
• Ice the heel for up to 20 minutes at a time throughout the day
• Wear shoe inserts and supportive shoes
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers

Toe Pain

A bunion might be the cause of your pain, particularly if it originates at the base joint of the big toe. You may also notice a hard lump on the outside of the foot. If so, this could be a bunion. While a bunion won’t go away without surgery it can easily be managed with simple at-home measures like rest, ice or heat therapy, stretching and physical therapy exercises, as well as wearing bunion pads and properly fitted shoes that give your toes room to wiggle and move freely.

Of course, other issues like gout and hammertoes could also cause your toe pain, which is why you should always visit us for a proper diagnosis. A proper diagnosis will lead to a more effective treatment plan in the end.

Arch Pain

While plantar fasciitis may also be responsible for this condition, flat feet may be responsible for your achy, painful arches. Wearing shoe inserts and shoes that provide support, resting and icing the foot when it’s sore and even getting physical therapy are all great treatment options.

Outer Edge

This could mean that you have a broken bone. If you notice other symptoms besides pain such as swelling or bruising around the outer portion of the foot then it’s time you visited us so we can perform the proper imaging tests.

Ball of the Foot

This could be the result of metatarsalgia or Morton’s neuroma. With both of these conditions you can wear orthotics to take pressure off the foot, take pain relievers or talk to our Nashville foot doctors about prescription pain medications or steroid injections. With metatarsalgia you can also ice the foot. If Morton’s neuroma is too severe you may need to consider surgery.

Foot pain doesn’t have to be something you just put up with. Eliminate the problem once and for all by turning to Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, TN. We are ready to create a treatment plan that will have you back on your feet in no time!

Are you tired of living with bunion pain? Dr. Timothy Bush, your Nashville, TN podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, share some information about bunions and explain what you can do to relieve your pain.

What are bunions?

A bunion forms when the bones at the base of your foot move out of alignment, causing your big toe to lean toward your other toes. When this happens, you'll notice a bony bump at the bottom of your big toe.

Who gets bunions?

You may be more likely to develop a bunion if:

• You are female and wear high heels or tight shoes.
• You have arthritis or a foot deformity.
• One of your legs is longer than the other.
• You have a family history of bunions.

What are the signs and symptoms of bunions?

If you have bunions, you will probably experience several of these symptoms, such as:

• Pain at the base of the big toe
• Redness and burning over the bunion
• Corns due to overlapping toes
• Thickened skin over your bunion
• Numbness
• Trouble moving your toe

How can I treat bunion pain at home?

Easing the pressure on your bunion is the simplest way to reduce pain. Buy shoes that are big enough to accommodate your bunion without pressing on it and apply bunion pads to cushion and protect your bunions. Soft gel toe separators prevent your toes from overlapping, reducing corns. Pain can often be relieved with ice and over-the-counter pain relievers.

How can my Nashville podiatrist help?

If bunion pain begins to interfere with your life, your podiatrist can offer treatment options that can make you more comfortable. Your foot doctor may recommend a night splint that helps align the foot or orthotics, custom-made shoe inserts that relieve pressure and pain. In severe cases, surgery to remove swollen tissue and realign your bones may be the best option.

Would you like to learn more about the options for treating your bunion pain? Call Dr. Bush, your Nashville, TN podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, at (615) 662-6676 to schedule an appointment. Relieve your bunion pain with a visit to your foot doctor!

Do you have diabetes? Find out why caring for your feet is crucial to your health.

Diabetes is believed to affect over 29.1 million Americans. Unfortunately, around 8.1 million of those with diabetes may go undiagnosed. While this condition can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medications, it’s important that you focus on your foot care as well. Why? Your Nashville podiatrists Dr. Timothy Bush are here to tell you why caring for diabetic feet is so important.

If you have diabetes, then you may already be well aware that circulation issues, nerve damage and infections can all lead to irreversible and serious health problems. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure that your feet stay healthy. Some ways to do this include:

• Getting regular medical exams and seeing your Nashville foot doctors for routine foot checks
• Monitoring your blood sugar every day
• Getting regular exercise
• Enjoying a healthy balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables

Also, always follow a good foot care routine to keep your feet feeling their best:

• Inspect feet thoroughly every day and look for any changes to the size, color or shape of your feet. Look for problems like redness, cuts, bruising or sores. If you can’t inspect your feet yourself, ask a family member to help or use a hand mirror.
• Be sure to wash feet every day with a gentle cleanser and warm (not hot) water. Hot water can dry out or burn skin. If you have loss of feeling in your feet use your elbow or fingers to test the water’s temperature.
• After a thorough washing, you’ll want to also make sure you dry every part of your feet so that there are no moist areas where fungus can grow. This means drying in between your toes, too!
• Don’t forget to apply a moisturizer after your shower. A moisturizer can help keep rough, dry feet feeling suppler.
• Avoid walking around barefoot, even when indoors. Not having the proper protection for your feet could lead to sores, injuries or an infection.

Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville is here to provide quality, compassionate foot care to the Nashville, TN area. If you are dealing with diabetes and want to get a checkup, call our Nashville office today at (615) 662-6676 to schedule your next appointment.

Heel pain is such a common occurrence that diagnosing it can be difficult. However, if you are experiencing heel pain, you probably understand how quickly this condition can affect your quality of life. Luckily, your Nashville, TN podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville are here to help you beat your heel pain for good.

Where does heel pain come from? 
There are countless conditions which could cause your heel pain. Many factors come into play, such as lifestyle, the amount of use, how active you are and family and medical history. Some common causes of heel pain include:

• plantar fasciitis
• heel spur
• bone spur
• Achilles tendinitis
• pinched nerves
• bursitis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• issues with the fat pads on your feet
• tendonitis
• fractures
• stress fractures

How can my podiatrist help? 
Your Nashville, TN podiatrist uses several methods to diagnose your heel pain. A physical examination helps them spot any obvious abnormalities on the outside of the foot. To search for abnormalities inside of the foot, your doctor uses imaging processes like x-rays or MRIs. Occasionally, blood tests help your doctor determine if there are underlying conditions causing your pain. It is helpful to keep a log of your pain including where the pain is located, its severity on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain), how long it lasts and what makes it better or worse. Once they determine what is causing your heel pain, your doctor works with you to determine the best course of treatment for your situation and lifestyle.

How is heel pain treated? 
Heel pain treatment varies depending on the patient. Often, simply resting the foot and staying off of it as much as possible allows the body to heal itself. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and icing the foot helps to relieve heel pain at home. Physical therapy in the form of specialized stretches and exercises help loosen and strengthen the muscles which support your foot. Medications to reduce swelling and pain are prescribed when over-the-counter medications do not work. Your doctor may recommend injectable corticosteroid if oral medications do not provide results. Night splints and custom orthotics which fit inside the shoe help align the foot and ankle.

For more information on heel pain, please contact DPM and Dr. Timothy W. Bush, DPM at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, TN. Call 615-662-6676 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable associate about scheduling your foot exam today.

What to do when you have an ingrown toenail

Do you have a toe that is swollen and looks bruised? Do you feel a pounding pressure right under your toenail? If so, it sounds like you might have an ingrown toenail, a condition which may not get better on its own. You have an ingrown toenail because the corner or side of your toenail has grown into the soft tissue of your toe. Your podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, Tennessee want you to know how to take care of your ingrown toenail.

Ingrown toenails can be caused by having curved toenails because they are more likely to grow into your tissue. Trauma or injury to your toenail can also result in your toenail growing into your tissue. There are a few things you should know about preventing an ingrown toenail, such as:

• Wearing supportive shoes with plenty of room for your toes
• Cutting your toenails straight across
• Leave toenails a little long, don’t cut them too short

Your podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville want you to know about some treatments you can try at home to relieve your pain from an ingrown toenail. You should try:

• Soaking your toe in warm water 3 times per day
• Cushioning your toe with cotton
• Placing dental floss underneath the ingrown part of your nail
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol, Advil or Aleve
• Applying antibiotic cream to the area and bandaging it
• Wearing open-toed shoes until your toe heals

If home treatments don’t make you feel better, stop in and see your podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville. They have many in-office treatments to help you such as:

• Lifting up your toenail from the surrounding skin which lets your toenail grow above the skin
• Trimming or removing the ingrown part of your toenail
• Removing your nail entirely, lessening the chance of another ingrown toenail

If you think you have an ingrown toenail, you don’t need to suffer when help is just a phone call away. Call your podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, Tennessee and they can help you take care of your ingrown toenail and get you back on your feet.