Items filtered by date: October 2025

Heel pain is a common foot complaint that can significantly impact daily activities. It may stem from conditions such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, or neuromas. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, causing sharp pain near the heel, especially in the morning. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the heel bone often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, resulting in a dull, aching pain that worsens with activity. Neuromas are nerve-related issues that can cause burning or tingling sensations, sometimes accompanied by swelling. The heel may appear swollen or bruised and feel tender to the touch. A podiatrist can diagnose the exact cause through a physical exam and imaging tests. Treatment options include custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or, in some cases, minor surgical procedures. It is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist if heel pain persists.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Parkwood Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Bunions in adolescents can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty finding comfortable shoes. When conservative care such as padding, footwear changes, and orthotics does not provide relief, a precise surgical approach may be considered. Advances in minimally invasive foot surgery now allow podiatrists to correct the alignment of the big toe through very small incisions. Using specialized instruments, the bone can be gently repositioned to restore proper balance and relieve pressure on surrounding joints. This technique typically results in less discomfort, minimal scarring, and a faster recovery compared to traditional procedures. Each case is carefully evaluated to ensure the best outcome while allowing for continued growth and activity. If you are a young person or the parent or a young person struggling with bunion pain or deformity, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist experienced in minimally invasive foot correction who can determine if this type of foot surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Parkwood Podiatry. 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 Brunswick and Hinesville, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Puncture wounds on the feet occur when sharp objects such as nails, glass, or animal teeth pierce the skin and penetrate into deeper tissues. While puncture wounds may seem minor, they often create narrow entry points that drive bacteria and debris beneath the surface, which increases the risk of infection. Because the foot bears weight and is exposed to the ground, puncture wounds in this area can be more complicated than similar injuries elsewhere. Complications may include abscess formation, damage to tendons or bones, or serious infection requiring advanced care. A podiatrist can evaluate the extent of the puncture wound, ensure that any foreign material is safely removed, and determine whether imaging or surgery is necessary. Proper medical care can help prevent long-term problems, such as tissue damage, joint involvement, or in severe cases, limb loss. If you have sustained a puncture wound on the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Parkwood Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Brunswick and Hinesville, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain can affect mobility and quality of life. It may result from injury, arthritis, tendonitis, or swelling. One condition often discussed is "cankles," where the ankle and calf appear to merge without a defined ankle bone, due to swelling or excess fat accumulation. Symptoms of such ankle pain include tenderness, stiffness, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. The area may feel sore, tight, or weak. Causes of cankles can include fluid retention, obesity, or lymphatic problems. A podiatrist can diagnose the underlying cause of ankle pain and cankles through a thorough examination, medical history review, and diagnostic imaging if needed. Treatment options vary but may include compression garments, weight management, medications, or, in some cases, surgery. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to determine the cause of your ankle pain and receive appropriate treatment to improve comfort and mobility.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Parkwood Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Brunswick and Hinesville, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.