Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and affects people of all ages and activity levels. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed, often due to overuse, high arches, flat feet, or prolonged standing. Symptoms typically include sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning or after sitting for long periods. The foot may feel tight, sore, or swollen along the bottom, and discomfort often worsens after exercise. A podiatrist can diagnose plantar fasciitis through a physical exam, gait evaluation, and imaging when needed. Treatment includes stretching exercises, custom orthotics, or supportive footwear. Early care can prevent chronic pain and help restore mobility. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to relieve your heel pain and promote healthy movement.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Christopher Murphy, DPM  from Murphy Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

Foot pain can often be attributed to a number of conditions, including bunions, hammertoe, metatarsalgia, and neuromas, that require surgical intervention. Bunions are painful bony bumps on the side of the foot, caused by misalignment of the toe joint. Hammertoe, where the toe bends abnormally, results from muscle imbalances, often worsened by tight shoes. Metatarsalgia refers to pain in the ball of the foot, usually from overuse or improper footwear, while a neuroma is a thickening of tissue around nerves in the foot, causing sharp, burning pain. Symptoms for these conditions include pain, swelling, deformity, and difficulty walking. Conservative treatments like footwear changes or orthotics can help, but surgery may be needed for severe cases. Surgical options vary, from joint realignment to nerve decompression, depending on the condition. A podiatrist can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate surgical or non-surgical treatment for relief. If you are dealing with one of these conditions, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Christopher Murphy, DPM of Murphy Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery. Our practitioner 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 Edgewater Port Orange . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Symphalangism is a rare condition where the joints between certain bones are fused, limiting normal movement. In the feet, it often affects the toe joints, most commonly the middle joint of a toe, and results in stiffness and reduced flexibility. Causes may be genetic, as the condition is usually inherited, although it can also develop from abnormal bone growth. Symptoms include rigid toes that do not bend, discomfort while walking, difficulty finding comfortable shoes, and, in some cases, pain from pressure or altered gait. A podiatrist can help by evaluating the severity of the condition, recommending custom orthotics, providing supportive footwear advice, and offering treatment to reduce discomfort. If you have stiff or immobile toes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and offer relief solutions for what may be going on.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Christopher Murphy, DPM of Murphy Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, with the toe leaning  inward toward the second toe. This deformity develops gradually and can result from wearing tight shoes, genetic factors, or arthritis. Risk factors include family history, flat feet, and prolonged pressure on the front of the foot. Symptoms often include pain, redness, swelling, and difficulty while wearing shoes. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity of the bunion, recommend supportive footwear, custom orthotics, or surgical correction, if needed. If you notice discomfort or a visible bump at the base of your big toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Christopher Murphy, DPM of Murphy Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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