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Foot Exercises Can Improve Balance

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Improving foot strength and stability is key to maintaining good balance and preventing falls. Simple exercises include sideways walking to engage hip and leg muscles, the grapevine step to enhance coordination, heel to toe walking to train stability, and standing on one leg to build ankle strength. These activities can be done at home with minimal equipment and are suitable for most fitness levels. A podiatrist can assess balance issues, recommend personalized exercise plans, and provide orthotics or footwear advice to enhance results. If you have foot pain, experience unsteadiness, or want to improve your stability, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and offer you additional advice for improving balance.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky from Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Dr. Shlonsky to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual.

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

Common Causes of Big Toe Pain

Tuesday, 19 August 2025

Sharp pain in the big toe can interfere with daily movement and may signal underlying conditions. Gout causes sudden, intense pain due to uric acid buildup in the joint. Sesamoiditis results from inflammation of the small bones under the toe. Turf toe is a sprain from forceful bending, often seen in athletes. Additionally, lumps such as cysts or bone growths can also cause discomfort and pressure. A podiatrist can perform a detailed evaluation, provide imaging if needed, and offer targeted treatments to reduce pain and restore function. If you are suffering from big toe pain, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist to identify the cause and begin the path to healing and relief.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky 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 Louisville, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Understanding Ingrown Toenails and Finding Relief

Tuesday, 12 August 2025

An ingrown toenail, or onychocryptosis, occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, often causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. This condition most commonly affects the big toe and may result from improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, injury, or genetic factors. Risk increases with poor foot hygiene, curved nails, and activities that place repeated pressure on the toes. Symptoms include tenderness along the nail border, pus, and difficulty walking. A podiatrist can provide relief through gentle nail care, infection management, and guidance on prevention. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, which may include minor surgery.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

Improper toenail trimming
Genetics
Improper shoe fitting
Injury from pedicures or nail picking
Abnormal gait
Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Arthritis Can Cause Pain in the Feet and Ankles

Wednesday, 06 August 2025

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

Recognizing When Swelling in Your Feet and Ankles Is Serious

Tuesday, 05 August 2025

It is common to experience occasional swelling in your feet and ankles, especially after standing or walking for long periods of time. Often, this swelling results from fluid retention and resolves with rest and elevation. However, persistent or sudden swelling may signal a more serious concern. When swelling is accompanied by pain, redness, warmth, or difficulty walking, it could indicate a medical condition requiring prompt care. Blood clots, infections, heart problems, kidney issues, or venous insufficiency are possible causes that should not be ignored. Swelling that affects only one leg, worsens throughout the day, or appears without a clear reason should raise concern. People with diabetes, heart disease, or circulation problems should monitor swelling closely, as they are at a higher risk for complications. If swelling limits your daily activities or causes discomfort, it is suggested you schedule a visit with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Steven Shlonsky of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Shlonsky can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet.

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Louisville, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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