• AminoFix injection for Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendonitis
  • Arch Pain
  • Bunions And Bursitis
  • Certified Wound Care Specialist
  • Comprehensive Foot And Ankle Surgery
  • Congenital Foot And Ankle Deformities
  • Corns And Calluses
  • Diabetic Foot Care
  • Flat Feet
  • Foot And Ankle Fractures
  • Fungal Skin Infections


    • Hammertoes
    • Laser treatment for fungal nails
    • Heel Spurs
    • Metatarsal Disorders
    • Pediatric Foot And Ankle Problems & Injuries
    • Plantar Fasciitis
    • Plantar Warts
    • Reconstructive Surgery Of The Foot And Ankle
    • Sports Related Injuries
    • Traumatic Surgery Of The Foot And Ankle
    • Treatment Of Charcot Foot And Ankle Deformities
    • Treatment Of Ingrown, Fungal And Thickened Nail Conditions

    Welcome to the Patient Information Center! Here you will find information about the most common foot and ankle ailments. Click on any of the issues below to find out more about specific problems and what treatment options are available. Here you will also find links to interesting websites pertaining to podiatry. If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us through the website or give us a call!

    Common Ailments

    Helpful Information & Links

    The path to board certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) begins after graduating from an approved podiatric surgical residency program after which our doctors pass a rigorous written examination to become board qualified. Next, doctors spent up to 6 years of their initial practice time collecting various patient cases which demonstrate to the ABPS their decision-making, competency, and skills as a foot and ankle surgeon. After submission of these cases, detailed review, and acceptance to the ABPS, doctors sit for the ABPS oral examination held in Chicago, IL.

    • Dr. Paradoa has satisfied requirements by the ABPS to become board certified in Foot, Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery.

    Our patients can feel confident that they are being treated by a foot and ankle surgeon who has dedicated years of her education, training, and experience to achieving board certification status by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
    The American Board of Podiatric Surgery website has a wealth of information about podiatry and the requirements that must be met.

    A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is to the foot and ankle what a dentist is to the mouth, or an ophthalmologist to the eye — a doctor specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent judgments, prescribes medications and performs surgery. The human foot has a complex interrelation with the rest of the body which means that it may be the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since the podiatric physician is often the first to detect symptoms of these disorders, he or she becomes a vital and sometimes lifesaving link in the health care team.

    The American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of thousands of foot and ankle surgeons. Their website contains a plethora of information about advances in podiatry and connects its members to share that knowledge.

    FootHealthFacts.org is the official consumer website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. This is a wonderful resource of information! From what foot injuries Olympians have suffered from during the 2012 London Olympics to a growing trend in lawn mower accidents, you will find interesting, informative and compelling articles in the world of Podiatry.

    Patient Forms

    Please print and fill out these forms so we can expedite your first visit:

    In order to view or print these forms you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Click here to download it Get Adobe Reader

    The structure of the foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Of the 26 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot). Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones are common and require evaluation by a specialist. A foot and ankle surgeon should be seen for proper diagnosis and treatment, even if initial treatment has been received in an emergency room.

    What Is a Fracture?
    A fracture is a break in the bone. Fractures can be divided into two categories: traumatic fractures and stress fractures.

    Toe FractureTraumatic fractures (also called acute fractures) are caused by a direct blow or impact, such as seriously stubbing your toe. Traumatic fractures can be displaced or non-displaced. If the fracture is displaced, the bone is broken in such a way that it has changed in position (dislocated).

    Signs and symptoms of a traumatic fracture include:

    • You may hear a sound at the time of the break.
    • “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the place of impact) at the time the fracture occurs and perhaps for a few hours later, but often the pain goes away after several hours.
    • Crooked or abnormal appearance of the toe.
    • Bruising and swelling the next day.
    • It is not true that “if you can walk on it, it’s not broken.” Evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon is always recommended.

    Stress fractures are tiny, hairline breaks that are usually caused by repetitive stress. Stress fractures often afflict athletes who, for example, too rapidly increase their running mileage. They can also be caused by an abnormal foot structure, deformities, or osteoporosis. Improper footwear may also lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures should not be ignored. They require proper medical attention to heal correctly.

    Symptoms of stress fractures include:

    • Pain with or after normal activity
    • Pain that goes away when resting and then returns when standing or during activity
    • “Pinpoint pain” (pain at the site of the fracture) when touched
    • Swelling, but no bruising

    Consequences of Improper Treatment
    Some people say that “the doctor can’t do anything for a broken bone in the foot.” This is usually not true. In fact, if a fractured toe or metatarsal bone is not treated correctly, serious complications may develop. For example:

    • A deformity in the bony architecture which may limit the ability to move the foot or cause difficulty in fitting shoes
    • Arthritis, which may be caused by a fracture in a joint (the juncture where two bones meet), or may be a result of angular deformities that develop when a displaced fracture is severe or hasn’t been properly corrected
    • Chronic pain and deformity
    • Non-union, or failure to heal, can lead to subsequent surgery or chronic pain.

    Treatment of Toe Fractures
    Fractures of the toe bones are almost always traumatic fractures. Treatment for traumatic fractures depends on the break itself and may include these options:

    • Rest. Sometimes rest is all that is needed to treat a traumatic fracture of the toe.
    • Splinting. The toe may be fitted with a splint to keep it in a fixed position.
    • Rigid or stiff-soled shoe. Wearing a stiff-soled shoe protects the toe and helps keep it properly positioned.
    • “Buddy taping” the fractured toe to another toe is sometimes appropriate, but in other cases it may be harmful.
    • Surgery. If the break is badly displaced or if the joint is affected, surgery may be necessary. Surgery often involves the use of fixation devices, such as pins.

    Treatment of Metatarsal Fractures
    Breaks in the metatarsal bones may be either stress or traumatic fractures. Certain kinds of fractures of the metatarsal bones present unique challenges.

    For example, sometimes a fracture of the first metatarsal bone (behind the big toe) can lead to arthritis. Since the big toe is used so frequently and bears more weight than other toes, arthritis in that area can make it painful to walk, bend, or even stand.

    Another type of break, called a Jones fracture, occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone (behind the little toe). It is often misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain, and misdiagnosis can have serious consequences since sprains and fractures require different treatments. Your foot and ankle surgeon is an expert in correctly identifying these conditions as well as other problems of the foot.

    Treatment of metatarsal fractures depends on the type and extent of the fracture, and may include:

    • Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone.
    • Avoid the offending activity. Because stress fractures result from repetitive stress, it is important to avoid the activity that led to the fracture. Crutches or a wheelchair are sometimes required to offload weight from the foot to give it time to heal.
    • Immobilization, casting, or rigid shoe. A stiff-soled shoe or other form of immobilization may be used to protect the fractured bone while it is healing.
    • Surgery. Some traumatic fractures of the metatarsal bones require surgery, especially if the break is badly displaced.
    • Follow-up care. Your foot and ankle surgeon will provide instructions for care following surgical or non-surgical treatment. Physical therapy, exercises and rehabilitation may be included in a schedule for return to normal activities.

    For more information on broken toes, listen to the Broken Toes podcast. 

    Appointment Request

    Our Locations

    Find us on the map

    Hours of Operation

    Our Regular Schedule

    Vero Beach Location

    Monday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Tuesday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Wednesday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Thursday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Friday:

    9:00 AM-12:00 PM

    Saturday:

    Closed

    Sunday:

    Closed

    Sebastian Location

    Monday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Tuesday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Wednesday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Thursday:

    9:00 AM-5:00 PM

    Friday:

    9:00 AM-12:00 PM

    Saturday:

    Closed

    Sunday:

    Closed