Items filtered by date: October 2025

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe when the joint becomes misaligned. It develops gradually as the big toe leans toward the second toe. Common causes include wearing tight or narrow shoes, inherited foot structure, or arthritis. A bunion often looks swollen and red and may cause pain or stiffness when walking. Risk factors include family history, flat feet, and prolonged pressure on the feet. A podiatrist can assess the severity, recommend supportive footwear, custom orthotics, or surgery, if needed. If you have a painful bump on your big toe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective relief tips, and help prevent further deformity.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor 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 office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the toenails, causing them to become thickened, discolored, brittle, and sometimes painful. It is often caused by fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments such as shoes, locker rooms, and public showers. Risk factors include excessive sweating, poor foot hygiene, or a weakened immune system. Symptoms include yellow or white streaks on the nail, foul odor, or nail separation from the nail bed. A podiatrist can diagnose the infection through examination and testing, then recommend antifungal medications, laser therapy, or nail debridement. If you notice changes in your toenails, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide appropriate treatment for toenail fungus.

For more information about treatment, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

Foot cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that cause sharp pain and stiffness in the foot. They may occur during activity or even while resting. Common causes include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor circulation, or overuse of muscles. Risk factors include intense exercise without proper stretching, wearing footwear lacking adequate support, and medical conditions that affect nerves or blood flow. These cramps can interfere with daily activities and athletic performance, if not addressed. A podiatrist can identify underlying causes, recommend stretching and strengthening exercises, and provide guidance on footwear or orthotics to reduce recurrence. Foot cramps can disrupt daily activities as well as sleep. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause, and offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Hadryan Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Stretching is essential for runners to prevent injuries, improve flexibility, and support muscle recovery. The knee hug stretch loosens hip and glute muscles by pulling one knee toward the chest while standing. The child’s pose relaxes the back and hips by kneeling and reaching arms forward on the ground. A simple toe touch stretches hamstrings and calves by bending forward to touch your toes. These stretches improve circulation, reduce tension, and enhance running performance. A podiatrist can assess gait, provide injury prevention tips, and recommend orthotics for proper support. If you have developed foot pain from running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional running injury prevention tips. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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