People who enjoy hiking often experience blisters on their feet. The most common cause of this ailment is excess friction, and this often occurs from wearing shoes and socks that do not fit correctly. Many hikers choose to wear boots, and it is helpful to break them in before beginning a hike. Wear the boots around your home or work with the socks you intend to hike with, and your feet will thank you later. Keeping the feet as dry as possible may also help in preventing blisters from developing. It is beneficial to pack extra socks, which can be swapped out immediately if the first pair becomes moist or wet. Please confer with a podiatrist if you would like additional tips on how to prevent blisters on the feet.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact the podiatrists of Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

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

The sesamoids are bones that are embedded in a tendon. They are found in several joints in the body. Within the feet, sesamoid bones are located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint. Injuries to the sesamoids can involve the bones, tendons, or surrounding tissues in the joint. There are three main types of sesamoid injuries. Turf toe is an injury of the soft tissue surrounding the big toe joint. A sesamoid fracture is a break in the sesamoid bone, and can be acute or chronic. Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury caused by chronic inflammation of the sesamoid bones and the surrounding tendons. If you have a sesamoid injury, it is recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist who can properly treat your condition.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors 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 Boston, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

One of the first symptoms many patients experience with plantar fasciitis is heel pain. Additionally, discomfort can be felt in the arch area and may be pronounced after standing for extended periods of time throughout the day. This ailment is caused by an inflammation of the plantar fascia and can happen from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that is located on the sole of the foot, and connects the heels to the toes. Patients may find mild relief when the affected foot is massaged, and it may help to wear custom made orthotics. In severe cases, surgery may be a necessary option which may help to permanently relieve the pain. If you have developed plantar fasciitis, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a podiatrist who can provide expert treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that can cause swelling and stiffness in the joints, most commonly affecting the big toe. A common symptom of gout may include sudden flare ups, where the joints of the big toe begin to experience a throbbing, crushing pain. If your joints appear swollen or inflamed, and the skin of the affected area is warm and appears red or purplish, you may be experiencing symptoms of gout as well. Symptoms of gout can generally be managed by certain lifestyle changes as well as medication, however getting this condition diagnosed can sometimes be difficult. If you’re experiencing joint pain, particularly in your big toe, please seek the professional care of a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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