Blog

January 2023

Perfectly Imperfect Feet

Pregnant parents look forward to counting their baby's 10 perfect fingers and toes. Anything else is rare, but it does happen. Fairly common is seeing a newborn baby’s feet point in opposite directions. This can be due to the baby being squished in the small womb. Other times it can result from the child’s development or as part of a genetic condition. The two most commonly seen foot deformities in newborns are metatarsus adductus and calcaneovalgus. Both involve the baby’s foot positioning and how they were molded inside the womb. These conditions usually improve without treatment and do not cause long-term problems. However, there are more serious congenital disorders of the feet that do require treatment. If you know your child will be born with any kind of foot deformity or discover this at birth, see a podiatrist as soon as possible to have your baby’s feet examined and to obtain suggestions or treatment needed.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact the podiatrists of Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

  • Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
  • Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
  • Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
  • Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
  • Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
  • Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Read more about Congenital Foot Problems

Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Blisters Are the Body’s Natural Response

A blister is the body’s response to protecting skin that has become damaged. It is defined as a small bubble that forms over raw skin, which is filled with a protective fluid and will gradually drain when new skin has formed. The skin can become damaged for various reasons, including excessive friction from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly or from medical conditions. These can consist of eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions to an insect bite or chemical use. The blister can be protected with a covering while completing daily activities. If a blister is popped prematurely, a new blister may form while the skin underneath it heals completely. Many blisters on the feet can be prevented by choosing shoes and socks that fit correctly. Additionally, it may be beneficial to apply a foot deodorant or powder on the feet to help control sweating as this may also lead to blisters. If you have blisters on your feet, please ask a podiatrist for more information on how to treat and prevent them.

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.

Read more about Blisters

Foot Conditions May Develop in Older Adults

Foot conditions may increase as people grow older. This is often the result of reduced fat pads that act as shock absorbers, possibly leading to plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Additional ailments that affect the feet that are prevalent among the elderly include toenail fungus, arthritis, and hammertoe. These may affect the foot structure and may cause the foot to look deformed. A sense of independence may be compromised, and the feet may develop a reduced range of motion. Many foot conditions in seniors can be remedied by choosing shoes that fit correctly and having routine podiatry visits. A podiatrist can correctly trim the toenails and detect uncomfortable conditions such as Morton’s neuroma, peripheral artery disease, and foot ulcers in diabetic patients. If you have questions about possible conditions that can happen to the feet as the aging process occurs, please confer with a podiatrist who can accurately address any concerns you may have.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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.

Read more about Elderly and their Feet

What Is a Sports Podiatrist?

A podiatrist, also known as a DPM, is a foot specialist that can identify and treat a wide range of different afflictions of the feet. These doctors are specially trained in caring for the feet and have highly specific and specialized knowledge of this area of the human body. Many podiatrists specialize in treating various groups of patients. For example, some podiatrists only treat those in the service. Additionally, some sports podiatrists specialize in treating athletes. These podiatrists are intimately familiar with the intricacies of sports injuries and how they can affect the feet. For example, a sports podiatrist can easily identify how particular injuries from participating in sports can impact the feet. These podiatrists will be able to predict and understand how susceptible an athlete is to particular foot conditions. Sports podiatrists can also make helpful suggestions about which kind of shoe should be worn by their patients to avoid or mitigate foot injuries. If you are an athlete, schedule an appointment with a sports podiatrist today. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to 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 a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Drugs
  • Orthotic inserts or soles
  • Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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.

Read more about What is a Podiatrist?

It's Time for Beautiful Feet

You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.

Towels and Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is primarily caused by a fungal infection. Athlete’s foot can produce a scaly rash of some kind, often producing itching sensations. Athlete’s foot can be spread in highly-trafficked public areas such as the sides of public pools and locker rooms. Importantly, however, athlete’s foot can be spread through using towels. If an individual with athlete’s foot uses a towel after taking a shower and then an uninfected person uses the towel, the second person will have a high risk of developing athlete’s foot. Therefore, if you live with someone, it might be a good idea to have separate towels for each individual to avoid this dilemma. It might also be useful to make a point of cleaning the towels every day. This can help ensure that the athlete’s foot is not being unnecessarily spread. Contact a podiatrist today for more information.  

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

  • Hydrate your feet by using lotion
  • Exfoliate
  • Buff off nails
  • Use of anti-fungal products
  • Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are 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 and ankle needs.

Read more about How to Deal with Athlete's Foot
scroll to top