Caring for diabetic feet is essential to avoid complications like infections or ulcers. Begin by inspecting your feet daily for cuts, blisters, or changes in color, especially if you have reduced sensation due to neuropathy. Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap, ensuring thorough drying, particularly between toes. Moisturize to prevent cracking, but avoid applying lotion between the toes to minimize infection risk. Wear well-fitting, protective shoes and socks designed for diabetic patients to reduce pressure and prevent injuries. Trim toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails. Control blood sugar levels to enhance circulation and promote healing. Avoid walking barefoot, even at home, to prevent unnoticed injuries. If you have diabetes and foot issues arise or are in need of  preventive guidance, it is suggested that you schedule regular check-ups with a podiatrist. This foot specialist can assess your foot health, offer personalized advice, and help you maintain optimal care.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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.

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, occur when the skin surrounding the heels becomes dry, thickened, and inflamed. One common cause of cracked heels is diabetes, where poor circulation and nerve damage lead to dry skin and a higher risk of infections. Diabetic heel fissures are often more severe due to decreased sensitivity in the feet, which can prevent individuals from noticing wounds early. Other causes include prolonged standing, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or having flat feet, which increase pressure on the heels. Symptoms of cracked heels include pain, redness, swelling, and visible cracks or splits in the skin, sometimes accompanied by bleeding or infection. If you have diabetes and have developed cracked heels, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment therapies.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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.

Flat feet, also known as pes planus, occur when the arches of the feet are absent or collapse, causing the entire sole to touch the ground when standing. Flat feet may lead to discomfort in the feet, ankles, or toes, and can sometimes affect balance or mobility. They also may result from undeveloped arches in childhood, injuries, or conditions that weaken the tendons and ligaments in the feet. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty standing on the ball of the foot. Treatment options vary based on severity. Podiatrists often recommend custom orthotics to provide arch support, improve foot alignment, and relieve pressure on the joints. In some cases, immobilization with a brace or boot may help reduce strain on the affected area. For severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reconstruct the arch or adjust bone alignment. A podiatrist can assess the severity of your condition and determine the proper path to recovery. If you have problematic flat feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling. In more severe cases, the area may become infected, with pus or drainage present. The condition often affects the big toe and can make walking or wearing shoes difficult. The most common causes of ingrown toenails are improper nail trimming, wearing tight shoes, or trauma to the toe. Other factors, such as poor foot hygiene, abnormal nail growth, or hereditary factors, can also contribute to the condition. Treatment options for ingrown toenails vary depending on severity. In mild cases, soaking the foot and properly trimming the nail may provide relief. In more severe or recurring cases, a podiatrist may need to perform a procedure to remove part of the nail or realign it to prevent future issues. If you are struggling with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to receive expert care and effective treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact the podiatrists of Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right 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.

Ankle fusion surgery, also known as ankle arthrodesis, involves fusing the bones in the ankle to alleviate chronic pain, often caused by severe arthritis. By removing damaged cartilage and stabilizing the bones with screws or other hardware, this surgery eliminates joint movement while reducing pain significantly. However, the resulting lack of joint mobility may affect activities that require flexibility in the ankle. Benefits of ankle fusion surgery include substantial pain relief and potential reduction in the need for pain medications. However, long-term risks include altered gait mechanics, increased stress on surrounding joints, and the possibility of complications like infection or bone healing issues. Also, recovery from fusion surgery often requires weeks of immobilization and exercises to restore strength and functionality. A podiatrist can evaluate whether ankle fusion surgery is suitable for you, guide your recovery, and manage complications or biomechanical adjustments. If you have chronic ankle pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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.