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The condition plantar fasciitis exists when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. It is the band of tissue that is found on the bottom of the foot that can become torn or damaged from a foot injury. Additionally, it may happen from standing for most of the day, or from frequently walking on hard surfaces. Many people experience general foot pain with plantar fasciitis, and the foot may feel stiff and tender. It is beneficial to adjust daily living activities, and to temporarily stop doing what caused the pain. There are patients who find mild relief when specific foot exercises and stretches are performed, in addition to possibly wearing orthotics in their shoes. In severe cases, surgery may be a necessary option to repair the damaged portion of tissue. If you have heel pain, please confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose plantar fasciitis, and offer you correct treatment advice.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. 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 the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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.

Although having smelly feet is not always necessarily cause for serious concern, bad-smelling feet can be bothersome. If your child is complaining about their feet producing a foul odor, there are several things that you need to be aware of. The odor that is being emitted from your child’s feet is caused by bacteria. After your child spends a whole day sweating in a pair of sneakers, for instance, that sweat facilitates the multiplication of bacteria. If your child is not wearing socks, typically this only exacerbates the extent to which the bacteria can grow in your child’s shoes. In certain cases, your child’s shoes might even be home to a type of bacteria named Kyetococcus sedentarius. This bacteria can produce especially foul odors because they release volatile sulfur compounds. If you are concerned about your child’s smelly feet, be sure that they wash their feet and wear a new, clean pair of socks every day and alternate shoes regularly, especially if they get wet or sweaty. See a podiatrist for more ways in which you can protect the health of your child’s feet.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact the podiatrists of Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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.

When the toe joints become out of balance a condition known as hammertoe may develop. This is considered to be a deformity and can happen from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely. The joints in the toes become affected and can bend downward, resembling a hammer. Additionally, genetic reasons may cause this condition to occur, where there is an imbalance in the tendons. An injury to the toes may cause a hammertoe to develop and many times corns and calluses form on top of the bent toes. Research has indicated that is important to wear shoes that fit correctly. A shoe that fits well has enough space between the longest toe and the top of the shoe, ensuring the toe will not touch that part of the shoe. Flexible hammertoe generally happens in the beginning stages of this ailment. This is noticeable because the toes can still be straightened despite being in a fixed position. When the toes are unable to straighten this is classified as rigid hammertoe, and surgery may be necessary to correct it. If you notice signs of hammertoe, please consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward the correct treatment techniques.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the podiatrists from Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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.

Corns are hard, callus-like growths that can develop on your feet. They usually develop in response to repeated pressure applied to a point on the foot, usually from ill-fitting or tight footwear. If you have corns on your feet, you should consult with a podiatrist to address the problem in the best possible way. In some cases, you might be able to remove the corn with a few at-home remedies. However, those with diabetes, circulatory disorders, and certain other conditions should never attempt to treat a corn by themselves. The most common way to remove corns involves soaking the feet in warm water for approximately ten minutes. This is done to soften the affected skin on the feet. After this step, you may be able to gently file down the outer layers of the corn by using a pumice stone or an emery board. However, it is important not to file excessively because you might end up injuring the deeper layers of the skin. There are also a variety of over-the-counter products that you might find useful in attempting to remove the corn on your feet. For example, you can use products such as lotions or scrubs that contain salicylic acid. This acid works to break down the corn. When in doubt, it is best to contact a trusted podiatrist who can help you determine the best way for the corn to be removed.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists of Boston Common Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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.