Items filtered by date: May 2023

A walking abnormality is when the walking gait is abnormal in some way. Diseases, injuries, or genetic factors may contribute to an abnormal walking pattern. Altered walking can further cause harm to muscles, bones, and nerves in the lower extremities and rest of the body. Depending on the severity of the walking abnormality, and how long it endures, different treatments are suggested. Walking abnormally can present itself as walking with the head and neck thrust forward, and walking with the legs bent. Additionally, it may be evident as the knees and thighs cross over each other in a scissor-like fashion, or the feet may drag while walking. Even a limp is considered to be a walking abnormality. If you find that your gait is altered and you do not know why, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis so you can be on the road to recovery.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

The cuboid bone is located on the outside of the foot and is one of seven tarsal bones. Cuboid syndrome occurs when this bone partially dislocates, which can happen from an injury. An ankle sprain may cause the peroneal muscles to put excess pressure on this tarsal bone, leading to pain and discomfort. An effective treatment method may include performing specific types of stretches that can help to loosen tight peroneal muscles. Additionally, the bone may be manipulated back into its normal position, and it may help to pad and tape the foot for extra stability. Many patients find getting a deep tissue massage can relax the calf and peroneal muscle, which can eliminate pressure on the cuboid bone. If you have endured an injury, and have pain on the outside of your foot, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat cuboid syndrome. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Ingrown toenails are a foot condition that develops when the toenails essentially grow inward into the skin surrounding the nail. Due to this nail growth, pain, irritation, and redness may result. New parents ought to be aware of this condition because it is possible for babies to suffer from ingrown toenails. Sometimes a baby can develop ingrown toenails if their nails are cut too short, as this can facilitate inward growth of the nail. Parents can prevent the growth of ingrown toenails by being sure not to cut the baby’s toenails in such a way that looks curved in shape. If you think that your baby might be suffering from an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment to see a podiatrist. This foot specialist can examine your baby's feet and provide any treatment that might be necessary to care for the condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many people who enjoy running are aware of the need to prevent running injuries. An injury can affect the feet, and can interfere with running enjoyment. There are various types of running, ranging from relieving stress by jogging several minutes per day to training for a marathon. Stretching before and after running is beneficial in injury prevention, and it is worth the few minutes it takes to do this. Calf stretches are easy to perform, and they can help to protect the heel and Achilles tendon. This is done by standing on a step while lowering one heel at a time until a gentle stretch is felt. Performing lateral lunges may help to strengthen the glutes, and this is accomplished by standing up while shifting the weight toward one foot, and allowing the knee to bend. If you would like additional information about various running injury prevention methods, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors 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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle surgery may be performed if the ankle has been severely injured, or if there is existing arthritis or torn ligaments. Ankle fusion is a type of surgery that has increased dramatically in recent years. This may follow any conservative treatments that may have failed, leaving surgery as the only option. A displaced ankle fracture may require a closed reduction procedure to be performed. This is done by aligning the bones from the outside of the ankle, which may produce severe pain during the procedure. If the bones cannot be manipulated from the outside, an open reduction can be done that uses screws or plates. This may be a common type of surgery among patients who have ankle instability. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can determine if having ankle surgery is right for you. 

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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