Items filtered by date: June 2023

Having a corn on the foot can become quite painful, but luckily is easy to prevent. A foot corn is a thickening of the skin on the toes or on the bottom of the foot. It is usually the result of excessive pressure on the skin, often caused by improperly fitting shoes. While a corn itself is not painful, when it rubs against a nerve or bone in the toe or foot, it can become irritated and inflamed. Besides wearing shoes that are too tight, other causes of corns are seams in the shoes, hammertoes, bunions, and gait abnormalities. The most effective way to prevent corns is to change the type of footwear you buy. Once a corn has developed, finding ways to ease the pressure while wearing shoes is paramount. Shoes with ample room for the toes to move in and wearing corn pads can be effective in accomplishing this. Patients who have foot deformities may wish to investigate the benefits of having custom orthotics made that may help to prevent the ongoing formation of corns. For more information on managing corns on the feet, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist 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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Wearing the right shoes for work may help to prevent potential injuries. Footwear for work can vary and can depend on the type of job that is being done. Falling, rolling, or crushing hazards can require safety-toe shoes to be worn, and may have to meet specific performance standards. The instep can be protected against injury when metatarsal guards, made from aluminum, steel, or plastic, are strapped to the outside of work shoes. If wet floors or flooding is a concern in the workplace, rubber overshoes can be worn, which may also be helpful while standing on concrete. Outside environments may require the employee to wear overshoes or shoes that have studded treads that can protect against slippery surfaces. There are several types of work shoes that are available, and if you would like additional information about which ones to buy, it is suggested to speak with a podiatrist who can guide you toward making the correct choice.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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.

Gout is an inflammatory condition that causes extreme pain in the joints and is particularly common in the big toe. Patients with gout suffer from hyperuricemia, an overabundance of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid then crystallizes, forming sharp, short needles that settle in the joint and cause extreme pain. Anyone can suffer from gout, but it is more common among men over the age of 30. Risk factors for gout are genetics, alcohol use, and a diet rich in foods that contain a high level of purines. These include red meat, seafood, and beverages made with alcohol or large amounts of sugar. The top indicator of gout in the big toe is severe pain. This may come on suddenly and typically occurs at night. The intense pain can linger for days. Swelling, tenderness, and redness are also hallmarks of gout. The skin on the toe may begin to peel and then become itchy and flaky. It also may begin to feel hot to the touch. In some cases, a low-grade fever develops, along with flu-like symptoms. If you believe you may have gout in the big toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer treatment options.  

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Children’s health is a significant concern for parents, as it should be. The health of children’s feet is no exception. Children under age two commonly walk on the balls of their feet instead of with their heels touching the ground. This is known as toe walking. Most children will graduate from this gait pattern and walk heel-to-toe. If a child continues to walk this way, they might develop tight calf muscles, and walking in a typical way will become harder to learn. There is no known reason why a child may prefer to walk on their toes past young toddler age. However, if a youngster has certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, a spinal cord abnormality, or autism, this way of walking is more likely. To rule out any reasons for concern if your child toe walks, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can do an examination and discuss anything of significance.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, 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.

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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.