The feet are the foundation of our bodies and while supporting our weight, they are also essential for mobility. Because of this, any foot-related issue should be addressed by a podiatrist. Common foot conditions a podiatrist can help with include athlete’s foot, bunions, hammertoes, corns, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis or heel pain, and foot blisters. Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that thrives between the toes or on the bottom of the feet that results in itching, burning, or scaling of the skin. Bunions are painful bumps that usually develop at the site of the big toe joint and cause the big toe to bend towards the smaller toes. Ingrown toenails occur as the nail grows into the sides of the nail bed. The skin around the affected toenail is typically swollen, red, painful, and can become infected. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This is a result of the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becoming inflamed or torn. Patients who are suffering from any foot-related problem should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact the foot specialists from Affiliates in Foot Care, P.C.. 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 Woburn, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The feet are a very complicated part of the body and have 26 bones and hundreds of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Because of this complexity, as well as the fact that the feet support the body, taking care of the feet and keeping them healthy is very important. Common ailments that affect the feet include athlete’s foot, neuromas, bunions, plantar warts, fungal toenail infections, hammertoes, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, and blisters. Diabetic patients are also at an increased risk for developing various foot related problems, particularly ulcers. Because of this, diabetic patients should regularly visit a podiatrist in order to keep their feet healthy. Athletes are also prone to a variety of foot-related injuries, and wearing the proper footwear is very important to keep the feet healthy. If you are dealing with any issues in your feet, a podiatrist will be able to help you fix and maintain your feet to keep them at their healthiest and strongest.  

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact the foot specialists from Affiliates in Foot Care, P.C.. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Ingrown toenails are a common and sometimes painful condition in which the edges of a nail grow into the surrounding skin instead of over it. This leads to tenderness, swelling, redness, and pain. In some cases, the area can even become infected. One of the main causes of ingrown toenails is trimming the toenails incorrectly. When you trim your toenails, you should use a nail clipper rather than scissors. Trim the nails straight across and not too short. Though it may be tempting for aesthetic reasons, do not round the edges of your toenails with clippers, scissors, or a nail file. Rounded edges make ingrown nails more likely. To complement your properly trimmed toenails, wear comfortable shoes with a wide toe box. Tight, narrow, or pointy-toed shoes can squish the toes together and push the nails into the surrounding skin. To learn more about how to prevent ingrown toenails, please speak with a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact the foot specialists of Affiliates in Foot Care, P.C.. 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 Woburn, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

As a child grows, having properly fitting footwear is important for the development of their feet. When choosing shoes for your child there are a few things that can be implemented to ensure their shoes fit properly. Since our feet are largest at the end of the day, shopping in the evening will help to make sure the shoes aren’t too tight. Measure your child's feet when they are standing and bearing their full weight, and be sure to measure and fit the shoes with the socks your child intends to wear with the shoes. It is also important to check that there is enough room for your child to wiggle their toes in the shoes and that the heel fits snug. Lastly, your child should walk in the shoes before purchasing them and they should immediately feel comfortable. If you have any questions about making sure your child’s shoes fit properly, a podiatrist will be able to help and make the best recommendations.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact the foot specialists of Affiliates in Foot Care, P.C.. 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 Woburn, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.