The foot is a strong mechanical structure comprising 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. The load on our feet is constant every day and we expect them to take us the distance we want. The heel bone is the starting point of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf and its muscles to the heel. The most common causes of heel pain are overexertion, excessive stretching and ill-fitting shoes.
Heel pain can be due to several causes: plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bursitis, Severs disease and Achilles tendonitis. Pain remitted to other parts of the body may also play a role. Blisters are common foot problems and can be prevented with some extra care. When foot friction is excessive due to constant rubbing, the skin tears just below the skin surface and the liquid rushes in as a protective mechanism, creating a blistering bubble.
The blister is there for good reason: to prevent further skin damage and infection. Do you feel like you have a stone stuck in your shoe, under the sole of your foot? It's probably a neuroma. A neuroma, also known as Morton's neuroma, is a benign cyst that forms on the sole of the foot, between the third and fourth toes. It can be painful enough to prevent you from stepping on your foot.
There are things you can do at home to ease symptoms and minimize recurrence. The 10 most common foot problems we treat at our podiatry clinics. A bunion is a type of bony bulge that forms in the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. Tight shoes and arthritis are some of the causes of bunions, which can lead to stiffness, bone deformities and, in some cases, difficulty for walking.
Sometimes, toenails become infected or ingrown. Podiatrists can address and treat toenail problems and can prescribe a topical ointment. Foot sprains and fractures, which are often the result of a fall or accident, are one of the most common injuries addressed in podiatric medicine. When working with athletes and others who spend a lot of time on their feet, podiatrists can offer recommendations on how to avoid this type of injuries.
In patients who have flat feet, the sole of the foot almost completely meets the ground when the person is standing. For some patients, this condition presents very little difficulty. Other patients with flat feet have problems with the condition. Consulting with a podiatrist while your feet and ankles are still healthy is the best way to avoid paying a much higher price in the future.
Podiatrists who specialize in sports medicine help people who are injured playing sports or doing other physical activities. Wynn Perlick is a podiatrist at South Shore Medical Center in Norwell and is currently accepting new patients. If you have any of the following problems or symptoms, it's time to schedule an appointment to see a podiatrist. If you have any problems related to your feet and ankles, talk to your primary care doctor for a referral to a podiatrist.
A podiatrist, officially known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is trained to treat problems in the foot, ankle and lower leg. In a nutshell, if you answered “yes” to this question, then you should consider seeing a podiatrist. If your child complains of foot or leg pain, your primary care doctor may recommend that you take him to a pediatric podiatrist. A podiatrist, sometimes fondly referred to as a “foot doctor,” is a medical specialist who has been trained to treat medical problems of the lower extremities.
Some of the medical conditions that podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, arthritis of the ankles and feet, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungi, fractures and sprains. Podiatrists may also choose to become certified in specialized areas such as orthopedics, primary care, or surgery. This intricate, highly developed structure needs some regular care, and with so many parts that work, a regular visit to the podiatrist is a good investment for long-term foot strength and health. If you have chronic pain in your foot, ankle, or lower leg, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you're seeking medical help, a podiatrist can evaluate your condition and develop a treatment plan.
