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Wednesday, 05 March 2025 00:00

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Tuesday, 04 March 2025 00:00

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, intense pain, typically in the big toe. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the body, forming crystals in the joints. This leads to swelling, redness, and extreme tenderness. Gout attacks often come on suddenly and can cause the affected joint to feel hot, swollen, and stiff, making even the slightest touch unbearable. A podiatrist can help manage gout by assessing the severity of the attack and offering treatment to reduce pain and inflammation. This type of doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medication to ease the symptoms. Lifestyle changes, like adjusting diet and managing weight, are also essential in preventing future flare-ups. In some cases, a podiatrist might suggest custom orthotics to provide relief while walking. If you experience recurring pain or have swelling in your toe joints, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat gout.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact the podiatrists from New England Family Foot Care. 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 Milton, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Gout
Tuesday, 25 February 2025 00:00

Pain on the top of the foot can result from several factors, often involving strain or injury. One common cause is a condition known as extensor tendinitis, where the tendons responsible for lifting the foot become inflamed from overuse. Stress fractures, particularly in the metatarsal bones, can also lead to pain in this area, often caused by repetitive impact or sudden increases in physical activity. Another cause may be nerve irritation or compression, as in the case of a pinched nerve. Wearing poorly fitting or tight footwear can contribute to discomfort by putting excessive pressure on the top of the foot. Additionally, conditions like arthritis or gout may cause swelling and pain in this region. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with the podiatrists from New England Family Foot Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 18 February 2025 00:00

Lateral ligament injuries occur when the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are stretched or torn, often due to a sudden twist, fall, or awkward landing. These injuries are common in athletes, especially those involved in sports requiring quick direction changes, such as basketball, soccer, pickleball, and tennis. However, anyone can experience a lateral ligament injury from an unexpected misstep or walking on uneven ground. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, pain, and instability in the ankle. Mild sprains may heal with rest, compression, and elevation, while more severe tears might require bracing or targeted exercises to restore strength and flexibility. Without proper treatment, repeated injuries can lead to chronic instability and long-term weakness. Strengthening exercises, balance training, and wearing supportive footwear can help prevent recurrence. If pain persists or instability affects movement, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and a tailored recovery plan.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with the podiatrists from New England Family Foot Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

 

Read more about Various Causes of Ankle Pain
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