Items filtered by date: October 2022

A growth, or lesion that is found in the arch of the foot may be indicative of a plantar fibroma. It is considered to be benign, and it develops in the thick tissue of the plantar fascia. This is the portion of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and provides stability to the arch. A plantar fibroma generally develops slowly, and may be more prevalent in young adults. There may be existing medical ailments that can cause a plantar fibroma to develop, such as being diabetic, having an alcohol use disorder, or possibly from being an epileptic. The condition that is known as plantar fibromatosis may happen when the lesion begins to get larger, and multiple growths develop on the sole of the foot. Patients may notice pain and discomfort as the fibroma becomes larger, and may worsen when standing for long periods at a time. This is a condition that is treated by a podiatrist, and it is strongly advised that you contact this type of doctor if you are afflicted with this condition.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one our our podiatrists of Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails can be an annoying and potentially painful affliction of the foot. This condition occurs when the side of a toenail essentially grows into the skin of the toe. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be needed to resolve the issue. For example, a surgical procedure might involve removing a part or all of the nail. Sometimes, before a surgical procedure of this kind, you might need to receive local anesthesia to numb the affected toe. Additionally, the procedure may take about an hour in time. Following the operation, your toe might need to be protected with some sort of bandage. The medical professional performing the procedure might then give you instructions on caring for your toe following the operation. If you have a persistent or infected ingrown toenail, contact a podiatrist today for help.

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

The majority of people wear shoes for most of the day, and this may contribute to taking the feet for granted. An effective method in practicing everyday foot care can start by feeling your feet with your hands. At this point, it may become noticeable how complex the feet are, as there are twenty six bones, numerous tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are in each foot. The feet are designed to withstand pressure from the weight of the body, and the skin is harder on the feet than anywhere else. Additionally, the toenails provide protection against shoes and socks. With this stated, the importance of maintaining and practicing everyday foot care becomes clear. Washing and drying the feet thoroughly may be helpful in preventing athlete's foot. This can be an uncomfortable foot condition that may be avoided when proper measures are taken. Ingrown toenails can cause severe pain and discomfort, and trimming the toenails properly may reduce the risk of getting this foot condition. If you would like more information about good everyday foot care practices, please confer with a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. 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 Newtown, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When shoes are purchased in a store, determining the right shoe size is often accomplished by using a Brannock device. This is done by stepping on this metal device, and measuring the length and width of the foot. Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, and it can be difficult to choose shoes that will fit correctly. An effective method in learning what your correct shoe size is can be obtained by standing on a piece of paper, and tracing the foot. It is beneficial to do this at the end of the day, when the feet are at their largest. Many online shopping sites will have conversion charts, which can make it easier to choose the right shoe size. Feet can become swollen during the summer months, and shoes that are purchased may feel bigger during the colder months. If you would like additional information about correct pointers on how to get your right shoe size, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one our our podiatrists from Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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