Items filtered by date: December 2020

Pregnancy is a joyous but challenging period, with an increased risk of falls affecting approximately one-third of expectant mothers. To reduce this risk, pregnant women may want to avoid slippery surfaces, use stair rails, opt for flatter shoes, and move at a measured pace. Engaging in regular physical activities, such as yoga or walking, has consistently shown to reduce the likelihood of falls. Research underscores the significance of maintaining ankle stiffness to prevent falls during pregnancy. A recent study revealed that women in their third trimester face challenges with postural equilibrium, detected through stability tests. Wearing a maternity support belt emerges as a practical solution, as it helps to enhance balance and reduce fall risk, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. In addition to these measures, maintaining a well-balanced diet and staying adequately hydrated contributes to overall health during pregnancy. Adequate fluid intake helps prevent dizziness and promotes joint flexibility, which further reduces the risk of accidental falls. By incorporating these lifestyle adjustments, expectant mothers can navigate the physical changes of pregnancy more safely and enjoy a healthier and stable journey into motherhood. For help in dealing with falls during pregnancy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Leonard Talarico, DPM from Georgia. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

Clubfoot, or talipes equinovarus, is a congenital birth defect where the foot and ankle are misshapen or misaligned. It typically presents as a downward and inward turn of the hindfoot and ankle, with inward twisting of the forefoot. The two types of clubfoot are positional clubfoot, caused by unusual positioning in the uterus, and true clubfoot, a structural malformation from developmental errors in the womb. True clubfoot often involves underdeveloped leg or foot bones or calf muscles. Treatment varies, including immobilization with casts or physical therapy for positional clubfoot and complex surgery for true clubfoot. If your newborn has clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist immediately to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Leonard Talarico, DPM of Georgia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Pain on the top of the foot can be a perplexing and uncomfortable experience, often arising from various underlying factors. One common culprit is overuse or repetitive strain, especially in activities that involve extensive flexing of the foot. Wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear may compress the nerves and tendons on the top of the foot, leading to discomfort. Traumatic injuries, such as fractures or contusions, also can cause localized pain on the top of the foot. Inflammation of tendons or ligaments due to conditions like tendonitis or arthritis may also contribute to this discomfort. Additionally, stress fractures, particularly in the metatarsal bones, can manifest as persistent top-of-foot pain. Nerve compression or entrapment, such as with conditions like Morton's neuroma, can be another source of discomfort. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, highlighting the importance of consulting with a podiatrist who can identify and address the specific cause of top-of-foot pain. If you have pain in the top of your foot, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with this type of doctor who can offer you the correct treatment methods.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Leonard Talarico, DPM from Georgia. Our doctor 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 Pooler, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A plantar fibroma is a benign nodule that develops in the arch of the foot, specifically within the plantar fascia, the tissue band extending from the heel to the toes. Those with a plantar fibroma often notice a firm lump in the arch of their foot, which can either stay consistent in size or grow slowly over time. This lump often leads to discomfort or pain, particularly when walking, standing, or applying pressure to the foot, such as when wearing shoes. The pain is usually due to the fibroma pressing against the footwear or ground. As a result, individuals might experience changes in their walking pattern and such changes can further affect overall foot function and comfort. If you think you have a plantar fibroma, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Leonard Talarico, DPM of Georgia. Our doctor 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 Pooler, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.