Items filtered by date: December 2022

The medical term for the foot condition that is referred to as clubfoot is congenital talipes equinovarus. The abbreviation for this is CTEV, and the noticeable symptom seen is the feet turned inward at the ankle. There are two categories of clubfoot, postural and structural. A postural CTEV consists of muscle imbalance without involving the joints and bones. A child who has clubfoot that does not have full range of motion in their feet is afflicted with structural CTEV. The majority of babies who have this congenital foot disorder may not have complications until walking begins. At that point, a walking disorder will be evident, and there may be foot pain. Many parents are aware their child may have clubfoot during the pregnancy, when an ultrasound is taken. Steps can be taken soon after birth to correct this condition. If your child has clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that he or she is under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to determine the correct steps for recovery.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. 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 Fort Worth, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Wounds on the feet can happen for various reasons. Toe injuries, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or having diabetes may all contribute to having foot wounds. Diabetic patients can develop neuropathy, and they especially need to be careful of wounds that develop on the feet. This is the inability to feel cuts and scrapes on the feet, and an infection can easily occur. This can lead to getting a foot ulcer, and it is important that immediate medical treatment is sought. A podiatrist will remove dead skin that has formed, which is known as debridement. This is followed by dressing the wound, and antibiotics are often prescribed. Many times, the patient will wear special footwear which may include a boot or custom made orthotics. Diabetes occurs as a result of elevated blood sugar levels, and may be controlled by the foods that are eaten. This may help to reduce the recurrence of wounds on the feet, and regular visits with a podiatrist are strongly suggested. If you have a wound on your foot, please consult with this type of doctor who can treat existing foot wounds, and help you to manage diabetes. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Jon McCreary, DPM from Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

A bunion can be unsightly. It is a bony protrusion that forms on the side of the big toe, and a severe bunion can cause the other toes to shift toward each other. It is a common foot deformity and affects women more than men. A callus may form on top of the bunion as it touches the shoe, and larger shoes may need to be purchased for a better fit. A bunion generally develops gradually, and it may form because of the shoes that are worn. Wearing high heels frequently can cause a bunion to grow and this may be due to the limited amount of room in the toe box. Medical conditions such as arthritis and flat feet may contribute to the development of a bunion. Some patients may be more at risk from genetic factors. Some of the symptoms that are often associated with bunions can include chronic toe pain, redness, and the bump may be shiny. Relief may be found when the symptoms are managed, the shoes are changed, or custom-made orthotics are worn. If you have a bunion, it is strongly urged that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer treatment options which may include surgery for permanent removal.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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

Surfing injuries commonly affect the ankles. Injuries due to surfing are often caused by forceful landings, particularly by new or competitive surfers practicing complex aerial maneuvers. To prevent such injuries, strengthening the feet and ankles is recommended. In addition to preventing injuries, strengthening the lower extremities will aid in improving overall surfing performance. Using a rail-to-rail surf balance board is a way of strengthening the ankles in a controlled way. Standing heel raises are an easy way to strengthen ankles and feet and can be done anywhere. Sand walking also can help increase strength for surfing. If you are a surfer and have sustained a foot or ankle injury or want additional suggestions for preventing such harm, consult with a podiatrist today.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Jon McCreary, DPM of Fort Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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