Wearing the right shoes for work may help to prevent potential injuries. Footwear for work can vary and can depend on the type of job that is being done. Falling, rolling, or crushing hazards can require safety-toe shoes to be worn, and may have to meet specific performance standards. The instep can be protected against injury when metatarsal guards, made from aluminum, steel, or plastic, are strapped to the outside of work shoes. If wet floors or flooding is a concern in the workplace, rubber overshoes can be worn, which may also be helpful while standing on concrete. Outside environments may require the employee to wear overshoes or shoes that have studded treads that can protect against slippery surfaces. There are several types of work shoes that are available, and if you would like additional information about which ones to buy, it is suggested to speak with a podiatrist who can guide you toward making the correct choice.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Gout is an inflammatory condition that causes extreme pain in the joints and is particularly common in the big toe. Patients with gout suffer from hyperuricemia, an overabundance of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid then crystallizes, forming sharp, short needles that settle in the joint and cause extreme pain. Anyone can suffer from gout, but it is more common among men over the age of 30. Risk factors for gout are genetics, alcohol use, and a diet rich in foods that contain a high level of purines. These include red meat, seafood, and beverages made with alcohol or large amounts of sugar. The top indicator of gout in the big toe is severe pain. This may come on suddenly and typically occurs at night. The intense pain can linger for days. Swelling, tenderness, and redness are also hallmarks of gout. The skin on the toe may begin to peel and then become itchy and flaky. It also may begin to feel hot to the touch. In some cases, a low-grade fever develops, along with flu-like symptoms. If you believe you may have gout in the big toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer treatment options.  

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . 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 Boca Raton, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Children’s health is a significant concern for parents, as it should be. The health of children’s feet is no exception. Children under age two commonly walk on the balls of their feet instead of with their heels touching the ground. This is known as toe walking. Most children will graduate from this gait pattern and walk heel-to-toe. If a child continues to walk this way, they might develop tight calf muscles, and walking in a typical way will become harder to learn. There is no known reason why a child may prefer to walk on their toes past young toddler age. However, if a youngster has certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, a spinal cord abnormality, or autism, this way of walking is more likely. To rule out any reasons for concern if your child toe walks, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can do an examination and discuss anything of significance.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

A walking abnormality is when the walking gait is abnormal in some way. Diseases, injuries, or genetic factors may contribute to an abnormal walking pattern. Altered walking can further cause harm to muscles, bones, and nerves in the lower extremities and rest of the body. Depending on the severity of the walking abnormality, and how long it endures, different treatments are suggested. Walking abnormally can present itself as walking with the head and neck thrust forward, and walking with the legs bent. Additionally, it may be evident as the knees and thighs cross over each other in a scissor-like fashion, or the feet may drag while walking. Even a limp is considered to be a walking abnormality. If you find that your gait is altered and you do not know why, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis so you can be on the road to recovery.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

The cuboid bone is located on the outside of the foot and is one of seven tarsal bones. Cuboid syndrome occurs when this bone partially dislocates, which can happen from an injury. An ankle sprain may cause the peroneal muscles to put excess pressure on this tarsal bone, leading to pain and discomfort. An effective treatment method may include performing specific types of stretches that can help to loosen tight peroneal muscles. Additionally, the bone may be manipulated back into its normal position, and it may help to pad and tape the foot for extra stability. Many patients find getting a deep tissue massage can relax the calf and peroneal muscle, which can eliminate pressure on the cuboid bone. If you have endured an injury, and have pain on the outside of your foot, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat cuboid syndrome. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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