Items filtered by date: August 2022

The accessory navicular is an extra bone or piece of cartilage on the inner side of the foot, just above the arch. This is congenital, or present at birth. Most people do not have this as it is not part of the normal bone structure. People who have this condition are often unaware that they have it, especially if it does not cause problems. However, some people with this extra bone develop accessory navicular syndrome, which is painful. The pain comes from aggravation to the bone or posterior tibial tendon that can come from trauma (like a foot or ankle sprain), chronic irritation (from friction from shoes rubbing against the extra bone), or prolonged activity or overuse. Many of those with this affliction also have flat feet or fallen arches. Having flat feet puts more strain on the posterior tibial tendon, and this can cause inflammation or irritation of the accessory navicular. Symptoms of this syndrome usually appear in adolescence when the bones are mature and cartilage develops into bone. Signs and symptoms of this condition include a visible bony prominence with redness or swelling on the inside of the foot, just above the arch, and a vague pain or throbbing in the midfoot and arch areas, usually after periods of activity. If you or your child have pain in this area of the foot, please see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. 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 Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Many individuals who take their health seriously make a special effort to look after the state of their feet on a daily basis. Having some sort of everyday foot care routine can be a very helpful way to maintain healthy feet and prevent complications from arising. There is certainly no shortage of recommended things to incorporate into your foot care routine. However, equally important are things to avoid doing every day that could negatively impact the health of your feet. First, you might avoid ignoring any pain or problems in your feet. Sometimes, you might feel tempted to dismiss any discomfort that could arise in your feet. However, it can be better to have a medical professional, such as a podiatrist, examine your feet when you notice anything abnormal. Second, you usually ought not to wear the same pair of shoes and socks day after day. When an individual fails to alternate their shoes and socks, it becomes very easy for bacteria, odors, and infections to take hold. Additionally, the sweat that accumulates when one fails to alternate shoes and socks can cause complications. These are just some of the many things that most people ought to avoid as part of their everyday foot care routine. For more information, please contact your podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor 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 Dayton, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Research has indicated that children may have a heightened sense of awareness of their surroundings when they frequently walk barefoot. They may be able to notice a sharp object on the ground quicker than if they were wearing shoes, for fear of stepping on it. Many parents are concerned about spreading germs if their child walks barefoot outside, but disease is more apt to spread by hands than feet. Shoes have been known to hold bacteria and moisture, which can lead to athlete’s foot. Additionally, it is said when our feet touch the earth, our bodies pick up negative electrons. This may be instrumental in offsetting the large amount of positive electrons that can come from electronic devices. There are pressure points in the feet which are connected to nerve endings. When children do not wear shoes while walking on dirt and playing outside, the entire nervous system can be stimulated. The muscles in the feet typically become stronger when shoes are not worn as the toes grip the earth. If you have questions or concerns about the benefits of your child walking outside without shoes, please confer with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM of Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

The medical name for a plantar wart is called verruca. This type of wart is located on the bottom of the foot, and it grows inward as a result of standing and walking for most of the day. It can cause severe pain and discomfort, and it may be difficult to complete daily activities. It can develop from contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV), and it is often contagious. The virus can enter the body through small cuts in the skin on the feet, and it is found in places that can include public swimming pools. Additionally, this virus can live on shower room floors and may also be found in locker rooms. These environments are warm and moist and are the perfect area for HPV to live. The wart appears as a small, thick area of skin on the heel or on the bottom of the toes, and it may have tiny black dots in the center. There are several methods of relieving the pain from a plantar wart, and it is advised that you confer with a podiatrist who can discuss proper treatment techniques with you.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Tanisha Richmond, DPM from Richmond Foot & Ankle, LLC. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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