The arches of the feet play critical roles to the overall health of the body. For example, the arches of the feet can serve as springs, facilitating motion and absorbing shock. However, this important part of the human foot can be negatively impacted during pregnancy. Specifically, the added weight that a pregnant woman gains throughout the pregnancy can put extra pressure on the feet. As a result, the arch may sink to the floor, and the pregnant woman may develop flat feet. This is also compounded by the fact that a pregnant woman’s body releases a hormone called relaxin that facilitates the loosening of the foot’s ligaments. If you are pregnant or are planning to be, it is strongly suggested that you contact a podiatrist today who can provide you with useful information regarding the health of your feet during this time.

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 one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors 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 West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The forefoot is the front part of the foot that contains ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, metatarsal bones, and phalanges. The metatarsal bones are the five long bones between the toe bones, the hindfoot, and the midfoot. There are a variety of conditions that can lead to forefoot pain, including Morton’s neuroma, toe pain, and sesamoiditis. The focus here is on sesamoiditis. Most bones are connected to other bones at joints. Sesamoids are bones embedded in muscle and only connected to tendons. On the bottom of the foot, near the big toe, two small sesamoids help with weight bearing and raising the bones of the big toe. Sesamoiditis happens when these tendons become irritated and inflamed. This is common among runners and dancers. If you suffer from pain in your forefoot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist to determine the cause of the pain, whether it’s sesamoiditis, and how to treat it best.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact one of our podiatrists of DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

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

Though children’s feet may be small, they are complex structures. Taking care of them well early on can set children up for better foot health as they grow older. This is especially important if they play sports. The most important things to tend to in caring for children’s feet are well-fitting footwear, washing and drying feet well, and proper toenail cutting. Shoes that are the right size, comfortable, and appropriate for the activity are crucial to children’s foot health. Similarly, socks should fit well, be made of breathable material, and be changed often. Footwear should not be shared with other children to avoid the spread of infections and viruses that can impact feet, such as athlete’s foot and plantar warts. Kids should be taught to wash their feet thoroughly and dry them well to help prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Kid’s toenails should be cut straight across to ward off ingrown toenails. If you want to set your child up for a lifetime of foot health, particularly if they play sports, it is suggested that you take them to a podiatrist for regular checkups and to learn more about how to properly care for their feet.

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 DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. 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 West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A broken ankle is painful. It can happen from falling and may affect one or more ankle bones. A partial break is considered to be minor, and as the name implies, is not completely cracked. A severely broken ankle happens when the ankle bone breaks in two or more places and can happen on one or both sides of the ankle. The majority of broken ankles require the attention of an expert medical professional, such as a podiatrist. Prior to that, resting and frequently elevating the foot may help to relieve swelling, and it may be helpful to take over-the-counter medicine for pain relief. After a proper diagnosis is performed, which generally consists of having an X-ray taken, treatment can begin. Many people wear a cast or a boot and often use crutches for mobility. During the recovery period, which can last up to 10 weeks, most activities will be temporarily stopped. This may help to give the affected ankle the best chance for a full recovery. If you have broken your ankle, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can properly diagnose and treat it.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

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

Metatarsalgia is the medical name for pain that happens to the ball of the foot. It is found under the toes, on the bottom of the foot. The feet bear the weight of the body, and the soles of the feet are often affected. There are 26 bones in each foot, and they are divided into categories. Additionally, the tendons, muscles, and ligaments comprise the arch of the foot, and the nerves control the sensation in the skin. There are several reasons why many people experience metatarsalgia, or foot pain. These can include obesity, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or specific medical conditions. Morton’s neuroma can happen from wearing shoes that are too tight, such as high heels. This can cause the toes to squeeze together, affecting the nerve that is located between the third and fourth toes. The pain from this condition is often felt in the ball of the foot. A stress fracture can happen to the metatarsal bones in the foot, and it can be felt in the bottom of the foot. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat the condition appropriately. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors 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 West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.