When babies are born, their feet are generally soft. Proper foot development is essential in developing gross motor skills, such as walking, standing, running, and jumping. The bones typically strengthen under stress, and this is crucial for performing these motor skills. Each foot is made up of 26 bones, which amount to one quarter of the bones in the body. They will continue to develop and strengthen until approximately 18 years of age. Research has shown the feet will grow to half of their adult size in their first year of life, and the flat feet that most babies are born with will gradually develop into a full arch in their teenage years. The toes will develop strength when the toddler can walk barefoot while indoors as often as possible. When it is time to purchase the first pair of shoes for walking outside, it is beneficial that the shoe is made of flexible materials and has a sturdy sole. If you would like additional information about how your child’s feet will develop, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many individuals in the workforce must spend the vast majority of their shift standing on their feet. For example, by nature of their jobs, food servers, hairdressers, retail workers, and others must be on their feet throughout most of the day. This can put these workers at a greater risk of experiencing foot pain and developing bothersome foot conditions. However, if you are one such worker that spends the majority of your day on your feet, there are a number of steps you can take to mitigate any stress or pressure you are exerting on your feet. First, you can be diligent about selecting the right pair of work shoes. Look for shoes or work boots that provide extra support and cushioning, particularly for the arches, ankles, and joints. Additionally, you might also try to find a pair of supportive work socks with a large density of cotton content. This can provide extra support to the insoles of your feet. Lastly, to ensure that you are taking care of your feet while on the clock, you might consider taking twenty minutes or so after every shift to roll out your feet with a cool water bottle. Using this foot care technique will increase blood flow and circulation throughout the foot and reduce any tension in your foot muscles. See a podiatrist for more tips about how you can protect your feet throughout the work day. 

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 New England Foot and Ankle. 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 contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toenails protect the toes. They are made of keratin, which makes them tough and resilient for the daily wear and tear they endure. Various things, including friction from ill-fitting shoes, level of physical activity, some pre-existing health conditions, temperature, and moisture, can affect toenails. Pain, itching, and discoloration are some of the signs of toenail problems. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common toenail problem. It is more apt to affect older people, with half of all people over 70 developing a toenail fungal infection. It can also impact those who walk barefoot in public areas, like pool areas or locker rooms (with warm, dark, and damp conditions), and those who get sweaty feet or have diabetes. As the infection makes its way deeper into the toenail, the nail becomes discolored and thickened. The nail may crumble and become jagged at the edge. The infection can spread to other toenails and surrounding skin. If it oozes a foul-smelling pus, the infection is worse. It is important to see a podiatrist if you feel you have toenail fungus or any other troubling issues with your toenails. They can properly diagnose the problem and discern how it should be treated.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A bruised heel can occur from the force of striking the ground repeatedly while running or jumping. This repeated trauma to the heel can damage blood vessels in the soft tissue and muscles in and around the heel. Even though the skin does not break, a bruised heel, or heel contusion, can result in bleeding under the skin. The pain caused by a bruised heel may respond to heat, ice, or both, and may also be alleviated with rest and elevation. Severely bruised heels may require the care of a podiatrist who can prescribe custom orthotics and shoes, physical therapy, and even prescription-strength medications. It is also important to have a podiatrist examine your injury in order to rule out other possible causes of pain in the heel, such as a fracture or plantar fasciitis. 

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.