You should always make sure you are wearing proper footwear for whichever activity you are about to engage in. Hiker Marci Hansen recalls her experience going hiking with a friend: “I would step on a wet root and it was not even a thing, and she would really slip and fall.” She explains that the difference between her friend and herself is that she came prepared with the right shoes required to go hiking. The cause of her friend’s injuries was the fact that she wore shoes that were not made to endure the wet and uneven surfaces. If you are planning on going hiking, tread is one of the most important things you should look for when shoe shopping. Shoes that are sturdy enough to go hiking will help protect you from injuries that can easily be avoided.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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 and ankle needs.

Diabetic foot refers to the set of diseases that may affect the feet as a result of diabetes mellitus. While also having diabetes, a person may develop diabetic foot by wearing improper footwear, smoking tobacco, having a pre-existing foot infection, or chronic nerve damage. According to Mayo Clinic, diabetic foot may decrease one’s ability to feel a variety of sensations. Some of these feelings include the ability to sense pain, temperature and cramps. A person with diabetic foot may also have a loss of balance and coordination, as well as serious podiatric issues such as ulcers and infections.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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 and ankle needs.

Ankles are an important part of the human body's structure, since they provide the flexibility needed to walk. An ankle sprain occurs when there is a tear in the ligament. These tears can either be mild and result in a mild sprain, or they can be severe and cause a more serious sprain. Ankle sprains can happen to anyone regardless of age, and they can occur while performing any everyday activity. If you are suffering from a mild sprain, it is advised that you follow the RICE method, which stands for Rest, Ice, Elevation, and Compression. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to treat minor cases of ankle sprains.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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 and ankle needs.

Several members of  Sri Lanka’s cricket team have been revealed to be suffering from flat feet. A podiatrist was sent to the team to discover why so many of them were suffering from foot related injuries. When the doctor discovered how many of them had flat feet, the connection to the increasing amount of injuries was made. The solution to the issue, according to the podiatrist, would be to, “Get them to wear the right shoes.”

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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 and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis is a surprisingly common condition that causes people to sweat more than usual. While the condition can affect the entire body, it can also be limited to certain areas such as the feet. In regards to the condition, a private doctor in the UK states, “Unfortunately it is still not known why some people suffer with sweating more than others. It appears to be that specific glands in these areas are overactive.” Hyperhidrosis can occur to anyone of any age, but at times, puberty can trigger the condition. While sweating itself isn’t a serious health condition, it can play a negative role in your social life. Hyperhidrosis has also been found to trigger feelings of depression and anxiety.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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 and ankle needs.

Some of the most common complaints people have with their feet are pain, ingrown toenails, cracked heels, and fungus. When it comes to foot pain, many people are unaware that flat shoes can be just as bad as high heels. Flats do not offer any support for the foot, which can cause those who wear them to experience a lot of pain. Ingrown toenails are often the result of cutting your nails incorrectly; instead of cutting your nails in a rounded shape, you should cut them straight across. If you are trying to cure your cracked heels, you should know that they are caused by a lack of moisture in the feet. A helpful tip is to always moisturize and treat your feet the same way you would want to treat the skin on your face. If you want to get rid of toenail fungus, you should always treat it in its early stages, instead of letting it progress into something much worse. If you have any questions about any of these common foot issues, you should speak to a podiatrist right away.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 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.

It is very important that you take precautions prior to starting your running routine. Running injuries can happen easily due to running too much too soon, or by wearing the wrong shoes. Poorly fitting running shoes have the potential to cause blisters, corns, and calluses; this is why it is advised to try on your shoes prior to wearing them to make sure they fit properly. When you are looking for a new running shoe it is important that the ball of your foot matches where the shoe bends. Furthermore, you should replace your running shoes on a regular basis. The average life of a running shoe is 350 to 500 miles, but if you are a heavy runner, you may need to replace them even sooner.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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 and ankle needs.

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the inability of the kidneys to eliminate uric acid. When uric acid builds up along with urate in the blood, it forms crystals which can exist in or around the joints. Although diet can play a role in gout development, it is not entirely safe to assume it is the sole reason an individual has the condition. However diet modifications can reduce your risk of a gout attack, and eliminating foods that are very high in purines will help as well. Gout that is left untreated may increase your risk of developing other conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. If you suspect that you may have gout it is important that you seek the assistance of a podiatrist right away.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. 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 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.

Corns and calluses are thickened areas of the skin that appear in areas of high friction and pressure, such as the feet. Corns differ from calluses in that they tend to be smaller with a central core of keratin. Soft corns may form between the toes where skin is usually moist from sweat or inadequate drying. This type of corn appears to be soft and rubbery and is also the result of excessive friction. Some causes of corns include uneven weight distribution, bunions, claw toes, poorly fitting shoes, and arthritis in the feet.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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 and ankle needs.

Running shoe companies are looking to 3D-printing to provide customers with the comfort and customization many runners require in running shoes. A new 3D-printing process, “selective laser sintering,” creates components of a shoe one layer at a time and allows companies to engineer the structure of a shoe, from outsole to midsole. Companies such as Nike, New Balance, and Adidas have used 3D-printing in recent releases. The new process will allow athletic companies to create one-of-a-kind models from the bottom up and to hone in quickly on custom fits for their clients and their running shoe needs.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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 and ankle needs.