During a woman’s pregnancy, she might experience several different important changes to her feet. For example, the increased weight gained from bearing a growing child can put extra strain on the feet, sometimes causing foot pain. There are several steps that a pregnant woman could consider taking to mitigate her increased foot pain. First, a pregnant woman might drink a good deal of water. Doing this will help reduce the amount of salt in the body, consequently minimizing inflammation in the feet. Also, a pregnant woman could apply ice to the feet if the ankles become exceedingly swollen. Applying ice in short increments to the feet can help bring down the swelling. Lastly, a pregnant woman can make an appointment with a podiatrist to help treat any pain in the feet that she is experiencing. To learn more about mitigating foot pain during pregnancy, make an appointment with a podiatrist today.
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 Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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?
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
When the nerves that transmit messages from the brain to the feet are damaged, the result is a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. The main symptom is numbness, along with tingling, a burning sensation, and sometimes a sharp shooting pain. Among the many causes of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes is at the top of the list. About half of diabetics develop this condition, which is caused by chronic high blood sugar levels. Because of the numbness, diabetics may not notice sores or cuts on their feet that can become ulcerated. Side effects from medication you may be taking is another well-known cause of peripheral neuropathy. Other causes include genetics, inflammatory infection, autoimmune disease, and kidney disease. Excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages is another common cause. Ignoring symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be dangerous to your health. If your feet feel numb on a regular basis, it is wise to seek the counsel of a podiatrist as soon as possible for a full examination and an ongoing program of treatment.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.
Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:
Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.
Treatment
To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.
Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Many people experience foot pain in their lifetime, and it can occur for various reasons. Sudden pain can indicate a foot fracture has happened, and prompt medical attention is often sought. Conversely, foot pain may develop slowly, and can be in the form of aches, tenderness, or the feet may be itchy. Research has shown the feet are often affected in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause the feet to have a limited range of motion. Gout is another condition that often begins with intense foot pain as a result of crystals that form in the joints of the big toe. Patients who do not have an arch are known to have flat feet, and this may possibly cause foot and ankle pain. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat any foot condition.
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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:
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 York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Gout is a foot affliction that is a certain kind of arthritis. As a result of gout, an individual can feel painful sensations in their feet. Gout attacks, as they are known, are flare-ups that can occur in the nighttime. Importantly, gout has a relationship to certain kinds of food. For example, an individual living with gout can exacerbate their condition by ingesting red meat and pork. This is because such foods are very high in purines. An increase in purines in the body is typically associated with an increase in uric acid. This uric acid then accumulates in the joints, causing gout. Therefore, to avoid gout attacks, an individual should maintain a diet that has a low amount of purine-high foods. Consult a podiatrist today if you think that you have gout or want to learn how to manage the condition.
Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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 York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.
The big toe is generally affected when an ingrown toenail has developed. It happens when the nail grows into the skin instead of over it, and can cause severe pain and discomfort. Many people can get ingrown toenails from frequently wearing shoes that are too tight, or from trimming the toenails incorrectly. The skin surrounding the affected toenail may become inflamed, and is often red and swollen. Occasionally, there may be new tissue that grows over the toenail, and this is referred to as a granuloma. It may be accompanied by a discharge which can be blood or pus. Additionally, it may emit an odor if bacteria gets into the wound. Temporary relief may be found when the affected nail is soaked in warm water, followed by gently pushing the nail away from the skin using a cotton swab. For more severe infections, surgery may have to be performed that can permanently repair the nail. If you are afflicted with an ingrown toenail, please speak to a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can effectively treat this condition.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The pain and discomfort from having flat feet may vary from person to person. There are some patients who do not have pain at all with this condition, whereas there are patients who have difficulty in completing daily activities with flat feet. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch generally forms during the teenage years. For those people who approach adulthood with flat feet, there may be existing medical conditions that can cause it. These are generally hereditary, and can include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Marfan Syndrome. A proper diagnosis consists of having CT and MRI tests performed, and it is beneficial to have an X-ray taken that can determine if there is arthritis in the feet. Relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, which can make it easier to complete daily activities. If you have flat feet, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly fit you for orthotics, in addition to providing you with other helpful relief options.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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
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 our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The feet are an interesting and complex part of the body. Each foot is composed of 26 bones and several muscles, ligaments, and tendons that work together to provide mobility and balance to the body. Additionally, the feet carry the weight of the body, and are designed to absorb shock while running and walking. Research has indicated there are three types of foot postures. Humans and animals have the foot structure that is known as plantigrade, and is observed as the entire foot striking the ground while walking. The digitigrade posture is seen in dogs and cats, and is noticed as only the toes are on the ground while walking or running. Animals that run, such as horses, possess the unguligrade posture, and this is seen as a few of the toes touching the ground while running. The human foot has three parts, consisting of the hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot. Within each foot are bones that are divided into three categories, including tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges. There are many more parts that make up each foot, and if you would like to know more about how the feet are structured, please confer with a podiatrist.
If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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
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 York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
If you are a parent, then you surely know that trimming your child’s toenails is a critical component of maintaining their overall foot health. However, when the child resists or protests getting their toenails trimmed, the process can be quite difficult. Parents might consider trying to trim their child’s toenails in the bath because this is when their nails are most soft. Additionally, you might even try letting the child see you trim your own nails. Sometimes, children feel uncomfortable when parents trim their toenails because it may seem like a scary procedure to them. However, by letting the child see the parent trim their own nails, the parent might be able to show the child that it is not a scary procedure after all. If you have a child and want to learn more about ways to protect their feet, contact a podiatrist today.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor 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 York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.
