Bunions are bony protrusions at the base of the big toe that can not only be unsightly, but also painful. Managing bunions involves a combination of self care and professional guidance. Begin by wearing well-fitting shoes with ample room for your toes and avoiding high heels and pointy shoes that exacerbate pressure on the bunion. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief. Wearing custom orthotic inserts can alleviate discomfort by redistributing pressure. Regularly performing gentle toe stretches and exercises can improve flexibility and strength. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be considered. With a proactive approach, you can successfully manage bunions and maintain your foot health. If the bunion causes persistent pain or interferes with daily activities, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer you additional relief and treatment methods.
If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.
Causes
Symptoms
In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, 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.
Plantar fibroma, a perplexing foot condition, can create discomfort and disrupt daily activities. It involves the growth of benign fibrous tissue in the arch of the foot, leading to the development of a firm nodule. This condition is not linked to cancer and often occurs in the plantar fascia, the band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. While the exact cause remains unclear, it's believed to result from trauma or genetic predisposition. Treatment options encompass a variety of approaches. Conservative measures include wearing orthotic inserts for support, and cushioned shoes to reduce pressure. In more severe cases, surgical removal may be considered. If you have developed a plantar fibroma, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and develop a tailored treatment plan for you.
A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Plantar Fibroma
A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.
What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?
While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.
What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?
There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.
Treatment and Prevention
A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:
Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Pregnancy is a much-anticipated journey for many women, often filled with numerous physical changes, and the feet are no exception. During this transformative time, many women experience various alterations in their feet, which can be from hormonal shifts and increased weight. One common change is the flattening of the arches, caused by the hormone relaxin. This is effective in loosening the ligaments and joints in preparation for childbirth. As a result, some women may experience pain and discomfort in the feet and ankles. Swelling, also known as edema, is another prevalent issue, as the body retains more fluids during pregnancy. This can lead to a feeling of heaviness and tightness in the feet. To alleviate these symptoms, pregnant women are advised to wear comfortable and supportive footwear, elevate their feet when possible, and perform foot stretches and exercises. It's essential to prioritize foot health during pregnancy to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey to motherhood. It is suggested for women who are pregnant include a podiatrist in their healthcare team who can treat any foot conditions that may arise.
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.
Running shoes are the holy grail for many fitness enthusiasts, but with so many options available, finding the right pair can be overwhelming. Understanding the different types of running shoes will make the selection process smoother. Neutral cushioned shoes are ideal for runners with a neutral gait, providing balanced cushioning for shock absorption. People who have mild overpronation may benefit from wearing stability shoes that offer added support to prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot. Motion-control shoes may be a good choice for people who have severe overpronation because they feature maximum support and control that can stabilize the foot. Experienced runners seeking a natural, lightweight feel may opt for minimalist shoes, which can also help to improve foot mechanics. To find out which type of running shoes are best for you, it is beneficial to have a gait analysis performed. This is an accurate method that can determine your foot type and running style. A proper fit consists of having a thumb's width of space between the longest toe and shoe tip and a snug heel fit. If you would like additional information about which types of running shoes are right for you, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist. seeking.
If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor 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.
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.
Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
Mildly cracked heels are generally not a serious foot condition unless they develop into fissures, which may bleed and become infected. Cracked heels are caused by standing on hard or uneven surfaces for most of the day, or from wearing shoes that do not have a back. Flip-flops fall into this category, and it is beneficial to limit wearing these types of shoes. Patients who have existing medical conditions, such as psoriasis, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, may be prone to getting cracked heels. One of the first signs that cracked heels may be developing is the hard, thickened skin surrounding the heel. This is referred to as a callus and can be yellow or brown in color. Cracks can form over the callus and can become worse when pressure of standing or running is exerted. Effective prevention methods can include washing and drying the feet daily, followed by applying a good moisturizer on them. If you have cracked heels that are causing problems, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can successfully treat this condition.
If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Cracked Heels
It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.
Ways to Help Heal Them
Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels
If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need.
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.
Richard DiMario, DPM - Default