Items filtered by date: December 2022

The medical term for the foot condition that is referred to as clubfoot is congenital talipes equinovarus. The abbreviation for this is CTEV, and the noticeable symptom seen is the feet turned inward at the ankle. There are two categories of clubfoot, postural and structural. A postural CTEV consists of muscle imbalance without involving the joints and bones. A child who has clubfoot that does not have full range of motion in their feet is afflicted with structural CTEV. The majority of babies who have this congenital foot disorder may not have complications until walking begins. At that point, a walking disorder will be evident, and there may be foot pain. Many parents are aware their child may have clubfoot during the pregnancy, when an ultrasound is taken. Steps can be taken soon after birth to correct this condition. If your child has clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that he or she is under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to determine the correct steps for recovery.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. John R. Northrup of Superior Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Research has shown the majority of women enjoy buying shoes but are unhappy with the way their feet look. Obesity may be a reason for this, and the feet may change shape as a result of the extra weight they endure. Additionally, the feet may become bigger, and many people have not purchased larger shoes to accommodate their feet. This can cause various foot problems to develop, including corns, bunions, and hammertoes. There are several warning signs the feet and legs may give which may indicate there is excess weight. These can consist of calf pain, possibly leading to Achilles tendonitis. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition among obese patients, and severe heel pain may accompany this condition. Gout is an ailment that affects the toes and can cause debilitating pain. This is known to be common among people who are overweight and may be connected to kidney disease. If you have foot conditions from being overweight and would like to know about effective treatment and prevention methods, please confer with a podiatrist.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing flip-flops can have several detrimental effects on the feet that are well-documented and widely known. Since they provide insufficient arch support, for example, they can cause or aggravate a variety of foot conditions. However, flip-flops and sandals can also be a source of nasty foot odor. The reason for this may be due in large part to the significant amount of sweat that typically results from wearing open-toe flip-flops and sandals during the hot summer months. Additionally, although some amount of foot odor on the sandals or flip-flops is normal, another cause of the odor may be that you are simply not cleaning your feet properly. During the summer, it can be especially important to bathe regularly and to also focus on the feet when doing so. If you are neglecting to clean your feet properly, then you might be making foot odor more likely. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about foot odor and flip-flops.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL .  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Having diabetes can lead to a number of foot problems, mainly as the result of nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, is brought on by long-term high blood sugar levels and renders the feet numb. Poor circulation, resulting from constricted blood vessels to the lower extremities, lowers the feet’s ability to heal from cuts, sores, and other conditions. It also lowers the body’s ability to fight off infection. These two factors put a diabetic at risk of painful and often serious complications, such as foot ulcers, that if ignored can lead to gangrene and worse. For that reason, it is suggested that diabetics check their feet daily for sores, bruises, cuts, or cracks in the skin. Regular visits to a podiatrist are essential for those with diabetes, especially if an infection has occurred. The careful monitoring of the health of the feet by a podiatrist can help a diabetic avoid conditions that could cause the loss of a limb or even a life. 

Limb salvage can be an effective way in preventing the need for limb amputation. If you have diabetes, cancer, or any other condition that could lead to foot amputation if left unchecked, consult with Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Limb Salvage?

Limb salvage is the attempt of saving a limb, such as the foot from amputation. Podiatrists also try to make sure that there is enough function in the foot after the salvage that it is still usable. Diabetes is the number one cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Those with diabetes experience poor blood circulation, which prevents proper healing of an ulcer. If the ulcer is left uncheck, it could become infected, which could result in the need for amputation.

However, there are other causes as well, such as cancer and traumatic injury. Links between higher mortality rates and amputation have been found. This translates into higher healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life and mobility for amputees. Podiatrists have attempted to increase the prevalence of limb salvage in an attempt to solve these issues.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Limb salvage teams have grown in recent years that utilize a number of different treatments to save the infected limb. This includes podiatrists that specialize in wound care, rehabilitation, orthotics, and surgery. Through a combination of these methods, limb salvage has been found to be an effective treatment for infected limbs, and as an alternative to amputation. Podiatrists will first evaluate the potential for limb salvage and determine if the limb can be saved or must be amputated. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.