Items filtered by date: August 2022

Standing all day while working can lead to pain, swelling, and long-term foot complications. That is why it is vital to use scheduled work breaks to elevate your feet, and take other precautionary measures to mitigate the damages working on your feet can cause to your feet and ankles. The best line of defense starts with proper footwear. Invest in a good pair (or two) of work shoes that provide proper support in the ankle and heels, plenty of cushioning, and stability. Your podiatrist can recommend other specific features to look for, based on the structure of your feet. They can also create custom orthotics to address any specific structural or alignment issues you may have which may cause pain and stress in other areas of your body. There are certain stretches and exercises your podiatrist may also suggest to stretch your feet, calf muscles and Achilles tendon. They may also recommend compression stockings to help stimulate circulation in your feet and reduce swelling. After a long day standing on the job, it is important to help your feet and ankles recover. Pamper your feet by soaking them in a warm bath. Massaging your feet and/or icing them may help to reduce swelling and soothe sore muscles. Contact a podiatrist near you to learn more about protecting your hard working feet on the job.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Todd A. Bell, DPM from Connecticut. Our doctor 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 feel free to contact our office located in Bloomfield, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

An ingrown toenail is easy to notice. The side of the toenail grows into the skin instead of over it. It can be quite uncomfortable, and in severe cases, may bleed, and become infected. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as wearing shoes that do not have enough room in the toe area, having endured a toe injury, or from trimming the toenails improperly. Genetic reasons may contribute to getting an ingrown toenail, and this may account for people who naturally have curved toenails, or have toenails that are too large for their toes. Common symptoms that are associated with ingrown toenails include redness, swelling, and pain. The affected toe may temporarily feel better when it is soaked in warm water, which can soften the nail. This may make it easier to pull the skin away from the toe, despite the fact it may not last. If you have an ingrown toenail, there is a chance it can become infected, and it is strongly advised that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can offer professional treatment. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Todd A. Bell, DPM of Connecticut. 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

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

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 Bloomfield, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The Achilles tendon is defined as the tendon in the calf which connects the calf muscles to the heel. People who frequently participate in sporting activities may experience an Achilles tendon injury, and this can be common among runners. It is considered to be the strongest tendon in the body, and can become painful if an injury has occurred. Some of the symptoms that patients may have can include severe heel pain, the affected area can be tender when touched, and the back of the ankle may be swollen. If the Achilles tendon is affected during a foot injury, the patient may hear a popping sound at the time of the mishap, and there is often immediate pain. This tendon can become weakened from overuse, and this may be a result of repeated stress that happens gradually. Additionally, this type of injury may occur from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, and increasing the intensity and speed of the chosen exercise too soon. If you have endured an Achilles tendon injury, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose it correctly, and offer prompt treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Todd A. Bell, DPM of Connecticut. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Bloomfield, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Pain in the second toe can cause a great deal of discomfort, but it is rarely discussed. One of the main causes of second toe pain is capsulitis, which is irritation or inflammation of the ligament capsule at the base of the toe. You may notice pain in the ball of the foot that feels worse when you walk barefoot, swelling in the area, and difficulty putting on or wearing shoes. Causes of capsulitis include improper foot mechanics, bunions, tight calf muscles, a weak arch, or a second toe that is longer than the big toe, which can affect the gait. Sometimes, if a person has capsulitis of the second toe, which causes it to drift toward the big toe, surgery may be required. If the pain associated with the second toe becomes debilitating or interferes with daily activities, it is wise to seek the help of a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause and provide treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Todd A. Bell, DPM of Connecticut. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Bloomfield, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Flat feet is a somewhat self-explanatory foot affliction that can affect a wide variety of individuals. This condition occurs when someone has no visible arch in their foot, or it may partially or completely disappear when the foot is on the ground. In other words, people with flat feet have no gap between the ground and the middle point of the soles of their feet. When standing, people with flat feet will be able to press their entire foot flush against the ground. While this condition can occur in children, adults may also be susceptible to flat feet. There are two main kinds of flat feet that you ought to be aware of. The first kind is known as flexible flat foot. This typically occurs in children when the arch of their feet disappears when standing, but it reappears when the child is sitting down. In some cases, children with flexible flat foot will also exhibit arches in their feet when walking on their tip toes. The second kind is known as rigid flat foot. This kind of flat foot is seen in both children and adults who never exhibit any kind of arch in their feet, whether they are walking normally, walking on their tip toes, or sitting down. If you believe you might have flat feet, consider contacting a podiatrist who can provide guidance and assistance.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Todd A. Bell, DPM from Connecticut. 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

• 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 our office located in Bloomfield, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.