Posts for category: Foot Care
How to Choose the Right Podiatrist for You?
Your general practitioner may be able to assist you with minor foot injuries, and if they're minor enough you may address the superficial symptoms at home. But when you require more in-depth care, someone whose specialization is treating your foot is whom you want to call. A podiatrist is just that person, and choosing the right one depends largely on the ailment you're seeking to treat. If you want to find out if the experts of Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut are the right podiatrists for you, get in contact with Dr. Christian Davis, Dr. Joseph Treadwell, or Dr. Rihamary Jimenez. With offices in Plainville, Danbury and New Milford, CT, they are here to help you.
Ankle Sprains
Many times an ankle sprain requires only some rest, and ice to help with the swelling. But an injury of this type could carry with it plenty of complications unless it is properly diagnosed.
If improperly treated you could be facing a chronic problem down the road, or if the injury is severe enough, it may require surgical intervention. A podiatrist will diagnose your ankle with imaging tests as well as recommend the correct treatment.
Diabetes
Diabetes increases dramatically the potential complications of foot-related problems.
You should take special care of your feet if you're diabetic, taking special care with the way you cut your nails, your choice of footwear, and overall care and inspections.
But don't forget to make regular visits with your podiatrist part of proper care.
Heel Pain
If you work on your feet for extended periods of time you may have already encountered heel pain. Most common in the mornings immediately after getting up from bed, or when standing after sitting down for some time.
You may have tried to address it on your own, but if the pain has not subsided, contacting your podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist may be able to help with the use of custom made orthotic devices, night splints, or injection therapy to help ease your pain.
They will also know when surgery is the required form of treatment.
Podiatrist Services in Plainville, Danbury and New Milford, CT
The Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut can provide you with treatment for the above-mentioned foot problems as well as others. For the more extensive list, and to find out how your local podiatrists can assist your own specific case, call Dr. Davis, Dr. Treadwell, and Dr. Jimenez to make an appointment. Dial (203) 748-2220 for the Danbury, CT, location, (860) 355-3139 for New Milford, CT, and (860) 747-2200 for Plainville, CT. Their offices serve the New Britain, Bristol, Southington, Farmington, New Fairfield and Ridgefield, CT, areas.
A healthy body starts with healthy, happy feet. After all, your feet have to do a lot of heavy lifting, providing your body with a sturdy foundation and support to walk, run, and climb stairs. Of course, many people will deal with biomechanical problems in their feet due to flat feet, high arches, or other structural abnormalities. The good news is that something as simple as custom orthotics can provide your feet with the support they need to both prevent and manage foot and leg pain and other problems.What are orthotics?
These specialized shoe inserts are a little different from the ones you can find at your local drugstore. Orthotics are special, custom-made shoe inserts designed and fabricated by your podiatrist to specifically fit your foot and its unique needs. There are many reasons why a podiatrist may recommend orthotics.
Sometimes orthotics are used to alleviate symptoms and improve common foot, leg, or even back problems, while other times your podiatrist may recommend them to improve the support and health of your feet to prevent problems in the first place.
Do I need orthotics?
Orthotics is just one way to treat foot and leg problems and your doctor may recommend orthotics if you are dealing with,
- Leg, hip, or back pain
- Bursitis
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bunions
- Diabetes
- Hammertoes
- Certain injuries to the foot or ankle
Orthotics can help people of all ages and backgrounds, from athletic kids and adults to those who are overweight and seniors. Feet continue to change as we get older, and as aches and pains set in, custom orthotics could be what you need to help make getting around as easy as it once was.
Types of Orthotics
There are many different kinds of materials that can be used to create orthotics. The type of condition you are dealing with will most likely help your podiatrist determine which material to use.
Orthotics range from soft and flexible to hard and rigid. Those with plantar fasciitis or diabetic feet are more likely to benefit from the cushioning and additional support of soft orthotics while athletes and those who often wear dress shoes are more likely to benefit from rigid orthotics.
If you are interested in orthotics and how they could help you, talk with your podiatrist to learn more.
If you’re dealing with a bunion then you know that this pain is no joke. If you’re dealing with a throbbing, aching pain at the base of your big toe then you could very well be dealing with a bunion. This problem, a common complaint among women, usually develops gradually over many years so many people don’t even realize that they have a bunion until symptoms start to appear. While a bunion will not go away without surgery, the good news is that a podiatrist is usually all you need to manage your symptoms without resorting to surgery. Here are some ways to effectively manage your bunions:- Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help with pain and swelling
- Ice the bunion for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day to also alleviate pain and swelling (conversely, you may choose to soak your bunion in warm water to ease symptoms)
- Consider getting prescription orthotics (shoe inserts) to place within your shoes to take the pressure off the deformed joint and to reduce pain with walking or standing
- Wear a night splint, which will straighten out the big toe while you sleep to reduce morning pain and stiffness
- Only wear shoes that have a wide toe box that doesn’t put pressure on the bunion. Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes.
- Perform stretching exercises every day to alleviate stiffness and to improve mobility and range of motion within the feet
- Apply a non-medicated pad over the bunion before putting on shoes to prevent friction and the formation of a callus
Should I consider bunion surgery?
Worried that you might be dealing with a bunion? Experiencing regular bunion pain? If so, a foot and ankle professional can assess the problem and provide you with a customized treatment plan to help you get your bunion pain under control.
Did you know that there are ways to prevent a bunion?
A bunion is a common foot deformity that most often affects the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which is found on the outer side of the foot at the base of the big toe. Of course, a bunion can also affect the joints of the smaller toes (referred to as bunionettes or tailor’s bunions). While our team of Danbury, New Milford, and Plainville, CT, podiatrists, Dr. Joseph Treadwell, Dr. Christian Davis and Dr. Rihamary Jimenez can certainly help you manage your symptoms, wouldn’t it be better to prevent a bunion in the first place? Here are some ways to reduce your risk,
Say Goodbye to High Heels
If you are someone who loves their high heels then reading this may be a bit of a downer; however, high heels and shoes with pointed toes can cramp up toes and put too much pressure on the MTP joint. Over time, these shoes can do a lot of harm to your feet, causing bunions and hammertoes. While you don’t have to commit yourself to only wear flats, you will want to wear shoes with heels no taller than 2 inches.
Stretch and Strengthen Your Feet
Did you know that there are exercises you can do each and every day to help strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your feet? Just like you lift weights to improve the strength of your arms, chest, back and legs, you also want to keep your feet and ankles strong. These exercises could prevent or, at the very least, slow the progression of a bunion.
Wear Properly Fitted Shoes
Everything from the toe box to the heel of your shoes should provide proper cushioning and support. The shoes should also fit your feet properly. If you ever purchased shoes with the hopes of breaking them in, bad habits such as this could leave you dealing with a bunion in the future. Always get properly fitted for shoes and try on shoes in the late afternoon or early evening, as feet swell throughout the day.
Examine Your Feet
If bunions run in your family it may be a good idea to keep an eye on your feet, examining them thoroughly about once a month to look for any changes to the overall structure or shape. After all, a bunion develops gradually; therefore, you may not notice any symptoms at first, but you may notice that the big toe’s joint has started to stick out more or that your shoes don’t fit like they used to. By catching a bunion early, you can also turn to our Danbury, CT, podiatrist for treatment and simple solutions to prevent it from getting worse.
Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut is made up of premier podiatrists who provide comprehensive care to patients in Danbury, Plainville, and New Milford, CT and serving the New Britain, Bristol, Southington, Farmington, New Fairfield, and Ridgefield, CT, areas. Whether you are dealing with bunion pain, arthritis, or diabetes, our team can help you manage your symptoms. Call us: Danbury office – (203) 748-2220; New Milford office – (860) 355-3139 or our Plainville office – (860) 747-2200.
Are you wondering whether you should be turning to a podiatrist for care?- Ingrown toenails
- Chronic heel pain
- A broken foot or ankle
- Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the feet
- Severe pain
- Difficulty bearing weight on a foot or ankle
- A visible foot deformity
- Signs of infection (e.g. redness; swelling; fever)
- An ulcer or open wound