Items filtered by date: April 2023

Pain in the arch of the foot may indicate a plantar fibroma has developed. It is defined as a growth that develops on the plantar fascia, which is the portion of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. A plantar fibroma is found on the sole of the foot and may cause discomfort, although it is generally benign. The majority of fibromas often measure less than one inch, causing pain and discomfort as a result of the pressure that is exerted on the nerves. There may be existing medical conditions that can lead some patients to develop a plantar fibroma. These can include diabetes, excessive alcohol use disorder, or possibly epilepsy. After a diagnosis is performed, which consists of having an X-ray or MRI taken, treatment can begin. Mild relief may be found when the symptoms are managed by wearing custom-made orthotics or taking pain medication. If you have a plantar fibroma, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment, which may include minor surgery for permanent removal.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

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 offices located in West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Children can get dry, cracked heels, and this can interfere with their active functioning. Cracked heels can occur in children for several reasons, including fungal infections, taking long and hot baths, obesity, and skin allergies. Drinking lots of water and good nutrition, which should include proper vitamins and nutrients, can help with dry, cracked heels in kids. Keeping feet clean, dry, and moisturized may also help prevent fungal and bacterial infections, such as athlete’s foot, often resulting in dry, cracked heels. Obese children can suffer from increased pressure on their feet, leading to cracked skin. If a child is obese, actions to bring a child’s weight into the normal range are suggested. Of course, if a child appears to get a skin reaction from a new product or some other irritant, it should be stopped immediately. Since dry, cracked heels have varied causes, it is suggested to take them to a podiatrist for an examination and treatment if this is something your child suffers from.

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 one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

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 offices located in West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Children’s foot and heel pain is common and can happen throughout any growing stage, especially growth spurts. The pain occurs around the heel bone and inside the foot. It can also aggravate children who participate in a lot of physical activity, like running and jumping. In children, when there is a growth spurt, and the bones grow quicker than the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons, there can be pain and tightness in the calf area. The calf muscles form the Achilles tendon, which is attached to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon can pull on the heel bone with intense physical activity and can cause pain. Also, active kids often have flexible flat feet until they grow older. The combination of these things can cause a pulling on the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and further irritate the heel. If your child has heel or foot pain or walks on their toes or limps, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can make a proper diagnosis and offer a treatment plan to restore them to comfort.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

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 offices located in West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis where too much uric acid in the body causes sharp crystals to form in joints. Uric acid forms when the body breaks down chemical compounds called purines. Purines are naturally produced by the body, and they also come from the foods we eat. Foods higher in purines include animal organ products, certain seafood, soda with fructose, and alcohol. Gout can cause pain, redness, and swelling in and around the joints of the feet. It is particularly common in the big toe. While gout typically affects adults, it can also happen to children. Pediatric gout is rare, more common in males, and is usually linked to underlying medical conditions, including obesity, Down syndrome, and congenital heart disease. If your child is complaining of big toe pain, it is strongly suggested that you take them to a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors 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 offices located in West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.