Items filtered by date: March 2021

Patients who develop blisters on their feet are often aware of the discomfort they can cause. They generally form as a result of excessive friction that may come from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly.  It is considered to be the body’s natural way to heal damaged skin. Blisters are defined as a small area of fluid that forms over the injured skin. The blister will gradually drain as new skin grows, and it is important to keep it protected while wearing shoes. People who run may be prone to developing blisters, and it may help to soak the feet when the running activity is completed. If you have blisters on your feet, and would like to learn about possible preventive methods, it is suggestd that you speak with a podiatrist.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Edward S. Pozarny DPM of Arlington Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Arlington, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is an overuse injury of the growth plate in the heel. This condition is common among active children between the ages of 8 and 14. While the child is still growing, the growth plates in their heel bones are vulnerable to injury and inflammation. This is often caused by participating in repetitive activities that put excess strain on the heels, such as the running and jumping common in sports like soccer or basketball. Sever’s disease is also more common in children who are overweight, as the extra weight can put pressure on the heels. Symptoms of Sever’s disease include heel pain, swelling, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected foot. If your child complains of heel pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Edward S. Pozarny DPM from Arlington Podiatry Center. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Arlington, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

As babies learn and begin to walk, their feet become stronger. Gradually, the soft tissues the feet are composed of will strengthen and become able to support the body’s weight. Crawling starts before walking, and this helps to build the arches. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arches fully develop as the child approaches puberty. It is beneficial for babies to refrain from wearing shoes while indoors. This can help to strengthen the overall foot as the toes grasp the floor. As the child walks outdoors, it is important to choose shoes that fit correctly. This can be accomplished by properly measuring the feet, which can determine what size shoe should be purchased. If you would like more information about the health of children’s feet, please consult with a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Edward S. Pozarny DPM of Arlington Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Arlington, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children and adolescents. This condition can cause inflammation and joint pain in any joint in the body, including those in the feet and ankles. These symptoms can make it difficult to walk, as joints become stiff, swollen, and tender. The child may become easily tired, and it can become harder to complete activities of daily living. JIA is an autoimmune disease and its causes are currently unknown. If your child has JIA that affects their feet or ankles, a podiatrist can help manage the foot and ankle symptoms associated with this disease. 

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Edward S. Pozarny DPM from Arlington Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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

A metatarsal stress fracture is a tiny crack in one of the five metatarsal bones of the foot, which can potentially cause pain, bruising, and swelling. This can occur due to high impact, weight bearing activities putting excess stress on the bone. People who rapidly increase the duration, intensity, or amount of physical activity that they do, suddenly change playing surfaces or the terrain that they exercise on, or exercise often and without taking enough time to rest and recover, are at an increased risk of developing a metatarsal stress fracture. People who have weak or inflexible muscles, flat feet, high arches, low bone density, or a family history of bone problems are also at an increased risk. If you suspect that you may have a metatarsal stress fracture, please consult with a podiatrist.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Edward S. Pozarny DPM from Arlington Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Arlington, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.