Foot or ankle stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that often develop from repetitive impact rather than a single injury. They are common in athletes, runners, and individuals who suddenly increase their activity level without proper conditioning. Wearing worn or unsupportive footwear, training on hard surfaces, or having poor bone density can also contribute to their development. Symptoms often include localized pain that worsens with activity, swelling, and tenderness to the touch. Rest and reducing weight-bearing activities are essential for healing. Wearing supportive footwear or a protective boot may be recommended to prevent further strain. Gradually returning to activity once pain has resolved can help avoid recurrence. Early attention to symptoms can reduce recovery time and prevent more severe fractures. If you suspect a stress fracture or have persistent foot or ankle pain, it is suggested that you arrange an appointment with a podiatrist for an assessment and appropriate care.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our doctors from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Needham, Norwood, and Hanover, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Morton’s toe is a common foot condition where the second toe is longer than the big toe. This structural variation can cause an uneven distribution of weight while walking or standing, leading to foot pain and discomfort. People with Morton’s toe may experience symptoms such as pain in the ball of the foot, calluses, or corns between the toes. The longer second toe may also cause imbalance and increased pressure on certain areas, resulting in fatigue or aching feet. A podiatrist can assess your foot structure and recommend treatments like custom orthotics to redistribute pressure, proper footwear to accommodate toe length, and exercises to strengthen foot muscles. Early intervention can help to reduce pain and prevent further complications. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer effective relief solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our doctors of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Needham, Norwood, and Hanover, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Congenital foot conditions are structural abnormalities present at birth that can affect a child's mobility and development. Clubfoot involves the foot turning inward and downward. Planovalgus refers to a flat foot with the heel rolled outward. Cavus foot is marked by a high arch that can lead to instability. Congenital vertical talus presents with a rigid flatfoot and upward-facing sole, while metatarsus adductus is a curve in the front half of the foot. These conditions may vary in severity but often benefit from early diagnosis and treatment. A podiatrist can offer bracing, custom orthotics, or surgical guidance when needed. If your child shows signs of a foot abnormality, it is suggested that you include a podiatrist on your health care team to ensure your child receives correct treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our doctors of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors 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 our offices located in Needham, Norwood, and Hanover, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.