January 2024

Clubfoot, a congenital foot condition, is a complex deformity that affects the structure and positioning of a newborn's foot or feet. This condition is characterized by abnormalities in the tendons, muscles, and bones, resulting in a twisted and abnormally shaped foot. Understanding the classifications of clubfoot is essential for effective management. The first classification, talipes equinovarus, involves the foot turning downward and inward. Talipes varus, the second type, sees the foot turning inward. Talipes valgus, the third classification, features an outward-turning foot. Lastly, talipes calcaneovalgus is characterized by an extended foot turned outward. Each classification poses unique challenges and requires specific treatment approaches. Early intervention is key, often involving gentle manipulation, casting, and sometimes surgical correction. If your child has been born with clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can guide you to a comprehensive treatment plan.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Gordon Fosdick of Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor 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 Middlefield and Wallingford, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete's foot, a common fungal infection, can cause discomfort and itching, urging us to delve into its origins and effective prevention strategies. This condition thrives in warm, damp environments, making communal spaces like locker rooms, swimming pools, and shared showers breeding grounds. Direct contact with the fungus through contaminated surfaces or by sharing items such as towels and shoes facilitates its spread. Prevention begins with practicing good hygiene, including thorough drying between toes and keeping feet clean. Opting for breathable footwear and moisture-wicking socks helps maintain a dry environment, discouraging fungal growth. Regularly changing socks and allowing shoes to air out are essential habits to practice. Additionally, avoiding walking barefoot in public areas further reduces the risk of exposure. Swift attention to any signs of infection, such as redness or scaling, is pivotal for early intervention. If you have developed athlete’s foot, it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition, which may include prescribing medication.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Gordon Fosdick from Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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

Research reveals that nearly half of recreational runners sustain injuries, often affecting the Achilles tendon, calf, knee, ankle, lower leg, feet, and toes. Various factors contribute to injury risk, including running mechanics, footwear, and abrupt mileage increases. Fortunately, effective strategies exist to prevent running injuries before they disrupt your routine. It is essential to understand that injury prevention is complex, with factors like anatomy, history of injuries, and training methods playing roles. Each runner is unique, possessing distinct anatomical traits and injury histories, making injury prevention a challenging task. To reduce injury risk, experts recommend focusing on building a strong body, maintaining proper form, and choosing suitable footwear. Achieving a balance among these factors can significantly lower the likelihood of injuries, ensuring a rewarding and injury-free running experience. It is also advisable to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for personalized advice on preventing running injuries.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Gordon Fosdick of Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Hammer toe surgery serves as an effective remedy, particularly when the deformity stands as the primary concern. Yet, in some cases surgical intervention is a must. Tendon transfer is a suitable option for correcting flexible hammer toes. This surgical approach involves repositioning the toe by pulling a nearby tendon across the joint. The procedure effectively corrects muscle weaknesses, enhances the toe's appearance, and mitigates associated pain. In instances of fixed hammer toes, joint resection proves beneficial. This surgical technique requires the cutting of ligaments and tendons to straighten the toe, potentially involving the removal of a portion of the bone. Temporary pins may be employed to maintain alignment, and they are typically removed several weeks post-surgery. For severe fixed hammer toes, fusion emerges as a possible solution. This process entails removing portions of the joint to facilitate bone fusion. Tendons, ligaments, and bone ends are cut, and the joint is stabilized using pins until the process is complete. If you have a hammertoe that impedes completing everyday activities, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to determine the most appropriate surgical option for you.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Gordon Fosdick of Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Foot pain, though common, should not be dismissed. Various factors contribute to foot pain, such as fractures and sprains resulting from the complex structure of the feet. Seeking prompt intervention from a podiatrist after a foot injury is essential for effective treatment. Achilles tendonitis, inflammation of the tendon behind the heel, often stems from overuse in activities like sports. Hammertoes, a painful consequence of toe stress, may be alleviated with special footwear and in severe cases, surgical intervention. Heel spurs, caused by tissue overuse, may respond to gentle daily stretching, wearing proper footwear, and, in extreme situations, medical procedures such as corticosteroid injections or surgery. Metatarsalgia, inflammation on the ball of the foot, is common in active individuals as are corns, which are painful bumps resulting from toe crowding or tight shoes. Bunions, bony bumps at the base of the big toe, may necessitate surgery, with varying results depending on the severity. Plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, may be prevented through wearing proper footwear and warm-up practices. If you need medical help with any of these common causes of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Gordon Fosdick from Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor 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 Middlefield and Wallingford, CT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.