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By Crofton Podiatry
May 01, 2019
Category: toe deformities

If you’ve ever looked at your feet and notice your toes bending at the joints, you may have hammertoes. Hammertoes is a condition caused by an imbalance of the muscles, bones and ligaments that keep your toes straight.

Causes may include:

  • Improper footwear – not wearing proper fitting shoes
  • Genetics – foot issues can be passed down from other relatives
  • Foot diseases – People with arthritis and diabetes can develop hammertoes
  • Toe length – a longer toe may be bent by hitting the front of the shoe
  • Sex – women tend to get hammertoes more than men
  • Age – Hammertoes is more prevalent as people get older
  • Sudden trauma – an injury can cause the toes to bend at the knuckles.

Indications of Hammertoe include:

  • Pain and swelling – the bending of the toe will result in irritation and pain
  • Inability to move the toe – with swelling it will be difficult to move or straighten
  • Corns and/or calluses – constant wearing of skin against another toe
  • Open sore – if enough contact is being made a sore may develop

There are a few things you can do short of surgery including stretching your toes before you put your shoes on, making sure you have proper fitting shoes, using a store-bought insole, adding padding and taking a pain med like Tylenol. A podiatrist can administer a cortisone shot for pain.  Your podiatrist can also fashion a custom orthotic for you.

If none of them help, then you may need surgery. If so, you podiatrist will confirm this with you. Surgery could include the following:

  • Arthroplasty – removal of a half of the joint
  • Arthrodesis – removal of a whole joint
  • Basal phalangectomy - removing the base of the bone under the big toe

If you believe you have hammertoes and they ate bothering you or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. 

 

 

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By Crofton Podiatry
March 12, 2019
Category: Bunion
Tags: podiatrist   corns   calluses   surgery   Bunion   arthritis  

Choosing the right fitting footwear is very important, as making the wrong choice could cause very painful problems for your feet. One of the effects of not doing so is the development of something called a bunion or a painful bony lump on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint. The lump, or bunion, also known as hallux valgus, puts pressure on the big toe causing it to turn inward.  While not everyone gets a bunion, those who do need to see a podiatrist to have it treated.

Risk factors for bunions include:

  • Inherited foot type. You may have a structural defect that’s been passed down from others.
  • High heel shoes. Shoes which put excessive strain on the toes pushing them together.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. A condition of sensitive swelling in the toe joints.
  • Poor fitting shoes. Both men and women need to make sure shoes provide plenty of width, especially at the toes.

Usually, someone suffering from a bunion will feel pain enough to know something is wrong, but other symptoms may also occur including difficulty finding correct fitting footwear, a visible lump near your big toe, corns or calluses where toes overlap and a lessened ability to move your toes. All these are signs that you may be developing a bunion.

Treatment of bunions will depend on the severity of the bunion. Non-surgical treatments include:

  • Wearing correct fitting and more comfortable shoes.
  • Wearing bunion pads which helps place the toes in a more anatomically correct position.
  • Placing ice on the foot which will help reduce swelling.
  • Pain medicine. The use of over the counter pain meds to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Injecting Cortisone in the foot to alleviate swelling.

In more severe and painful cases surgery may be needed including:

  • The removal of swollen and painful joint tissue.
  • Removing or cutting parts of the big toe thereby straightening it.
  • Adjusting the bones in your feet to make them straighter with regard to the toes. 
  • Repairing the tendons and ligaments around the toe.

Of course, only the most severe cases require surgery. The best person to determine how to treat your bunion is your podiatrist. Only they will know what is best for your foot.

If you believe you may have a bunion or have any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. 

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By Crofton Podiatry
January 07, 2019
Category: Children's Feet
Tags: shoes   surgery   orthotic inserts   child   intoeing  

When your baby begins to stand and try to take the very first steps, it feels like such a major accomplishment. Your baby is growing up so quickly and learning so much, it’s hard to keep track. The body is also developing at a rapid pace, and now you’ve got to consider so much more when it comes to physical growth!

Before you know it, your toddler will be an expert walker, soon headed to pre-school. Oh, how the time flies. But wait, is he walking a bit strangely? Maybe he hasn’t outgrown the waddle of a novice walker? He might even seem to be tripping over his own feet. Should you be worried?

Don’t fret just yet. Your child might just be intoeing as he learns to walk. More commonly known as pigeon-toeing, it describes a condition in which his toes point inward, toward each other, rather than straight ahead.

Possible causes of pigeon toes:

  • Congenital: While he was in the womb, he may not have had enough space for his feet to grow. It could have caused his feet to curve inward.
  • Genetics: Pigeon toes can be inherited from the parents.
  • Twisted leg bones: During development in his toddler years, his bones may have grown a bit twisted, causing the feet to turn inward.
  • Turned hip bones: If the hip bones develop abnormally rotated, it can also cause the rest of the leg to turn.

The good news is that with time, the condition usually resolves on its own. For those who seem to have more than a mild case of pigeon toeing, our podiatrist can help.

Treatment options will include:

  • Splinting or casting, if the condition is severe from birth.
  • Stretching and massages to help the foot resolve the problem over time.
  • Orthotic inserts or shoes to help the foot point forward.
  • Surgery, but only if the problem is severe and impedes in the way of life, and does not go away by the time he is 10 years old.

Remember that when it comes to children’s feet, growing pains are not part of growing up. Our podiatrist can guide you through the developmental processes to ease your mind. Make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll to help you find treatment for your children’s feet. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505 today. We provide services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
October 11, 2018
Category: Bunion
Tags: high heels   flats   shoes   surgery   orthotic  

While the wrong types of shoes may not directly cause bunions, they can be the reason why they become worse. Long-term use of shoes that do not have the proper foot support can lead the bunion becoming larger, stiffer, and more painful.

So what actually causes bunions?

While the exact cause is unknown, it seems that genetics, injuries to the big toe joint, and excessive pressure to the forefoot causes the big toe to begin pointing toward the other toes. The bony spur develops as a response to direct pressure, improper healing, or as a support to the big toe joint.

Then what types of shoes make bunion symptoms worse?

  • High heels (higher than 2 inches) – Wearing high heels puts an extraneous strain on the forefoot, especially at the big toe joint. The extra pressure can cause inflammation and pain after even just a few minutes. Eventually, it can cause the bony spur to get bigger and more painful.
  • Narrow and/or pointed-toe shoes – While some shoes seem very fashionable and trendy by being pointy or narrow, it’s not actually the right shape for your feet. Forcing your feet to spend the day walking in narrow or pointy shoes can further force your big toe to point toward your other toes.
  • Tight shoes or shoes that are small for you - Don’t forget that your feet swell a little bit throughout the day, so it’s best to find shoes that fit you in the afternoon. Additionally, some shoes do not come in half sizes, so you may have to size up or down. Be careful with sizing down since your feet (and bunions) need space to feel comfortable.
  • Stiff, non-adjustable shoes – Shoes with elastic material, straps, or laces will allow you to adjust your shoes to comfort as the day goes on. Again, tight shoes will only make bunion symptoms worse! If your bunion becomes inflamed, you’ll want to give your feet some breathing room by adjusting them.
  • Flats – Ballerina flats and other flat shoes that do not have arch support can cause more pressure on the big toe joint. If you prefer to wear flats, try adding arch support inserts to feel more comfortable.

What is the lesson learned? If you have bunions, don’t make them worse with the wrong shoes. Try looking for footwear that is low-heeled, comfortable, roomy for your toes, supportive for your arches, and adjustable throughout the day.

Of course, those with severe bunions already should speak with our podiatrist for the best solution. You may need custom orthotic shoes to fit severely deformed feet. Surgery might even be necessary if bunions really get in the way of your life.

We can help you! Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505 to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Come to visit our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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By Crofton Podiatry
August 08, 2018
Category: Foot health
Tags: swelling   Athlete's Foot   Gout   Orthotics   Diabetes   surgery   pain   arthritis   injury   psoriasis   fungal   ingrown   cracked heels  

There are some obvious times to visit a foot doctor:

  1. Foot injury – A podiatrist can help you find the best way to take care of foot injuries, with anything from orthotics to surgery.
  2. Ankle injury – Yep! Podiatrists also take care of ankle issues.
  3. Foot and ankle pain – If you suddenly notice pain or have ongoing pain that doesn’t seem to get better with time or at-home treatment, our podiatry team will help you figure out what’s going on.podiatrist

Beyond the more obvious reasons for visiting a podiatrist, some other very important times to call our office for foot health care are:

  1. Annual foot examinations – Some foot and ankle issues can arise with subtle symptoms. Catching a problem early can allow for a simpler intervention. Additionally, since a foot doctor is a fully-licensed medical professional, they can help diagnose other problems that may present symptoms affecting the feet. In fact, some patients learn about their diabetes after coming for a foot problem checkup.
  2. Conditions or diseases like arthritis, gout, or diabetes – Speaking of diabetes, folks with certain diseases can develop side effects that affect the feet. A podiatrist can help you manage symptoms like pain or numbness.
  3. Swelling or numbness – If you have swelling or numbness that is unexplained or persists for a long time, come in to check for underlying conditions.
  4. New deformities or changes in skin – Sometimes changes in the feet go unnoticed compared to changes in other parts of the body. That’s why it’s important to check the feet often for any changes that might need treatment. Additionally, severely dry, cracked heels, as well as other conditions like Athlete’s foot or psoriasis may require podiatrist help for treatment.
  5. Ingrown or fungal toenails – Most times, moderate to severe cases of ingrown or fungal toenails requires the attention of a podiatrist. Trying to treat these toenail conditions at home may be fruitless or even more harmful (e.g. trying to pry out ingrown toenails can lead to infection).

As you can see, there are many reasons why you might want to make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to assess and take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Please contact us and visit our podiatry team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

 

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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505