Clubfoot

English: children foot - plantar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Having anything wrong with your child, big or small, can be scary and if your child has clubfoot you may be full of fear of what this might mean. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT treats children of all ages. There are many foot problems that can affect children and clubfoot is a very common condition that is not life threatening and often responds very well to effective treatment methods.

How did my child’s clubfoot happen?
Clubfoot is a common birth defect in which the foot is abnormally twisted at a sharp angle near the ankle. There is no known cause for this condition other than the foot turns during the development in the womb. There are some conditions such as spina bifida that can cause clubfoot as well.

Ultrasounds can show clubfoot in the womb and it can be diagnosed immediately at birth. X-rays are often taken to fully assess the severity of the defect. When it is detected at birth, the good news is that it is not painful for your child and it is correctable.

For patients with clubfoot, Dr. Boucher will treat with a goal to restore function to the foot or feet by the time the patient is ready to walk. Depending on the nature of the clubfoot condition, she may implement serial casting to move the bones into alignment, special shoes and braces. Surgery is required at times if tendons, ligaments and joints need to be adjusting but more conservative methods are often effective. They require patience as treatment may take several months and symptoms can last until the age of seven. With the expert care of Dr. Boucher, your child will be in great hands and will be given tailored care specific to his or her needs.

If you have any questions about clubfoot or concerns about the care your child is receiving, please contact our podiatric office today. Call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668 or visit www.centralctfootcare.com.

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Following Up on Flatfeet

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feet are just one of those things that we often don’t pay any attention to. Until they hurt that is. Is that true with you? They take us everywhere we want to go, help us do every activity we are involved in, but are often neglected and taken for granted! When pain arises, it can literally stop us in our tracks and make us realize the importance of taking care of our feet.

A common foot problem that some people face is flatfeet. They are usually associated with pronation, which is when there is a leaning inward of the anklebones. Many have no pain or problems with their flatfeet. Flatfeet are also normal for infants and young children, as arches are not yet developed.

When pain is present

Painful flatfeet are also known as adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). The pain arises due to weakening or wear and tear on the posterior tibial tendon which helps support your arch. This tendon can become inflamed, stretched and even torn. Painful flatfeet can arise after an injury in some cases as well.

Interested to know if AAFD might be in your future? Aside from aging, the presence of obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, traumatic injury and high impact sports can all contribute to having AAFD. If you experience the symptoms of pain in your heel or arch and swelling on the inside of your ankle, it is time to get help. Toughing it out might feed your pride but it may also leave you with chronic pain and disability. No one wants that!

Good news!

There is help if you suffer with painful flatfeet. Dr. Tina Boucher at Central Connecticut Footcare Center can create a treatment tailored specifically for your flatfeet. There are many conservative options to treat your pain such as anti-inflammatory medicines, icing, taping, bracing and physical therapy. Custom orthotics may be very effective in alleviate your symptoms as well. Don’t suffer with pain from flatfeet any longer than you need to. Call Dr. Boucher (203) 238-3668 or visit our website at www.centralctfootcare.com and find relief.

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Summertime Blues - The Water’s Edge; Appropriate Water Footwear

HDRI photograph of sunset on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summer is almost here. Schools everywhere are letting out and families are trying to figure out the whole vacation thing. Whether you choose inland lakes, beautiful coastal regions, or the azure blue of the Caribbean, the allure of the water is sure to play a part in your vacation. However, remember that there is no time to relax your foot care routine while on vacation. Protect your feet because not only are injuries and ailments inconvenient to your vacation plans, but they can also be painful and cause you to miss out on a lot of the action. Even what seems harmless, like an easy stroll on the beach, can hide dangers. Protect your feet with appropriate footwear at all times, even while in the water.

Shoe manufacturers make it so easy now with the quick dry materials, open ventilation and multifunctional water shoes. Just grab a pair and go.
 
Pools

If you are at poolside, not only do these provide hazard protection from deck slippage, but they can protect from hidden dangers in the water.  One such hidden danger is broken glass on the pool bottom or rough tile edges, both capable of cutting your feet. You don’t want to be the one that’s bleeding in the pool. Another danger of public pool areas is athlete’s foot fungus, which loves moist and damp areas. This is the same fungus which can invade your toenails.  So now you’ve progressed from a minor ailment to a major catastrophe, which can become a very lengthy battle and one that is difficult to win.
 
Beaches

If you’re drawn to the beaches, keep water shoes on your feet if you plan on getting wet, or sandals while on the dry sand. Hidden objects lay just below the surface, such as coral, rocks, broken glass, metal and sticks that can cause lacerations and puncture wounds. Openings in the skin then allow bacteria to enter the body.
 
Lakes

If you enjoy inland lakes and waterways, there is appropriate footwear for canoeing, kayaking, walking shorelines and fording streams.

Water shoes are a critical element in swimming and fitness. They are the first line of defense that protects your feet from injuries and bacteria.  If the unthinkable happens and you are injured, contact Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668. Her expert healing hands can get you right back to having fun, just like life was meant to be.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC Podiatrist Meriden CT http://www.centralctfootcare.com Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

References:

http://gmagoldie.hubpages.com/hub/002-EZ-Swimmer-Swim-Shoes-Are-Essential

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Right Shoe for the Right Sport

April is Foot Health Awareness Month and the American Podiatric Medical Association has teamed up with First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign, "Let's Move" to shine the spotlight on childhood obesity and the importance of keeping children active and healthy. This new campaign launched by APMA is called "Today's Podiatrist Keeps America Moving". Sports and physical activities are an excellent way for children to stay active and healthy. Check out this video from APMA:

One of the tip sheets APMA has provided is aimed at helping parents pick out the right shoe for their child's sport. Selecting the proper shoe for the sport goes above and beyond just heading to the athletics section of the shoe store. To help your child free from serious foot and ankle injuries purchase a shoe that fits not only their foot but the activity as well.

Basketball
This is often the first organized sport children will get involved in and it's important to start them off with the right shoe that helps them perfect their basketball handling skills and prevents injuries.
A basketball shoe should:
*Have a thick, stiff sole that helps give support while running and landing from jumps to the basket.
*Incorporate high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction.
*Have the strongest support on either side of the ankle.

Cleats

Outdoor sports like baseball, softball, soccer, football, and lacrosse keep children's feet moving. This type of footwear should help prevent tripping and falling.

A shoe with cleats should:

*Fit snugly but comfortably on a child's foot- about one thumb width or less from the toe to the end of the shoe. Oversized soccer shoes can affect balance and cause blisters.
*Feature a rubber sole, to keep prevent slipping and injury, and a leather upper material.
*Cleats on the sole should be regulation length.

Tennis

Court shoes for tennis and raquetball may look like any other athletic sneaker, but it's what's on the inside that makes the difference on a child's feet.

A tennis shoe should:
*Support both sides of the foot, due to the quick lateral movements and weight shifts in court sports.
*Provide a flexible sole for fast changes of direction.
Running
Running shoes come in several different styles that support feet with different arch types.
A running shoe should:

*Provide maximum shock absorption to help young runners avoid ailments such as shin splints and knee pain.

*Control the way a child's heel strikes the ground, so the rest of hte foot can fall correctly.

*Fit your child's specific arch type. To determine arch type, see a podiatrist.
For a list of sports-related footwear with APMA's Seal of Acceptance, visit: http://www.apma.org/seal and click on Seal of Acceptance and then on Children's Foot Products.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com

Avoid Kid's Foot Problems This Back-to-School

Before heading back-to-school shopping with your children this fall, you should follow these tips in purchasing shoes that will last and fit your child's foot.

Your child's foot can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth during that time period. That does not mean that you should buy shoes that are overly big, as this can cause the foot to slide forward, and cause excessive pressure on the toes. A good fit is about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe.

Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns, and callouses on your child's toes, blisters on the back of their heels or worse, ingrown toenails, which can become infected. Signs of infection from ingrown toenails include pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist, who can perform an in-office procedure to remove the infected nail.

Shoes wear out over time and lose their shock absorption, so new and old shoes need to be inspected for proper cushioning and arch support. Replace any old shoes with wear and tear around the edges of the sole. When buying shoes, check to see that the toe box flexes easily and the shoe does not bend in the middle of the sole.

Worn-out shoes elevate the risk of heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, which can be diagnosed in children, as well as ankle sprains and fractures.

Children with flat feet need shoes with a wide toebox, maximum arch support and shock absorption. The best shoes to purchase are oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary. Converse sneaker, flip-flops, Uggs, and ballet flats are all shoes that should never be worn by children.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC

Meriden CT Podiatrist

http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Ingrown Toenails in Children

Parents can help prevent a common and painful foot problem in children by following a few simple tips. Foot and ankle surgeons say ingrown toenails are a common condition they treat in children. The doctors blame tight shoes, tight socks, and incorrect nail trimmings. In other cases, children may inherit the tendency for nails to curve. Surgeons say many kids hide their ingrown toenails from their parents, even though the condition can cause significant pain. Over time, the nail may break the skin and lead to dangerous infections. The ACFAS gives these recommendations to help parents prevent ingrown toenails in their children.

Tip #1: Teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and do not cut them too short.

Tip #2: Make sure children's shoes fit. Shoe width is more important than length. Make sure that the widest part of the shoe matches the widest part of your child's foot.

Tip #3: If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, parents can reduce the inflammation by soaking the child's foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold.

Tip #4: The only proper way to treat a child's ingrown toenail is with a minor surgical procedure at a doctor's office. Parents should never try to dig the nail out or cut it off. These dangerous "bathroom surgeries" carry a high risk for infection. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to children with infected ingrown toenails.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden, CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Back-to-School Foot Tips

When the final weeks of a care-free summer vacation come to a close, the sounds of school bells, slamming locker doors and students clamoring into classrooms are heard loud and clear once again. But before each new school year begins, parents eagerly seek out a wide array of school supplies and stylish new fashions for their children. One of the most important purchases on any parent’s back-to-school shopping list is a pair of new shoes. For many parents, back-to-school shoe shopping may seem easier than a pop-quiz in gym class – but the American Podiatric Medical Association says there are several important factors should be considered:
*Children’s feet change with age. Shoe and sock sizes may change every few months as a child’s feet grow.
*Shoes that don’t fit properly can aggravate the feet. Always measure a child’s feet before buying shoes, and watch for signs of irritation.
*Never hand down footwear. Just because a shoe size fits one child comfortably doesn’t mean it will fit another the same way. Also, sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete’s foot and nail fungus.
*Examine the heels. Children may wear through the heels of shoes quicker than outgrowing shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a podiatrist.
*Take your child shoe shopping. Every shoe fits differently. Letting a child have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.
*Always buy for the larger foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size.
*Buy shoes that do not need a “break-in” period. Shoes should be comfortable immediately. Also make sure to have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that’s how they’ll be worn.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Orthotics for Your Kids

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular walking pattern. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and effficient by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. As such, orthotics are often effective in the treatment of children with foot deformities or to improve foot performance for some athletes.

If a podatrist determines that your child needs to be fitted for orthotics, those orthotics will usually need to be replaced when the child's foot has grown two sizes. Different types of orthotics may be needed as the child's foot develops and changes shape.

The length of time a child needs orthotics varies considerably, depending on the seriousness of the deformity and how soon the correction is addressed. Ask your podiatrist to evaulate your child's feet to determine if they need orthotics.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!