Keeping your feet healthy is extremely important. To ensure proper foot health, seeing a podiatrist on a regular basis is important, especially if you have neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, or any other ailment that affects the feet. Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in conditions of the toes, feet, and ankles. Among the many conditions they are trained to deal with are ingrown toenails, heel and arch pain, gait problems, and sprains. They are also trained to work with patients who have diabetes and arthritis. Recommendations from a podiatrist may include prescription medication, exercise plans, and custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues. A podiatrist can use imaging tests and other methods to determine the extent and severity of your foot problems. If you are seeing a podiatrist for the first visit, it is a good idea to wear the shoes you normally wear, so a diagnosis of foot alignment and wear patterns can be conducted.  

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT,  is an inherited nerve condition that attacks muscles in the feet, legs, arms, and hands. The disease, which is named after the three doctors who first described it, is progressive and incurable. It is thought to be caused by a disorder in a particular gene that controls the peripheral nervous system. In short, the peripheral nerves have trouble sending the correct messages to the extremities. Symptoms often are noticed in the feet and legs first, causing weakness and balance problems. Often, sufferers may think they are clumsy or accident-prone. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease also causes the ankles to become weakened. This further affects the gait, and falling is prevalent. A visit to a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis is suggested, because there are some ways to treat the symptoms. People with CMT can benefit from custom shoes and leg braces, along with other walking aids to improve mobility and balance. In some cases, surgery can correct bone abnormalities. For more information, contact a podiatrist.  

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Hammertoe is considered to be a deformity. It is a foot condition that usually affects the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th toes, and causes them to bend downward at the joint. This can resemble a hammer, hence the name. Wearing shoes that do not have ample room for the toes to move freely may be a top reason why hammertoe occurs. Research has shown women are more prone to developing hammertoes and this may be the result of wearing high heels that have pointed toes. In the beginning stages, the toes may remain flexible and it is somewhat reasonable that they can be manipulated into their normal position. In more severe cases, corns may develop on top of the toes from friction as the toes rub that portion of the shoe. Additionally, there may be medical conditions that can lead to the onset of hammertoe, including rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and inflammatory joint diseases. If you are afflicted with hammertoe, please consult with a podiatrist who can determine its severity and offer the correct treatment options. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. 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 Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Running can be one of the most exhilarating and rewarding ways for some people to get in their daily dose of exercise. However, there are many things an individual may do before, during, and after running that can increase their risk of developing some kind of running injury. One important example is when an individual does not know when to replace their shoes. For example, sometimes the heel of a running shoe will become so worn down that it no longer provides support to the heel of the foot. The heel of the shoe can become worn down for many reasons. One habit that may be damaging the heels of your shoes is failing to lace and unlace the shoes when taking them on and off. By “toeing off” the shoes, you can negatively impact the heel. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about how to protect the heel of your shoes. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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