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Dancers face unique challenges when it comes to choosing the right footwear. Their preference for wearing tight-fitting dance shoes often leads them towards ill-fitting street shoes, which can further strain their feet. To protect their feet, it is important to allow toes to spread naturally and provide proper arch support through suitable footwear. Dancers often transition from demi-pointe to high heels, which can increase stress on the balls of their feet and shorten their Achilles tendons. This practice raises the risk of developing conditions such as bunions, metatarsalgia, sesamoiditis, and Achilles tendonitis. To mitigate these issues, it is helpful for dancers to opt for supportive footwear such as walking or running sneakers with firm heel counters and outsoles. Custom orthotics can further enhance comfort and address problems like plantar fasciitis and neuromas. For indoor use, slip-on clogs or sneakers with orthotics can be worn. If you are a dancer and would like more information on how wearing custom orthotics may benefit you, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to further discuss this.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The journey of infancy unveils the uniqueness of every child, including the diverse ways their little feet may develop. Clubfoot and metatarsus adductus stand out as congenital foot conditions that influence the early stages of a child's mobility. Clubfoot presents as a deformity where the foot turns inward and downward, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Conversely, metatarsus adductus, involves a curved or turned in position of the front part of the foot. Both conditions are noticeable from birth and can be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While clubfoot necessitates gentle manipulations and casting to guide the foot into proper alignment, metatarsus adductus often resolves with stretching exercises and wearing proper footwear. Understanding these congenital foot conditions empowers parents and podiatrists to initiate timely interventions, providing the best foundation for a child's healthy and active future. If your child has been born with one of these foot conditions, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can promptly begin the correct treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. 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 office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, often at the base of the big toe. It is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which can form needle-like crystals in a joint, triggering inflammation and intense pain. Risk factors for developing gout can include a diet rich in purines, found in red meat, seafood, and alcohol. Additionally, obesity, and certain health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney problems may also lead to developing gout. Men and postmenopausal women are more susceptible. If you think you may have gout and you have pain in your big toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment that can restore your comfort.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Nerve pain in the feet, manifesting as a burning, tingling, or electric shock-like sensation, can be debilitating and impede daily activities. It can emerge at night or during specific actions, often linked to conditions like Morton’s neuroma, which causes thickened tissue around nerves. It may also be indicative of tarsal tunnel syndrome, where nerve compression triggers sharp, shooting pains. Diabetic neuropathy begins with pain in the toes that can expand upwards. Causes for these nerve issues vary, including factors like wearing ill-fitting shoes, physical injuries, and systemic health issues like diabetes, obesity, or infections. Treatment strategies depend on the underlying cause. If you have nerve pain in your feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to obtain a diagnosis and treatment. This can help prevent the progression of potential conditions and enhance your quality of life.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.