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Blisters on the feet can hinder a runner’s ability to enjoy the sport. They typically develop as a result of excess friction, and from shoes that do not fit correctly. Common areas for blisters to develop can include the arch, heel, and the sole of the foot. A blister is the body’s natural process to heal the area that has become damaged. It is defined as a small bubble that is filled with liquid, and this protects the raw area as new skin forms. It can be covered with a bandage until it gradually drains. Additional reasons why blisters may develop can consist of medical conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, frostbite, or allergic reactions. If you desire more information about blisters on the feet, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lumberton, NJ, Penn Boulevard, and Allegheny Avenue, in Philadelphia . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Stress fractures primarily occur when the feet are overused. As foot muscles get tired, they are unable to absorb as much shock from impact, and the stress is transferred to the bone. Over half of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg, and athletes involved in activities such as basketball, running, and gymnastics are at a higher risk for trauma. Since stress fractures can be difficult to diagnose through an X-Ray, communicating the risk of stress fractures to doctors is key, because they may have to resort to CT scans or MRIs. If diagnosed with a stress factor, rest is key.  However, a podiatrist may be able to recommend shoe inserts or braces to help as well. For the best treatment methods, please consult with your local podiatrist. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lumberton, NJ, Penn Boulevard, and Allegheny Avenue, in Philadelphia . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Obesity affects a large percentage of people worldwide. The additional weight the feet endure can lead to the development of painful foot conditions. Heel pain is a common ailment, and it can be indicative of specific foot complications. These can include plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or different types of arthritis. Many people who are overweight are faced with the dilemma of lacking the desire to exercise. Performing frequent stretches and exercises is beneficial to losing weight, despite that it may be difficult to accomplish. If you have gained weight and have frequent heel pain, it is recommended that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly diagnose you and help to manage your weight.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lumberton, NJ, Penn Boulevard, and Allegheny Avenue, in Philadelphia . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Patients who have wounds on their feet may experience difficulty in walking, in addition to having severe pain and discomfort. Chronic foot wounds can occur for a variety of reasons. These may include having diabetes, recovery from surgery, or if there has been a severe burn. Research has indicated there are three phases of the healing process. The first stage is referred to as the inflammatory phase in which the blood vessels naturally constrict to form a clot. This is followed by the fibroblastic stage that allows the protein source that is referred to as collagen to help the wound to heal and close. The last stage is known as the maturation phase, and as the wound continues to heal, it will typically form a scar. If you would like additional information about foot wounds, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Port Richmond Family Footcare. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lumberton, NJ, Penn Boulevard, and Allegheny Avenue, in Philadelphia . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.