February 2025

Types of Surgery for Common Foot Issues

Foot surgery may be necessary for anyone dealing with painful or persistent foot conditions. One common procedure is hammertoe surgery, which corrects the abnormal bending of the toes, restoring their proper alignment and alleviating pain. Heel surgery is another option, particularly for conditions like heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, aimed at reducing pain and inflammation. Metatarsal surgery addresses issues with the bones in the ball of the foot, such as in cases of bunions or fractures. Neuroma surgery may be required for individuals with Morton’s neuroma, a condition where a thickened nerve causes pain in the ball of the foot. Additionally, tendon surgery can be performed to repair or release tendons that may be causing discomfort or limited mobility. If you have persistent foot pain or chronic foot issues, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine whether foot surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

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Why Women Experience More Foot Pain Than Men

Women are more likely to suffer from foot pain throughout their lives due to a combination of footwear choices, body composition, and biomechanical differences. Wearing high heels, narrow-toed shoes, and unsupportive flats contribute to bunions, hammertoes, and chronic foot strain. Prolonged use of these styles alters foot structure over time, leading to pain that persists even when switching to better shoes. Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy and menopause, can further weaken ligaments, increasing the risk of conditions like plantar fasciitis and fallen arches. Women’s wider hips create a greater Q-angle, affecting foot alignment and increasing stress on the arches and ankles. These factors combined make foot pain a persistent issue. If you have persistent foot pain, regardless of your gender, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist to address underlying issues and obtain relief options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

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Inspect Your Feet Regularly for Abnormalities if You're Diabetic

Diabetic patients often have decreased sensitivity in their feet, which makes a visual inspection of the feet even more important. If you're diabetic, having periodic screenings is extremely important for maintaining the overall health of your feet. 

Off-Loading Practices for a Wounded Foot

Off-loading is essential for promoting healing in a wounded foot, as it reduces pressure on the affected area and prevents further damage. By redistributing weight away from the wound, off-loading minimizes pain, enhances blood flow, and accelerates tissue repair. Common methods include wearing specialized footwear, such as surgical shoes, total contact casts, or orthotic inserts, which cushion and protect the foot while allowing limited mobility. For severe wounds, crutches, knee scooters, or wheelchairs may be recommended to completely off-load weight. Regularly elevating the foot also helps reduce swelling and improve circulation. It is vital to keep weight off the wound to avoid reopening or worsening the injury. Proper off-loading techniques depend on the type, location, and severity of the wound. To ensure effective care and recovery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a personalized treatment plan.

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 Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. 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 our office located in Plymouth, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Cuboid Syndrome Facts

Cuboid syndrome is a condition that affects the cuboid bone, located on the outer side of the foot. This bone plays a key role in maintaining foot stability and mobility. The condition typically occurs when the cuboid bone becomes displaced or misaligned due to excessive stress or injury. The most common causes include ankle sprains, overuse, or repetitive movements that put strain on the foot. Symptoms of cuboid syndrome often include sharp pain on the outer side of the foot, difficulty bearing weight, swelling, and a feeling of instability while walking or running. In some cases, individuals may also experience tenderness when pressure is applied to the cuboid bone. To diagnose cuboid syndrome, a podiatrist will conduct a physical examination, focusing on foot movement of the affected area. X-rays or other imaging tests may be used to rule out fractures or other potential injuries. If you have pain on the outside of your foot, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat cuboid syndrome.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Greater Boston Foot Care, PLLC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

 

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