Causes of bunions are usually hereditary (thank your parents and grandparents). Tight fitting shoes don't usually cause them but will certainly make them worse. Wearing good fitting and supportive shoes will help slow the progression down a bit. An imbalance in the gait, often called pronation or more correctly "hyperpronation" contributes to bunion formation. Your podiatrist can make custom orthotics which fit in your shoes to help control this.

Rest, ice, removing shoes,bunion pads,anti-inflammatory medications are some of the conservative methods of making a bunion feel better. Very often, surgery is needed to remove the bump. Your podiatrist will take X-Rays to evaluate the structure of the bones and review options with you. While often not very painful post-operatively, it may take up to 2 months before you are back running, jogging or dancing.

As we move forward with our blog, we hope to promote podiatric awareness as a vital part of your healthy, active lifestyle. Here you will find a variety of articles and topics including the latest developments in podiatry, podiatric treatments and helpful foot care advice from Dr. Tarr and his staff.

We hope you find our blog to be helpful, engaging and informational to ensure the long-term health of your feet.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

This is most commonly seen on the big toes, however may happen on any toe. This is usually caused from improper cutting or wearing ill fitting shoes. When trimming your own nails it is very important to cut straight across, never cut at an angle in the corners. This would leave a very sharp point that likes to dig into the flesh as it grows out. If the nail corner makes a hole in the skin, this lets dirt and bacteria get in and may lead to an infection.

If no infection is present Dr. Tarr may try to alleviate pain by removing part of the toenail in the corner. Sometimes this requires a little local anesthetic. If the problem becomes persistent the corner of the nail may be permanently removed, thus curing the problem. This procedure, called a matrixectomy, is performed in the office and only takes about 30 minutes. Patients tend not to complain of much discomfort afterwards and it does require dressing changes daily for about 3 weeks.

If you suffer from ingrown toenails please call Dr. Tarr at either Sudbury Podiatry or Westford Podiatry for an evaluation.

Did you know diabetes affectes almost 21 million people in the U.S.?

1/3 (more than 6 million) are undiagnosed.

Costs more than $132 billion/year in health care expenditures.

It is one of the 6 leading causes of death in the U.S.

It is the number 1 cause of acquired blindness.

It is the number 1 cause of kidney failure.

It is the number 1 cause of non-traumatic amputation.

It is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, which is the #1 cause of death.

A if for A1C (also called hemoglobin A1C) is a test reflecting the average blood glucose over the past 3 months. For most people with diabetes the goal is <7. An A1C of 7 corresponds to an average blood glucose level of 150 mg/dl.

B is for Blood Pressure. For most diabetics the goal is <130/80 mm Hg.

C is for Cholesterol. Most diabetics should strive for a LDL level of <100 mg/dl, an HDL level of >40 mg/dl for men and > 50 in women. Triglyceride levels should be < 150.

Dr. Tarr's website may also be viewed by going to www.sudburypodiatry.com or www.westfordpodiatry.com

• At the beach or pool, try to keep your flip flops on while walking around
• Wear simple plastic flip flops when using a community shower (Not only does this create a barrier between your feet and the fungus, the plastic also helps prevent fungal growth that canvas and suede would harbor.) 
• While at the gym, remember to always change your socks!
• Try to rotate your shoes that you wear so that they have time to dry out. 
• The overall best way to prevent and even treat foot or nail fungus is to always keep your feet clean and dry!

Fun fact:  Older individuals, especially men, are more prone to nail infections in general.  Why do you think women are more prone to get foot and nail infections during the summer months?  Post your ideas.

-Women tend to get more manicures/pedicures during the summer

-Women wear nail polish and can share with others (can spread if infected)
 

If you have a fungal infection that needs treatment or any other foot ailment please visit our website at www.sudburypodiatry.com or www.westfordpodiatry.com for information on obtaining an appointment with Dr. Tarr

• 3 out of 4 Americans experience serious foot problems in their lifetime.
• The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles.
• 1/4 of all the bones in the human body are down in your feet. When thesebones are out of alignment, so is the rest of the body.
• Only a small percentage of the population is born with foot problems.
• It's neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care - including ill fitting shoes - that bring on problems.
• Women have about four times as many foot problems as men. High heels are partly to blame.
• Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation, contributing to weight control, and promoting all-around well being.
• Your feet mirror your general health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet - so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.
• Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America. It limits everyday dressing, climbing stairs, getting in and out of bed or walking - for about 7 million Americans.
• About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which in severe forms can lead to lower limb amputations. Approximately 56,000 people a year lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
• There are 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet. Sweat glands in the feet excrete as much as a half-pint of moisture a day.
• Walking barefoot can cause plantar warts. The virus enters through a cut.
• The two feet may be different sizes. Buy shoes for the larger one.
• About 5% of Americans have toenail problems in a given year.
• The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to about 115,000 miles over a lifetime. That's enough to go around the circumference of the earth four times.

     It is a good idea for a beginning jogger/runner to visit a podiatrist before starting an aerobic program. Your podiatrist will performa  physical exam, do a gait analysis, discuss orthotics if appropriate for you and recommend proper conditioning and footwear.

     During a 10-mile run, your feet make 15,000 strikes with the ground at a force 3-4 times your body weight.  Minor aches and pains are inevitable. These should go away with rest and ice.  If this gets worse, stop running and call your podiatrist.

                                                                                                   TIPS

- Start slow and increase distances slowly.
- Stretch regularly
- Wear proper shoes
- Fit your shoes with socks that you plan to wear during running.

Could your running shoe be running you into trouble?

Believe it or not, many of us are not wearing proper athletic shoes when we engage in cardio activities.  The biggest mistake a lot of us make is wearing shoes that are either too small or that are designed for a foot type other than our own.  Many of us start a running or walking routine with improper shoes that can lead to developing plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and tendonitis.  Here are simple ways to make sure you're staying on track toward a healthy fitness routine:

1)  Always buy shoes at the end of the day. 

            -Your feet will be at their largest and fullest size.

2)  Make sure you are wearing a shoe with the correct support. 

            -Does your foot type need more motion control (if you pronate), more stability, or more    cushion?

            -Your podiatrist can help you determine the proper shoe type for your foot.

3)  Try on the shoes you will be purchasing with the socks you will be running with. 

            -Trying on shoes with nylon socks will cause most of us to purchase our shoes too small or too tight.

4)  Always buy the shoe slightly larger than your dress shoe size.

5)  Change shoes every 400-500 miles. 

            -Shoes that are too worn out will no longer be functioning properly to provide your foot      with the support it needs.            

6)  Make sure your shoes actually fit! 

            -Measure if there is enough space at the tip of the shoe by using a thumb width at the  end of your longest toe.

            -Make sure you are accounting for a wide toebox (for a bunion) or a long toebox (for longer toes)

            -Make sure that your shoe bends right where your toes start and bend.  If the shoe bends more towards the middle of your foot (closer to heel than your toes), your shoe's arch may not align with your foot's natural arch

7)  Measure your feet regularly

            -Believe it or not but your feet size can change due to weight gain, pregnancy, activity,   and age

From a patient standpoint digital X-Rays tend to be available much quicker thereby giving a speedy diagnosis. There is much higher picture quality, often times requiring lower doses of radiation and fewer "retakes" due to poor quality film. It is very easy to email a copy to your primary care physician or copy to a dvd to give the patient.

From an environmental standpoint, there is no disposal of film or any hazardous chemicals (developer, fixer). There is also no waste of water which is required with traditional X-Ray.