One of the more common congenital foot conditions is known as clubfoot. It develops while the baby is in utero and cannot be treated until birth. The tendons that connect the heels to the leg muscles are too short, and this may result in clubfoot. Research has indicated it affects males more than females, and it can be seen in approximately one out of 1,000 births in the United States. It is beneficial that treatment begins early in the baby’s life, preferably within two weeks of birth. The type of treatment can range from using manual manipulation that may help to move the feet into a normal position, to possibly having surgery performed. In many cases, the child can begin regular sports activities when of age after the preferred method of treatment. Common signs of clubfoot include the foot turning in and downward, with the toes pointing toward the opposite foot. Additionally, the affected foot, heel, and calf muscles may be smaller than the other foot, but the foot may straighten out as the healing process occurs. If you would like more information about clubfoot, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have and address your concerns.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks of Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. 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 Oceanside, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Having a physical examination performed is often an effective method to properly diagnose cuboid syndrome. This is done by applying direct pressure over the cuboid bone. A limited range of motion is often easy to notice. Pain on the outside of the foot and possibly extending to the ankle and toes may bring the patient in for an examination, and the midtarsal supination test is often performed. This consists of flexing the ankle and putting pressure on the cuboid bone. Common symptoms that are associated with this condition include intense pain, inflammation, and swelling. Relief may be found when the foot is wrapped with a protective covering that may help to provide stability as daily activities are accomplished. Despite the urge to keep moving, frequently elevating and resting the foot is beneficial as the healing process occurs. If you have pain in this part of your foot, please contact a podiatrist who can perform a proper diagnosis using the most effective methods, in addition to guiding you toward treatment techniques that are best for you.

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 Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor 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 Oceanside, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The toenails can become disfigured if they are infected by toenail fungus. The medical term for toenail fungus is onychomycosis,  which can be quite unsightly. It is caused by a fungus that lives in warm and moist environments, including public swimming pools, shower room floors, and locker rooms. The fungus can enter the body through small cracks in the skin, and it feeds on keratin that is found on the hard surface of the toenails. Additional factors like poor foot hygiene or wearing socks that are too tight can contribute to the development of toenail fungus. Also, existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and poor circulation, may lead to toenail fungus. Toenail fungus symptoms include hard, brittle toenails that often turn white or yellow. In severe cases, the nail may separate from the nail bed, which may require medical attention. If you experience any symptoms of fungal infection on your toenails, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who specializes in diagnosing and treating this condition.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks of Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

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