Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when uric acid builds up in the blood and forms crystals in the joints, often affecting the big toe. Causes include an overproduction of uric acid or the body’s inability to eliminate it properly. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, high blood pressure, and certain medications. The pain from gout is often severe, sudden, and may be accompanied by swelling and redness. Dietary changes, such as reducing alcohol and limiting foods high in purines, can help manage symptoms. A podiatrist can diagnose gout, provide pain relief strategies, and guide long-term management. If you are experiencing intense foot pain from gout, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this painful condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Judson Siegel, DPM from Assabet Family Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which narrowed or blocked arteries reduce blood flow to the legs and feet. This limited circulation can cause pain when walking, cramping in the calves, or wounds that are slow to heal. In some cases, the skin may appear pale, cool, or discolored. Early diagnosis is essential, as untreated disease increases the risk of serious complications. Evaluation may include a physical exam, checking pulses in the feet, and noninvasive tests such as the ankle brachial index or ultrasound. Treatment focuses on improving circulation and preventing progression. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, regular walking programs, and healthy eating can make a significant difference. Medications may be prescribed to improve blood flow or manage risk factors, and surgery may be considered for severe cases. If you are concerned about circulation in your lower legs or feet, it is suggested that you seek care from a podiatrist for proper testing and management.

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Judson Siegel, DPM from Assabet Family Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Plainville, Marlborough, and Somerset, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The right shoes can make a major difference in comfort and injury prevention. Running shoes are designed with enhanced cushioning for impact, stability features such as medial posts, and flex grooves in the outsole for natural motion. They are also lightweight to reduce fatigue during longer runs. Walking shoes provide moderate cushioning for shock absorption, promote a healthy foot strike, and offer increased flexibility in the forefoot for smooth steps. Breathability keeps feet comfortable during daily activity. A podiatrist can assess your foot structure and gait to recommend the best shoe for your needs. If you have foot pain from wearing the wrong shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions and guide you on the best shoes to wear for the activities you participate in.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with Judson Siegel, DPM from Assabet Family Podiatry. Our doctor can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

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

Running is a well-known sport that is loved by many people. However, without the proper knowledge of technique and equipment, many people can suffer running injuries. To avoid these types of injuries, it’s beneficial to gain knowledge on specific prevention tips you can practice while performing the sport. Strengthening your body is an important step in this process. Activation exercises can be useful to look into and perform before you go on a run, that way your body is prepared for physical activity. Increasing the intensity of your runs must be done gradually or your body will react negatively. Another factor in injury prevention is proper footwear. Your shoes should fit comfortably and also offer the necessary support features for the type of running you enjoy. For more information on how to prevent running injuries, please consult with a podiatrist for professional advice and care.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Judson Siegel, DPM of Assabet Family Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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