Items filtered by date: February 2025

Wearing the wrong occupational footwear can lead to serious foot problems, including the risk of developing foot wounds. Ill-fitting shoes can create excessive pressure and friction, which can in turn cause painful calluses and blisters. When left untreated, these minor injuries can progress into open wounds, increasing the risk of infection. Tight footwear or poorly designed toe boxes may damage the nails, leading to bruising, thickening, or fungal infections that make the surrounding skin more vulnerable to injury. Long hours on hard surfaces in unsupportive shoes can result in plantar fasciitis, while improper cushioning and poor arch support contribute to chronic foot and ankle pain. Over time, poor circulation, especially in individuals with diabetes, can lead to ulcers and slow-healing wounds. Workers should ensure they wear well-fitted, supportive shoes to prevent foot injuries. If wounds or persistent pain develop, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a proper evaluation and more appropriate footwear recommendations.

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 Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor 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 Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Peripheral neuropathy in the feet can develop slowly, causing various noticeable symptoms. One of the most common signs is a gradual numbness, making it difficult to feel sensations in the feet. People with this condition may also experience increased sensitivity to touch, where even light pressure or a slight tap can cause discomfort. A lack of coordination is another symptom, often leading to difficulty walking or maintaining balance. Sharp or throbbing pain can also be present, especially at night or after long periods of standing or walking. Muscle weakness is another indication of peripheral neuropathy, as the feet may feel heavy or less responsive during movement. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time, affecting daily activities and overall quality of life. If you have signs of peripheral neuropathy in the feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

A plantar fibroma is a benign growth of fibrous tissue that develops in the arch of the foot. This condition often appears as a small, firm lump beneath the skin, typically in the plantar fascia, which is the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot. Symptoms include discomfort or pain when walking or standing for extended periods, especially when the fibroma presses against the inside of the shoe. The exact cause of plantar fibromas is not fully understood, but they are believed to be linked to genetic factors, trauma, or repetitive stress. Lifestyle factors such as wearing poorly fitted shoes, being overweight, or engaging in high-impact activities can increase the likelihood of developing this condition. Individuals with a family history of plantar fibroma or certain connective tissue disorders may be at higher risk. If you have the above symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that typically affects the skin on the feet, particularly between the toes. This condition is caused by a type of fungus known as dermatophytes, which thrive in warm, moist environments. The infection is often contracted in places like public showers, swimming pools, or gyms, where the fungus can spread easily. Athlete's foot is generally noticeable as red, scaly patches of skin that may crack, peel, or itch. In some cases, blisters may form, causing further discomfort. The infection can also lead to a burning or stinging sensation, particularly when the feet come into contact with certain fabrics or shoes. Athlete's foot is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infected skin or surfaces that have come into contact with the fungus. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can effectively treat this ailment, which often includes prescribed medication.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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