Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints, often affecting the feet and ankles. The immune system mistakenly attacks joint tissue, leading to symptoms such as persistent joint pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Over time, these symptoms can interfere with walking, balance, and overall mobility. A podiatrist plays a vital role in managing the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the feet by evaluating joint health, recommending supportive footwear or custom orthotics, providing treatments to reduce pain and inflammation, and guiding exercises to maintain flexibility and strength. If you have persistent joint discomfort or walking becomes difficult, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and management tips.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Carrie Frame, DPM of West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

Cold-related foot injuries, such as frostbite, chilblains, and trench foot, occur when feet are exposed to prolonged cold and damp conditions. Frostbite happens in freezing temperatures, leading to tissue damage as blood flow slows. Symptoms include numbness, discoloration, and potentially blistering. Chilblains, or painful, itchy swelling, develop when skin repeatedly warms up too quickly after cold exposure, causing blood vessels to leak. Trench foot, resulting from prolonged dampness in cold conditions, leads to tissue breakdown, swelling, and pain. These injuries are especially common among outdoor workers, hikers, and individuals without proper cold-weather footwear. Prevention involves wearing insulated, moisture-wicking socks and waterproof boots to keep feet warm and dry. If symptoms develop, it is suggested that you rewarm feet and visit a podiatrist promptly, so that the severity can be assessed and complications avoided.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Carrie Frame, DPM of West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Charleston, WV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is an oddly shaped bone in the center of the foot surrounded by other bones. The calcaneocuboid (CC) is the joint between the cuboid and heel bones and plays an important part in movement and stability.  Cuboid Syndrome is a painful condition on the outside of the foot which occurs when the cuboid bone is displaced and no longer aligns with other bones, resulting in a loss of joint congruence. It may become difficult to put weight on the foot, stand, walk, or hop. Causes of cuboid syndrome may include obesity, muscle or tendon impairment, flat feet, or inappropriate footwear. If you wear shoe inserts that are poorly made, train on hard surfaces (or overtrain), you may increase your risk of developing cuboid syndrome. Imaging may not be able to detect the loss of congruence in the joint so a podiatrist will perform an examination and clinical tests to make a diagnosis and devise a treatment plan.

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 Carrie Frame, DPM from West Virginia Foot & Ankle. 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 Charleston, WV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Finding the right shoes for your child starts with understanding how quickly the feet change as bones, muscles, and ligaments grow. Toddlers often begin walking with flat arches or feet that turn inward, but this usually improves as strength develops. Children’s shoes should protect their feet while allowing natural movement. Experts suggest buying shoes that bend near the toes, offer room for growth, and have a shape that matches the natural width of the forefoot. A secure heel helps guide the ankle, while laces or straps prevent slipping. Shoes that lack adequate support can lead to rubbing, ingrown toenails, or discomfort that affects walking. A podiatrist can assess foot alignment, recommend proper shoe structure, and discuss whether added support is needed to prevent long-term issues or reduce the chance of needing surgery. If your child is having foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance in choosing the proper footwear.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Carrie Frame, DPM of West Virginia Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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