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Waldorf Office

(301)-843-9581

Clinton Office

(301)-868-3899

California Office

(301)-690-6044

Fall Bring's Women's Foot Problems Into Focus

Here’s a foot fact you may initially find surprising: at Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle once temperatures turn cooler and fall arrives, we see an increase in two conditions in our women patients, bunions and Haglund’s Deformity. Why? Autumn brings back closed toe and back shoes and that’s when these two problems become especially noticeable.

Bunions—this bone deformity occurs when the big toe begins to move out of place and causes the joint at the base of the big toe to enlarge and protrude. Closed toe shoes or high heels that force toes into the front of the shoe irritate the bunion as the shoe rubs over the bump. As the condition worsens, the skin becomes more irritated and tender and corns or calluses may also form making it increasingly painful to walk.

Haglund’s Deformity—this condition is also known as “pump bump” or retrocalcaneal bursitis. It is an enlargement that forms on the back of the heel bone—right about at the point where the back of a pump hits your foot, hence the name “pump bump.”

Getting Relief

For both of these conditions, our board certified podiatrist, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss will want to examine your foot and take a medical history; there are hereditary components to both bunions and Haglund’s Deformity. In some cases an x-ray may be necessary to completely assess the progression of the condition. Once a diagnosis is confirmed the foot doctor will recommend the right treatment for you. One simple way to relieve the pain of both of these problems is by changing the type of shoes you are wearing or using padding to protect the painful area. Other treatment methods aimed at pain relief may include anti-inflammatory medications and icing.

If autumn has brought you to the point where you no longer want to put up with the pain of a bunion or Haglund’s Deformity, contact our Waldorf or Clinton office for an appointment and learn how to get rid of the pain and make walking a pleasure again.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule (Closed for Lunch from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm)

Clinton Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Waldorf Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

California Office

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed