What Is Jackson-Weiss Syndrome?

Jackson-Weiss Syndrome is a rare condition, so rare in fact there are no published statistics. The condition is a genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation in chromosome 10, the FGFR10 gene, and is responsible for defects in the face, feet, and head.
It affects both males and females equally and may appear as the first time in a family, or be passed down from generation to generation. Intelligence and life expectancy are typically normal. Babies born with Jackson-Weiss Syndrome have a skull that fuses together too early, called craniosynostosis. This causes a bulging forehead, misshapen skull, widely spaced eyes, and a very flat middle section of the face.
Foot deformities are common in those who have Jackson-Weiss Syndrome and may include:

• Wide, short, big toes. 
• Big toe bends away from other toes.
• Bones of some toes may be fused together.
• Webbing of toes.

Treatment is generally surgical and targets the specific deformity.
If your child is born with Jackson-Weiss Syndrome and has foot deformities, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

10 Tips For Bunion Surgery Recovery

1. Even though it might be tempting and you feel up to it, avoid walking immediately after bunion surgery as it  may prevent proper bone and tissue healing.
2. During the first 3-5 days after surgery, keep your foot elevated as often as possible.
3. To keep inflammation down, ice your foot 4-5 times for 20 minutes throughout the day.
4. If your podiatrist prescribed a surgical shoe or walking boot for use after your surgery, make sure to wear it. The purpose of these shoes is to keep your healing toe in place. Walking too soon in street shoes will compromise your healing process.
5. Water and excessive moisture near the scar may introduce bacteria that can infect the fresh wound. When taking a shower or bath, wrap your foot in plastic bags with a rubber band to keep water out.
6. Take your full course of antibiotic medication to prevent infection.
7. If your podiatrist prescribes physical therapy to repair mobility in the joint, go for the prescribed length and be good about doing the stretches at home.
8. Talk with your podiatrist about what stretches you can be doing at home, if no physical therapy is prescribed.
9. Invest in several pairs of good quality shoes, sneakers, boots, etc. When your feet have the right support, the opportunity for foot deformities to occur or recur is less.
10. If you have the following symptoms immediately after bunion surgery, call your podiatric surgeon right away: fever, warmth and burning in scar area, inability to tolerate pain, or medication side effects.
Reference: http://www.healtharticles101.com/10-tips-for-successful-bunion-surgery-recovery/
If you have a bunion, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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Can My Child Have A Bunion?

When we think about bunions, we think of our mothers and grandmothers. Their feet, deformed after years

of wearing inappropriate shoes and having bad feet. But would we ever think of our young daughters? Juvenile bunions affect children and teens, especially girls, between the ages of 10 and 15. For the most part juvenile bunions are without symptoms of pain because they do not have the degenerative changes adults face. The first sign that your child may have a problem with a bunion is they will have trouble putting their feet into shoes. Some children will feel self-conscious about their bunions. Other symptoms will include:

• A big toe joint that is red or swollen. 
• Complaints of foot pain when walking, running, or playing.
• Problems moving the big toe joint.
• A thickening of the skin on the bottom of the foot.

Juvenile bunions are more severe as the onset of the foot deformity is earlier and it progressives very quickly. When left untreated, it can cause significant deformity and disability. They are typically treated aggressively to prevent recurrence in later years. Roughly 50% of juvenile bunions are associated with flexible flat foot, as the flattening of the arch and the large big toe are secondary to hypermobility of joints.
When it comes to foot wear and children, ensure your child does not wear ones that are too small or too tight. Young girls with juvenile bunions should stay away from heels and narrow/pointy shoes because this increases the risk for bunions to increase.
Treatment for a juvenile bunion depends on severity, degree of pain, and how quickly the bunion is progressing. Growth plates in children tend to close when girls are around the age of 16 and boys when they are 17. Closing of growth plates dictates when surgery can be accomplished safely.
Conservative treatment options for juvenile bunions include:

• Custom orthotics, which control excessive motion
• Changes in shoes, to take pressure off the bunion
• Padding/taping, use to relieve irritation and discomfort
• Anti-inflammatory medications to help with the pain.
• Physical therapy to help with pain relief. 

If your child has a bunion, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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You Don't Have To Be A Bird To Have Claw Toes

Toe deformities often get blamed on wearing shoes that are too tight or too small, which can be the case in hammertoes and mallet toes. However, claw toes are the result of nerve damage from diabetes or alcoholism, which weakens the muscles in your foot. Claw toes claw at the soles of your shoes, creating painful calluses. Without treatment this deformity can become worse over time, even becoming a permanent problem.
Symptoms of claw toes include:

• Toes that are bent upwards from the joint at the ball of the foot. 
• Toes bend downward at the middle joints towards the sole of your shoe.
• Toes may also bend at the top joint, curling under, like mallet toes.
• Corns on the top of the foot or on the ball of the foot.

A podiatrist can effectively diagnose a claw toe, using tests to determine if the cause is neurological, or trauma or inflammation.
In the early stages of a claw toe deformity, the toe will be flexible. However, the longer the condition progresses, the more rigid it will become. If the deformity is caught at an early stage, simple taping or splinting may be prescribed to retrain the toe to the correct position. Your podiatrist may also recommend:

• Wearing shoes with roomy toe boxes and avoiding tight shoes and high heels.
• Use your hand to stretch the affected toe to the correct position. 
• Exercise your toes by performing towel pick-ups or marble pick-ups with your feet.

Claw toes at an advanced stage will require other, more complex treatment:

• A special pad to redistribute your weight and relieve pressure on the ball of your foot, like an orthotic.
• Extra deep shoes with additional space in the toe box to accommodate the claw toe.
• Have your shoes stretched.
• Surgery to correct the deformity.

If you have a claw toe and are experiencing pain, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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