Commonly Treated Conditions
The following is a list of common foot and ankle problems encountered by our patients. Click on the condition to expand for more information.
Ankle Pain
Ankle ligaments connect the bones of the leg to the bones of the feet. When one of these ligaments sustains damage, it is commonly referred to as an ankle sprain. Sprained ankles are common among athletes.
Athlete’s Foot
Tinea Pedis, most frequently known as Athlete’s Foot, occurs when fungi grow on the feet and cause a skin infection. It is a common condition among athletes and children, but it can affect anyone.
Cracked Heels
Early stages of fissures on the feet, particularly the heel, involve the splitting of the skin to produce unsightly cracks. If heel cracks remain untreated, the cracks can progress into fissures.
Diabetic Foot Pain
Diabetes often affects the feet first, therefore it is important for diabetics to have a yearly assessment with a podiatrist.
Heel Pain
There are many causes for heel pain, some more serious than others. Unusually long periods of walking or standing can irritate the heel and can be managed quite easily.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown nails occur when the toenail begins to curve and grow into the skin. There are many causes of ingrown toenails. Some of these are uncontrollable and just bad luck.
Hammer Toes
Beginning as a slight deformity of the toe, hammertoes are little toes that bend at the end joint. Factors that play a role in the bending toes are tight shoes, previous injuries and genetics.
Smelly Feet
Many adults and children suffer from smelly feet. Excessive sweating causing bacterial growth is often the main cause for foot odour but it can also occur from fungal infections as well.
Shin Splints
Shin splints presents as pain to the front of the lower leg. Shin splints are most commonly caused by inflammation to the sheath surrounding the tibial bone.
Warts on Feet
Plantar warts appear anywhere on the foot. They may feel like a lump under the foot and are usually only painful with direct weight to the area or when pressure is applied from either side.
Over Pronation (Flat Feet)
Adult acquired flatfoot (Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction- PTTD) and flexible flatfoot are conditions that may cause the flattening of the arches.
Metatarsalgia
Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, metatarsalgia, is a common symptom of several foot conditions.
Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of neuropathy affecting the peripheral nerves of the feet. Damage to peripheral nerves can alter the ability to sense pain or temperature.
Gout
Gout is an extremely painful condition that affects the joints and tissues, most commonly the big toe. It is a result of crystallized uric acid building up in the joints.
Bunions & Bunionettes
Bunions are a result of structural changes of the foot bones and can become progressively worse with time. Bunions occurs due to a combination of factors including poorly fitting footwear.
Claw Toes
Tight fitting shoes that squeeze your feet are the most common cause for toes curling and digging into the sole of the shoe.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. When a person is walking and running the Achilles tendon aids in lifting the heel from the ground.
Blisters
Those who walk or run long distances are no strangers to foot blisters. When the foot intensely and repeatedly rubs up against the inside of the shoe, a blister can form.
Calluses
Calluses are hard, thickened areas of skin that are generally not painful and require no treatment. This hardened skin is the body’s way of protecting itself from diffuse pressure or friction.
Corns
Corns are common foot conditions that occur from repeated focal pressure on the foot, such as rubbing of the skin against a shoe, wearing no socks with shoes, or foot deformities.
Growing Pains
“Don’t worry – they’ll grow out of it,” is a common response to parents’ concerns about the development of their children’s feet or legs.
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue that stretches between the heel to the toe (the fascia) becomes inflamed.
Pregnancy & Feet
The load on the feet increases dramatically due to normal weight gain and postural changes associated with pregnancy.
Foot and Ankle Pain
It is extremely important that you do not ignore pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles. This problem may become chronic and cause you to alter your walking style or activity pattern.
Leg and Knee Pain
It is important if you experience leg or knee pain that you don’t ignore it. If untreated the pain could be causing irreversible damage to your joints.
Nail Fungus
DSO makes up the majority of fungal infections of the toe, caused by the same fungi that cause Athlete’s Foot.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a disease of the arteries that reduces the circulation to a body part- other than the brain or the heart.
Reoccurring Sports Injuries
Often a technique flaw is not through lack of trying or coaching but an underlying biomechanical instability holding the athlete back.
