Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain or a simple turning of the ankle results in pain, bruising and tenderness over the outside portion of the foot and ankle and at times on the inside portion of the foot and ankle.
|
Arthritis
Arthritis means inflammation of the joint. There are approximately 38 causes of arthritis and most of these conditions affect the human foot. The most common of these conditions is osteoarthritis. This is the simple wearing and tearing away of the cartilage of the joints. Age, excessive weight, ill-fitting shoes and trauma (injury) are the basic causes of osteoarthritis. Fortunately, this condition is very treatable.
|
Athlete's Foot / Fungus
Athlete's foot is an infection of the skin and the nails, usually on the feet. The infection is usually found on the skin between the toes. Sometimes the fungal infection spreads to the toenails, which become thick and distorted. A fungal infection is one of the most difficult nail and foot conditions to treat.
|
Bunions
Bunions are usually characterized by a lump or bump that is red, swollen and/or painful on the inside of the foot in and around the big toe joint.
|
Burning Feet
Burning feet is a common complaint among many groups of people, most commonly in the older group over 50 years of age. This symptom is most prevalent in diabetics who present with a symptom of mixed neuropathy with loss of sensation on the plantar aspect (bottom of the feet).
|
Corns / Callouses
Corns and calluses are the most common conditions on the skin of the foot. A corn, which is a thickening of the outer layer of skin, usually occurs on the tops of the toes. Calluses, which are the same condition on the bottom of the feet, are caused by sheering pressures. Corns and calluses are your foots defense against friction and pressure.
|
Diabetic Foot Care / Neuropathy
Diabetes is probably the most damaging disease that a patient can encounter with regards to their feet. Neuropathy is the loss of sensation, and the patient may not be aware that he/she is developing sores on the bottom of his/her foot, therefore it is important to have regular checkups with your podiatrist.
|
Flat Feet / High Arches
Flat feet of themselves are not necessarily a problem. But people with a flat foot or the opposite condition, highly arched feet, that are painful, are certainly in need of treatment. Flat feet and high arches that are associated with ankle, knee or low back pain are also in need of treatment. The causes of flat feet are many, but in the older age group decreased exercise and increased weight add to the mechanical disturbances of the foot.
|
Foot Odor / Sweaty Feet
Sweaty feet and smelly feet are two very common, annoying conditions of the feet. While some cases of excessive smelling or sweating of the feet are throughout the whole body, most causes of these conditions are usually of a local cause.
|
Fractures
Fractures are usually the result of altered biomechanics, in that the structures of the foot are either mechanically not stable and/or the bones of the foot are subjected to repetitive micro trauma. The symptoms are pain, redness and swelling.
|
Gout
A systematic disorder that affects the big toe joint. Gout is the end result of a build-up of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid crystallizes and settles in the joints in the body, most often in the big-toe joint. When it does so, it produces an excruciating pain. The onset of an attack of gout can be sudden and vicious. It is not uncommon for the victim to be awakened by this excruciating pain in the middle of the night.
|
Hammertoes
A result of an imbalance of the muscle structures of the toes, when the toes become crooked, bent, or buckle under causing joints to protrude.
|
Heel pain / Plantar Fasciitis
A condition in which the bottom of the heel is extremely painful. A heel spur is a bony overgrowth on the bottom of your heel bone that can cause Heel Pain. The heel spur is usually a result of an inflamed ligament (plantar fascia) on the bottom of the foot that attaches to the heel bone.
|
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the nail is cutting into the flesh. This condition is usually very painful and is usually associated with infection of the toe. A nail is ingrown when one or both corners or sides of the nail grow into the skin of the toe. Irritation, redness, uncomfortable sensation of warmth, as well as swelling, pain and infection can result from an ingrown toenail.
|
Neuroma
A neuroma is usually situated between the third and fourth toes. They are characterized by a sharp, lancinating type pain, usually when the patient is wearing shoes.
|
Orthotics (Arch Supports)
Orthotics (Arch Supports - Custom Molded and Prefabricated) are devices that are used to control abnormal foot function. When the foot is not functioning correctly, it will produce painful areas. The signs and symptoms of altered biomechanics of the foot are usually registered as pain. An orthotic can relieve that pain by supporting the ligaments and the bone structures of the feet.
|
Ulcers
Foot ulcers are generally a breakdown of the skin on the plantar aspect (bottom) of the foot. They have many causes, but the most common are diabetes, and vascular insufficiency. Diabetes or vascular insufficiency should be taken very seriously as a good warning sign of impending loss of limb.
|
Warts
Warts are caused by a virus and are contagious. They may grow singularly or in groups. They are painful and appear particularly on the bottom of the feet.
|