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Many people wear generic shoe inserts and insoles to alleviate minor discomfort in the feet while walking or exercising. But if you have frequent or chronic heel and foot pain, you may be a candidate for custom orthotics. These inserts fit the exact contours of your feet and target the cause of your pain. Orthotics can help to alleviate lower back pain, which often begins in your feet and travels upward. Orthotics also can correct alignment and improve your overall posture. Custom orthotics are designed to address not only your foot problems, but also to take into consideration your weight,…

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

If you are wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly, you may not even notice. Wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly can lead to a variety of problems. Common foot-related issues that poorly fitted shoes can cause include plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tendon that runs along the bottom of the foot), bunions (deformity of the big toe joint), blisters, corns, calluses and inflammation of the ball of the foot. Ways to ensure that your shoes fit correctly include making sure there is about a centimeter and a half between your toe and the edge of the shoe, checking that the…

There are ligaments that form a “capsule” around the joint at the base of a toe. These ligaments can become inflamed, which is known as capsulitis. This condition typically occurs in the second toe, although it can sometimes affect the third and fourth toes. Capsulitis is believed to be a reaction to dysfunctional foot mechanics that put an excessive amount of pressure on the ball of the foot beneath the second toe. Severe bunion deformity, an unstable arch, tight calf muscles, and having a second toe that is longer than the big toe can all contribute to this condition. Capsulitis…

When someone engages in regular physical activity, such as running, jumping, or other repetitive movements, this can stress the bones in the feet and lower legs. Over time, these repetitive movements and stress can lead to the development of tiny hairline cracks in the bones. These stress fractures can also develop when the type, duration, intensity, or frequency of physical activity occurs. Unlike more severe breaks due to acute trauma, which can cause immediate and intense pain, the pain from stress fractures can be duller and develop more gradually. Ballet dancers and athletes engaging in high impact sports such as…

A wart on the sole of your foot, also known as a plantar wart, is a benign, fleshy growth that is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Plantar warts are often painless and can go away on their own, however, this is not always the case. Warts can cause pain or discomfort if they are in areas that bear a lot of weight, grow inward due to pressure, or rub against your shoes and socks. Without treatment, plantar warts can also take years to disappear. One potential treatment option is cryotherapy. This is a fairly simple procedure in which the…

Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.

Ankle discomfort can manifest as pain, stiffness, swelling, bruising, redness, tingling, or an inability to put weight on the ankle. There are several possible causes of ankle pain with the most common being sprains and strains of the ankle’s ligaments, and fractures of one or more bones in the ankle. Achilles tendon ruptures are another possible cause of ankle pain. They can occur when the Achilles tendon tears away from the heel bone which can cause swelling, bruising, and pain in the ankle. Rheumatoid arthritis, where the body’s immune system attacks the lining on the inside of the joint capsule,…

Corns are rough, round, hardened masses of dead skin that develop on your feet from repeated pressure and friction. They can form on different parts of the foot and cause pain when irritated or rubbed against. There are three varieties of corns: hard, soft, and seed. Hard corns are just that—hard—and typically develop on the toes, while soft corns are often found between the toes and have a rubbery texture. Seed corns are smaller than hard or soft corns and usually form on the soles of the feet. Ill-fitting footwear often causes corns to develop. However, other conditions and circumstances…

Morton’s Neuroma is a non-cancerous enlargement commonly found in the nerve between the 3rd and 4th toes, however it may also occur between the 2nd and 3rd toes. Morton’s Neuroma is a leading cause of burning pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia). People with Morton’s neuroma often feel like they are walking on a pebble and can even experience shooting pain or tingling in the affected toes. Wearing high heels/tight shoes is often associated with Morton’s neuroma, as well as participating in high-impact sports which can stress the nerves between toes repeatedly. Having certain foot deformities…

Seeing your child have difficulty walking can be alarming. If you’ve noticed your child limping, you should first ask them if they have recently injured their leg or foot or stood on something sharp. Inspect their feet for any blisters, cuts, or wounds. If your child reports an injury and can’t put weight on the affected leg, or if you see a wound, you should seek medical care. If there is no readily apparent cause for the limping, it may be due to an underlying medical condition. There are many health problems that could lead to limping, such as juvenile…

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect approximately 15% of Americans who have diabetes. These wounds can be difficult to treat, as they often go undetected until they have progressed and have a poor blood supply, which makes the healing process very slow. Furthermore, people with diabetes are at greater risk of having an impaired immune system, making the wounds more likely to become infected. Fortunately, there have been many recent breakthroughs in wound treatment. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses wound dressing and airtight film with a suction device to cover the wound, drain fluid, and promote healthy new tissue growth.…

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Turf toe is a common injury among football and soccer players who play on artificial turf. Other athletes like dancers, gymnasts, and basketball players can also be at risk. Repeated pushing off of the big toe while on hard surfaces can cause stress to the joints and ligaments and lead them to eventually overstretch or tear. When the big toe is bent too far upward towards the foot, turf toe may occur. Common signs of turf toe include increasing pain when putting weight on the big toe, a “popping” sensation when the injury occurs, swelling or stiffness around the big…

Toe stretchers are a type of orthotic that may relieve toe pain. Conventional toe stretchers are usually made of gel, plastic, or silicone and slide between your toes, spreading them apart and positioning them away from the balls of the feet. They are worn while sitting or lying down and stretch the toe muscles and ligaments, increasing their flexibility, relieving pain, and preventing injuries. Toe stretcher socks are simply socks that separate the toes. They do not provide as much of a stretch as conventional toe stretchers, but still separate the toes and are warm and comfortable. Toe stretchers are…

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of neuropathy, or nerve damage. Diabetics are frequently diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage in the hands and feet. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the lower limbs include tingling, pins and needles, numbness, pain, or increased sensitivity in the feet. In some cases, the feet may change shape due to nerve damage. Sores and diabetic foot ulcers, which can be difficult to detect and tend to heal slowly and poorly, are also very common. If you have diabetes, it is important to be vigilant of any foot or ankle symptoms. Seeing…

Poor circulation can indicate a variety of problems throughout the body including high cholesterol and diabetes. Poor circulation is often noticed in the feet first, and there are a few signs that you should consult with a podiatrist. If your toes are red, purple, or blue, this unhealthy coloring may be a clear indication of poor circulation. Because blood encourages hair growth, lack of hair on the feet or lower legs may also be an indicator. Poor circulation can also cause the feet to be excessively cool (maybe even ice cold), and can cause the feet to fall asleep easily.…

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream crystallizing and lodging in the joints. It frequently affects the joints of the big toes, which causes sudden and intense pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness. Certain people are more at risk of developing gout than others. People who have medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis should be vigilant of any gout symptoms. Gout is also associated with obesity and with diets high in purines, which are found in seafood and red meat. Certain medications can…

Hammertoes are deformities occurring in toes (other than the big toe) where the joint at the base of the toe points up and the middle joint points down. This deformity causes a hammer-like appearance in the affected toe. Hammertoes form over time, and are often the result of wearing shoes that are too short for the foot, pointed at the toes, or have heels that are too high. Other contributing factors may include having a bunion or other condition that squeezes the toes into an unnatural, compacted position. A podiatrist may be able to straighten a hammertoe if they can…