Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. They can develop from an inherited structural defect, excess stress on your foot, or can result from an existing medical condition.
For the most part, bunions require no medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following, a podiatrist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Corns
Corns tend to be smaller than calluses and are the hard center is surrounded by irritated skin. While corns can be found on the bottom of the foot where pressure is usually applied, it is more common that you find corns on the tops and sides of your toes and even between your toes. When pressure is applied, corns can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Calluses
Calluses, on the other hand, don’t usually cause pain. They usually develop on the soles of your feet, especially under the heels or balls, on your palms, or on your knees. Calluses vary in size and shape and are often larger than corns.
Diabetic Foot Care
Daily preventative care can help you decrease your risk of developing these other serious conditions like ulcers and infections. Inspecting your feet at the end of the day to look for any abnormalities, maintaining proper hygiene, keeping your feet warm in cold weather, encouraging blood flow in the feet, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle can discourage other conditions from developing.
Warts
Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus and cause tiny cuts and breaks on the bottom of your feet.
While most plantar warts are not a major health concern, it is advised you see a doctor to have the warts examined and removed. Some symptoms include small, rough lesions on the base of the foot, calluses in one spot, and tenderness when walking or standing for long periods of time.
Flat Feet
Flat foot is a condition where the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened which causes the sole of the foot to touch the floor when standing upright. It is likely for flat feet to be caused by the arches not fully developing during childhood and is considered a very common and painless condition. On the other hand, flat feet can occur after an injury or from the normal aging process.
While it is common not to experience any pain or symptoms of flat feet, some people do tend to sense pain in the heel or arch area. Physical activity can irritate the area and inflame the foot along the inside of the ankle. This can be caused by the tendon that is supporting the arch being stretched as it is depreciating.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a specific type of fungal infection that typically begins between the toes. A common cause of athlete's foot is sweaty feet that are confined to tight shoes for a long period of time. Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete’s foot is contagious and should be carefully monitored and treated. Athlete’s foot can easily be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection is likely to recur. Prescription medications also are available.
Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle occurs when you twist your ankle in an abnormal way causing the ligaments holding your ankle bones together to stretch or tear. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although you may just need proper rest and pain medications to heal, it is important to have the sprain looked at by a professional to determine the severity and proper treatment.
Toenail Fungus
Fungal infections in the toe or fingernails can appear as thickened, discolored, or disfigured. While it may seem like the condition is just an aesthetic concern, fungal infections can lead to worsened symptoms and pain. Diabetes, a weakened immune system, and the normal aging process are all causes associated with fungal infections. It is more likely for senior citizens and adults to develop a fungal infection as opposed to children.
Ankle Fractures
There are three bones and two joints in each ankle. Breaking or fracturing an ankle can mean breaking or fracturing any or multiple bones, as well as tearing and stretching of ligaments and tissues that surround them.
Broken and fractured ankles are typically caused by falls, car accidents, or sports-related trauma. Since severe sprains can sometimes hide symptoms of a broken or fractured bone, it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a foot injury.
Symptoms of a broken or fractured ankle include bruising, swelling, severe pain, the inability for the ankle to bear weight, tenderness, discoloration, and/or deformity.
Treatments typically include a cast or brace. Depending on the severity of the injury, corrective surgery may be needed to secure the bones in place for proper alignment.
Wound Care
Ulcers on the foot may not always come with pain, but they are serious conditions that should be evaluated by a medical professional. The symptoms of ulcers may include drainage, or red, inflamed tissue. To properly diagnose and develop a treatment plan x-rays may be ordered.
Sports Injuries
Below are some of the most common sports and sports-related injuries we see in our office.
- Martial Arts and Kickboxing: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, and ankle sprains. Proper stretching is vital to injury prevention, specifically, a minimum of 15 minutes before beginning exercise.
- Aerobics: With impact forces reaching up to six times the force of gravity and 26 bones in the foot, proper shoes are extremely important when participating in aerobics. Shoes must provide shock absorption and proper cushioning, as well as stability.
- Team Sports: Baseball, basketball, soccer, football, field hockey, and lacrosse often lead to foot and ankle injuries. Artificial surfaces, improper footwear, and inadequate stretching are recipes for disaster.
Make sure to wear proper shoes and stretch for at least 15 minutes before playing sports.
Pediatrics
At Alliance And Salem Foot And Ankle Clinics, we believe that podopediatrics and preventative podiatry care is essential for ensuring children develop healthy, strong feet and sure footing as they mature into adults. We all know that your feet need to last a lifetime, and with preventative care during development, you have the unique ability to help your child avoid life-altering disabilities long before they manifest as progressive podiatric deformities.
When it comes to monitoring the development of a child’s gait or feet development, it’s important to know that just because a child isn’t complaining of pain or discomfort in their feet, doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering from a podiatry-related problem. Challenges such as difficulty walking or running, and even excessive stumbling and clumsiness are all signs of potential underlying podiatric issues that can be treated in our office. It is for this reason that early intervention is critical to avoiding foot problems later in life.
Despite popular belief, most people won’t "grow out" of foot problems and the majority of podiatry issues are completely treatable. When a young child’s feet receive the proper care and attention from an experienced specialist, we can address podiatric problems (such as flat feet) head on, long before they become a life-altering condition. By outlining the best treatment plan, we can help guide a child’s growing feet into the normal, pain-free adult life they deserve.
Preventative care is especially important for children playing sports. With frequent podiatric evaluations during a child’s development, we are able to care for and optimize a child’s foot and lower body posture to reduce the risk of injury while preparing for the demands of sports and physical activities. Whether it’s treating a present problem such as having flat feet or preventing potential painful, life-altering conditions, INSERT PRACTICE NAME is here to help you and your family every step of the way.
Surgery
In most cases, invasive methods are not necessary to correct many foot disorders. Though in more extreme conditions, surgery may be required. The need for surgery will depend on the severity of the condition, the amount of pain the patient is experiencing, and the patient’s past response to various treatments.
The most common conditions which may require surgery are:
- Hammer Toe: deformity of the lesser toes caused by a tendon or joint imbalance
- Bunions: hallux valgus is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe, becoming inflamed and painful
- Tibial posterior disorder: the tibial posterior is a muscle which makes up the shape of the arch of the foot. In the case of a damaged or collapsed arch, this will need to be rebuilt surgically
- Achilles tendon injuries: may require a lengthening process according to the severity
- Ankle arthritis: damage can result in osteophytes or lumps around the edge of the joints which cause pain and inflammation
- Ankle replacement surgery: reconstructive surgery replacing the ankle joint after a severe injury
Surgery will only be considered once all other treatment methods have been unsuccessful. Some other treatment methods include medications, exercise, foot care, modified shoes or orthotics.
Talk to your doctor today if your pain and discomfort continue after attempting non-invasive means of treatment to discuss surgery and see if it might be right for you.