Ankle
Sprain: An ankle sprain
is a twisting of the ankle causing a partial or complete tear
of the ligaments that hold the ankle together. The severity
of the sprain usually dictates treatment. Improper care following
an ankle sprain can lead to a more severe injury and potential
healing problems. If you sprain your ankle, immobilize the
involved area, apply ice and seek professional medical care
for a thorough evaluation. Treatment of ankle sprains may
involve splinting, cast immobilization, physical therapy,
and in severe cases surgery.
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Athletes'
Foot: "Athlete's foot" is a fungal infection of
the skin. The warm, moist environment of shoes is ideal for
fungus growth. Fungus infections of the skin and nails are common both in athletes and the general population. Scaling,
redness, burning, itching and dryness on the bottom of the
foot or between the toes are common. Antifungal medication
may be necessary for treatment.
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Bunion: A bunion is an enlarged bony bump on the inside of the foot
at the big toe joint. There are many factors that cause bunions--heredity,
ill-fitting shoes, and flat feet are
the most common. If left untreated, bunions may become larger
and painful. If bunion symptoms are mild, accommodative bunion
padding, shoe gear modifications and orthotics may be sufficient
treatment. More severe bunions may require surgery.
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Bunionette: Also known as a "tailor's bunion", a bunionette is an enlarged
bony bump similar to a regular bunion but found on the outside
of the foot at the base of the little toe. Frequently bothered
by shoe gear (especially ones that are narrow in the toe box)
a painful reddened area may develop over the bump. Padding
and wearing wider shoes may be all the treatment necessary.
Orthotic devices may also, however, be valuable in treatment.
For some people surgery is necessary.
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Callus: Callus is a thickening of the skin on the bottom of the foot
or heel. Calluses develop anywhere there is an increased,
prolonged area of pressure. These pressures may arise from
structural changes in the foot, such as a prominent bone at
the ball of the foot, or ill-fitting shoe gear. The wear pattern
of shoe gear often coincides with the area of increased pressure
and underlying callus. Treatments include trimming and padding
the callus. Orthotic devices are often helpful in callus management
by controlling excessive foot movements leading to callus
formation. Surgery is sometimes required.
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Corn: A corn is a thickening of the skin (similar to a callus) but
found on or between a toe. A contracted toe (i.e. hammertoe)
and associated shoe gear irritation are often responsible.
Applying an "acid patch" like those often found in the store,
seldom permanently removes the corn and should be avoided.
A corn is best treated through a combination of methods modified
as needed for each individual. Common treatments include corn
trimming, padding, shoe modifications, and surgery.
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Flat
Feet: A flat foot is a foot without an arch. Heredity
is the primary cause of flat feet. Many infants have flat
appearing feet that lessen with time. There are different
degrees of flat feet, however, and some children may not "grow
out" of a having a low arch. A flat foot may lead to the formation
of bunions, hammertoes, or heel pain. Leg, knee, hip and low
back pain are also often associated with flat feet. An orthotic
device can be used to help support and control the flat foot.
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Foot
Odor: Foul smelling feet are usually caused by
an overgrowth of bacteria. Proper foot hygiene and appropriate
footwear alone will often help control foot odor. Sometimes,
however, antibacterial medication is necessary.
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Foot
Ulcer: A foot ulcer is an open sore. Prolonged
pressure on the foot causes the skin to react, forming a blister
or callus. If the pressure continues,
the skin may actually die resulting in an open sore or ulcer.
Ulcers are most commonly found on the ball of the foot, the
big toe, and the heel. People who have poor circulation, neuropathy
(loss of sensation), or diabetes are at a greater risk for
developing ulcers. Preventative measures, such as pressure
relieving custom- molded orthoses are paramount in managing
high risk individuals. Should an ulcer develop, the aim of
treatment then becomes preventing bacterial infection and
further ulcer formation. To help the ulcer heal, frequent
ulcer cleansing and topical medications may be employed. Pressure
relieving orthoses, antibiotics, and surgery may also be necessary.
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Fracture: A fracture is a complete break of a bone. Some fractures can
produce relatively little pain and actually go undetected.
Improper care after an injury can lead to a more severe injury
and potential healing problems. If a fracture of the foot
is suspected, the involved area should be immobilized and
evaluated by a Podiatrist. Depending on the location and severity
of the break the treatment can range from splinting or bracing
to cast immobilization or surgery.
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Fungal
Nail: A toenail that becomes infected with fungus
may become thickened, discolored, brittle and hard. The dark,
enclosed, and often sweaty environment of shoes makes toenail
fungus common in our society. Athlete's
foot (fungus of the skin) is common for the same reasons.
Several treatment options are available (depending on the
severity of the problem)and include nail trimming, topical
antifungal medications, oral antifungals, and surgical nail
care.
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Hammertoe: A hammertoe is a contracted toe at the joint that takes on
a "claw-like" appearance. Heredity and ill-fitting shoe gear
are two of the most common causes of hammertoes. Once the
toe becomes bent like a "hammer" the chance of local irritation
increases and finding comfortable shoes becomes more difficult.
If the toe is subjected to repeated shoe gear irritation a
painful corn may develop. A variety of
treatment options are available for this common problem including
padding and splinting the hammertoe, trimming the corn, and
surgery.
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Heel
Spur: Heel spurs are painful "spurs" of bone on
the bottom or back of the heel. Spurs often develop in areas
of chronic stress or irritation. Shoes may further irritate
a spur on the back of the heel causing an area of redness
and extreme pain. Spurs on the bottom of the heel are often
associated with Plantar Fasciitis.
Treatments include shoe gear modifications, orthoses, padding,
anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes surgery to remove
the spur.
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Ingrown
Nail: A nail becomes ingrown when portion of the
toenail curves and grows into the flesh of the toe. Many people
suffer from ingrown nails. Toenail injury, sports, ill-fitting
shoes, and improper nail care are just some of the causes
of ingrown nails. Sometimes an ingrown nail can become infected.
If this happens, an area of redness, swelling, and drainage
may develop along the nail border. Treatment consists of either
trimming the ingrown nail, or corrective surgery on the offending
nail border.
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Neuroma: A neuroma, also called "Morton's neuroma", is a pinched nerve
at the forepart of the foot that may cause the toes to become
numb, burn or tingle. The most commonly involved area is between
the third and fourth toes. Anything that causes long term
irritation of the nerve can cause a neuroma. The most common
causes include abnormal foot movement and tight shoes. Control
of the abnormal foot motion via orthoses is often the first
line of treatment. If symptoms persist, cortisone and/or physical
therapy may be used. If conservative measures are unhelpful
surgical intervention is sometimes necessary.
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Metatarsalgia: Metatarsalgia is pain and tenderness in the region of the
metatarsal bones. The most common area involved is across
the ball of the foot where the metatarsal bones are frequently
subjected to daily irritation. A high heel shoe dramatically
increases the pressures on the ball of the foot and thus is
a common cause of painful metatarsalgias.
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Plantar
Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation
of the ligament (plantar fascia) in the arch that runs from
the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Symptoms range from
low grade pain on the bottom of the heel to more pronounced
pain throughout the arch. The pain is often greatest in the
morning with the first steps of the day. A heel
spur may be seen in conjunction with plantar fasciitis.
This painful syndrome is treated with orthoses, anti-inflammatory
medications, physical therapy and surgery.
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Pump
Bump: A "pump bump" (also called "Haglund's Deformity") refers to a painful bony bump
on the back of the heel. The bump often is irritated by high
heel shoes or "pumps". A modification of shoe gear, accommodative
padding, orthoses, and surgery to remove the bump are all
treatment options.
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Stress
Fracture: A stress fracture is an over-stressing
of a bone causing a partial break. A persistent area of pain
and swelling in the foot, common with stress fractures, should
be evaluated by a Podiatrist. Without proper management a
stress fracture can lead to a more serious complete fracture and prolonged healing. Walking cast boots or special shoes
may be used to treat stress fractures.
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Sweaty
Feet: Excessive sweating may cause foot odor or
lead to athlete's foot. Proper
foot hygiene and appropriate footwear will help control the
sweating and prevent associated problems. Topical medications
may be prescribed.
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Tendonitis: A tendonitis is a painful inflammation of a tendon. An Achilles
tendonitis, for example, is an inflammation of the heel cord
on the back of foot. An injury, overuse, or simple wear and
tear can lead to a tendonitis. Treating a tendonitis may require
physical therapy, medication, orthoses, and sometimes surgery.
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Warts: Warts are abnormal growths on the skin caused by a common
virus. A wart found on the bottom of the foot is called a
plantar wart. Warts may appear as a solitary bump on the skin
(much like a small callus) or in a cluster
covering large areas. Warts may or may not be painful, but
without treatment may increase in size or spread. Many treatments
are available including painless topical acids, oral medications,
and laser or surgical removal. Over-the-counter acid medications
should be avoided.
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