Proper foot care is vital for individuals with diabetes to prevent serious complications. Keeping the skin soft with a gentle moisturizer helps avoid cracks that can lead to infections. Daily foot inspections are important for spotting blisters, cuts, or redness early. Washing feet with mild soap and drying them thoroughly, especially between the toes, helps maintain cleanliness and reduces moisture buildup. A chiropodist plays a key role by providing routine foot exams, managing calluses or nail care, and offering guidance on footwear and skin health. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a chiropodist who can help you to manage this serious condition. 

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with Paul A. Scotti, D.Ch from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

• Poor circulation

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers

• Infection 

• Corns and calluses

• Dry, cracked skin

• Nail disorders 

• Hammertoes 

• Bunions

• Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

• Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds

• Bruising or discoloration 

• Swelling

• Rash

• Foul odor

• Nail changes 

• Hair loss 

• Warmth and inflammation

• Deformities 

• Lower limb pain

• Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you detect anything unusual, seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout in the ankle can cause sudden, intense pain, swelling, and redness that may be mistaken for a sprain. This type of inflammatory arthritis occurs when uric acid builds up in the bloodstream and forms crystals in the joint. The ankle becomes inflamed, often without prior injury, due to these deposits. Gout is more common in men over 40 and women after menopause. It can be triggered by a diet high in purines, certain medications, excessive alcohol use, or other medical conditions like kidney disease and diabetes. People with recurring gout attacks may develop long-term joint damage or reduced mobility, if the condition is not addressed. A chiropodist can help identify whether gout is affecting your ankle through clinical evaluation and may recommend ongoing treatment to reduce pain and manage uric acid levels. Addressing underlying health issues and modifying diet may reduce flare frequency. If you have ankle pain from gout, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for expert advice.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can affect anyone. Please consult with Paul A. Scotti, D.Ch from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Gout?

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid crystallizes in a joint, often the joint of the big toe, it can bring about a gout attack. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of gout include: 

• Sudden and severe pain

• Swelling

• Redness

• Warmth 

• Joint stiffness

• Joint deformity

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will ask questions about your personal and family medical history, followed by an examination of the affected joint. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout. A sample of fluid taken from your joint can show whether it contains uric acid. 

Treatment

Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling, and inflammation. Patients with chronic gout can also use behavioral modifications such as diet, exercise, and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of gout attacks. Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid. If left untreated, this painful condition can leave your joint permanently damaged and swollen.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the underside of the heel bone, often linked to long-term strain on foot muscles and ligaments. They commonly develop in people with plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or abnormal walking patterns. Causes include repeated stress from walking or running, wearing poor footwear, and standing for long periods of time. Symptoms may include sharp heel pain when standing or walking, especially after rest. A chiropodist can help by diagnosing the condition, offering custom orthotics, recommending stretching exercises, and guiding proper footwear choices to relieve pressure, reduce pain, and support healing of the affected area. If you have developed a heel spur, it is suggested that you contact a chiropodist who can offer appropriate relief and treatment tips.

Heel spurs are bony outgrowths from calcium deposits. They occur at the back of the heel bone or underneath the heel bone and usually form in response to chronic irritation of the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia. They are often asymptomatic, but if you are suffering from heel pain, please consult with Paul A. Scotti, D.Ch from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms of Heel Spurs

• Tenderness

• Heel pain

• Pain when walking

• No symptoms

Diagnosis

Since heel spurs are often asymptomatic, they are usually only diagnosed when they are found on the heels incidentally during an X-ray taken for another reason. Nevertheless, if you have heel pain, and particularly if you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, it may be worth it to see if you have heel spurs too. 

Treatment

Unless they are causing symptoms, heel spurs typically don’t require any treatment. When they are symptomatic, treatments are typically conservative. They may include resting and icing the affected foot, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear, especially while exercising. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Broken toes are a frequent injury in children and often happen during play, sports, or accidentally bumping into furniture. These injuries can be painful but are sometimes overlooked because the toe may not look badly damaged. Common signs include swelling, bruising, limping, or tenderness when touched. Some children may not be able to move the toe or may avoid putting weight on the foot. Because children’s bones are still developing, even small fractures should be looked at carefully to avoid future problems with growth or alignment. Treatment includes rest, taping the toe to a neighboring toe, wearing a protective shoe, or limiting activity. If a child injures a toe and the pain does not improve or walking becomes difficult, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist for an exam, ensuring the toe heals properly.

A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, please consult with Paul A. Scotti, D.Ch from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

• Throbbing pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Cracking sound at the time of injury

• Difficulty bearing weight on the toe

• Difficulty walking

• Toe resting at an unnatural angle

Diagnosis

Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays. 

Treatment

The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.