An injury that is common to dancers, runners, and athletes involved in high-impact sports is stress fractures. A stress fracture is a hairline crack in a bone, often located in the feet. The majority of stress fractures occur in the metatarsals, but can also be felt in the heel and sometimes the ankle. At first, it may feel like a minor pain or ache in a specific area of the foot. Usually, no visible sign of an injury is present, possibly making it easy to dismiss. Over time, however, pain from a stress fracture will escalate, especially when the activity that has caused it is continued. Eventually, the pain becomes so great that the ability to stand or move becomes inhibited. The main cause of stress fractures is repeated pressure on the affected bone or bones. Other reasons stress fractures can happen include starting a new activity, increasing the intensity of a workout, or changing workout surfaces. Overuse stress fractures occur when a weight-bearing movement is repeated so often that the bones and their supporting muscles do not have enough time to recover between workouts. If you believe you are experiencing pain from stress fractures of the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist.

A stress fracture often requires medical attention as it can progress and worsen over time. Please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

A stress fracture refers to a fine crack in a bone. This type of fracture is especially common in the feet, as they often endure repetitive pressure from daily activities such as walking or running. Stress fractures occur when the affected bone can not support the load being placed on it. Stress fractures in the foot can occur in any bone, but often affect the metatarsal bones which connect the toes to the rest of the foot, the heel bone, or the navicular bone on the top of the foot. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stress fracture may include: 

• Deep, dull pain
• Sharp, localized pain
• Intermittent pain
• Tenderness
• Weakness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Changes in the biomechanics of the foot

Diagnosis

Stress fractures in the foot are diagnosed via medical history and a physical exam. You may also need to have diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, or an ultrasound performed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out any other problems.  

Treatment

Nonsurgical treatment options include resting, icing, compressing and elevating the affected foot, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications, modifying your footwear, wearing a cast, and using crutches. Certain types of foot fractures, such as navicular fractures, respond poorly to nonsurgical treatment and may need surgery to fully heal. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

Foot pain can affect how you live your life, as it increases the difficulty of carrying out even the simplest daily activities. Foot pain is commonly felt in three regions, the heel, the arch and the toes. The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. When the ligament beneath the feet, called the plantar fascia, becomes irritated it tears and causes inflammation and pain. If the arch of the foot collapses, it results in worsening the plantar fasciitis and increasing the pain level. This sets up the perfect environment for heel spurs to develop. These bony outgrowths, usually on the bottom of the heel, can be painful when weight is applied. Toe pain can be caused by bunions, a deformity of the big toe that can affect how your weight is distributed. It may increase pressure on the ball of the foot. The bunion, a bony bump on the side of the big toe, also may rub against the inside of a shoe and cause further pain. Athletes and dancers often place a great deal of weight on the first joint of the big toe, causing a condition known as turf toe. When this joint is pushed past its limits, the ligament stretches and causes severe pain. If you are experiencing any type of foot pain that will not subside, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for an exam and suggested treatment options.

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

• Plantar fasciitis
• Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
• Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Toe pain
• Ball of foot pain
• Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
• Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

A blister is a fluid-filled bubble that forms on the skin. The fluid can be clear or contain some blood. When blisters develop between the toes, it can be painful, particularly if one spends a lot of time on their feet. Two types of blisters that can form between the toes are those caused by friction and those not due to friction. These blisters look alike, but their location and how they come about differ. Friction or pinch blisters usually result from repeated rubbing of one toe against the other or against the inner lining of a shoe and the skin becomes irritated. These blisters often form near the tip or base of a toe. Non-friction blisters often come from an allergy or infection. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that can cause blisters between the toes. Insect bites or an allergic reaction to the material of one’s socks can cause such blisters as well. For non-friction blisters, a good foot health routine may help resolve the problem. This includes washing, drying, and moisturizing the feet daily, cutting the toenails frequently and straight across, and making sure to examine the feet regularly. For both types of blisters, wearing well-fitting shoes that provide ample room for the toes to move will help. One should not pop these blisters as it is easy for bacteria to enter through open skin. They can be covered with bandages while healing takes place. If you suffer from toe blister pain, it may be hard to tell which type of blister you have and it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Blisters can usually be treated at home, however, if you have recurring blisters or experience significant discomfort or pain, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is a Blister? 

A blister is a small pocket of fluid in the upper skin layers and is one of the body’s natural responses to injury or pressure. Blisters can also result from burns, fungal or viral skin infections, and the feet are particularly prone due to ill-fitting footwear and friction. Friction on the skin causes the upper layer of skin to separate from the lower layers. The space that this separation creates then becomes filled with a liquid called serum, which protects the lower layers of skin. 

Treatment 

If you notice a blister on your foot, you can cover it with a soft bandage or dressing to protect it. Popping the blister is discouraged. Doing so exposes the raw skin underneath it to bacteria and also raises the risk of infection. If a blister pops naturally, let it drain before covering it with a bandage. Blisters usually heal on their own or with home treatment, however, if your blister is recurring, very painful, or appears infected, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Prevention

You can help to prevent blisters by wearing comfortable, well-fitted shoes. Keep your feet dry by wearing moisture-wicking socks and dust your feet with talcum powder if they tend to get sweaty. If you have areas on your feet that are more susceptible to blisters, you might be able to prevent the blister from forming by covering it with a pad. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

Active children and young teenagers with heel pain may need to be checked for Sever’s disease. This foot condition affects the heel's growth plate and can cause difficulty while walking. Noticeable signs can include parents noticing their child walking on their tiptoes or limping. The heel and surrounding area may also be red. Treatment can begin with temporarily stopping the activity that caused this condition, and it is beneficial to perform specific stretches which can provide flexibility and strength. When these are practiced several times per day, the recovery may be accelerated, ranging from two weeks to two months. Additionally, elevating and resting the affected foot may aid in recovery. If your child is active and has heel pain, it is suggested that you contact a chiropodist who can offer a proper diagnosis for Sever’s disease and offer effective treatment methods.

Sever’s disease typically affects young children and teenagers. If your child complains of foot pain, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Sever’s Disease? 

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone. It is typically caused by overuse due to repetitive activities such as running, jumping, and playing certain sports. This condition most frequently affects children between the ages of 8 and 14. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of Sever’s disease include: 

• Pain in the back or bottom of the heel
• Pain when the sides of the heel are squeezed
• Limping or walking on tiptoes to avoid putting pressure on the heel
• Difficulty running, jumping, or participating in usual activities
• Fatigue 

Diagnosis

Sever’s disease is diagnosed by taking a thorough medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging studies, such as an X-ray, can help rule out other injuries like a fracture. 

Treatment

Sever’s disease typically heals without any long-term complications. Treatment involves resting the affected foot by reducing typical activities, wearing orthotics to support the foot, immobilizing the affected foot, taking medications to reduce pain and inflammation, and stretching the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON .