Anyone who runs for exercise four or more times a week is wise to have more than one pair of running shoes. Experts have found that not only does rotating shoes help to protect your feet from injury, it also adds life to the shoes and improves performance. Experts suggest that running shoes be replaced after 300-500 miles. Suggestions for how to rotate your shoes starts with finding the shoe that works best for you. First, they should feel comfortable when you are running and not cause aches and pains afterward. Take note of the heel-to-toe drop and the overpronation support and repeat them in all your shoes. Second, keep a close watch on the mileage of each pair of shoes, and avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row. The midsole foam of the shoe is an important factor because it provides the cushioning needed. The foam needs time to bounce back after a hard run. Different running shoes serve different purposes, and that’s why having specific shoes for long, slow runs and fast, hard runs matters. For more guidance on finding the right running shoe for your feet and your running needs, please consult a chiropodist.

Although running is a wonderful exercise to keep you in shape, it can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles if you don’t take preventive measures. If you have sustained a foot and ankle injury from running, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Some common running injuries include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Shin splints
• Ankle sprains
• Stress fractures
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bursitis 

What causes injuries? 

These injuries are usually caused by overtraining, wearing the wrong shoes, running on hard surfaces, having tight and inflexible muscles, or having biomechanical issues in the feet or ankles. 

What can I do to prevent injuries? 

• Train slowly and gradually
• Give yourself plenty of time to recover following a run
• Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot
• Avoid running on hard surfaces, like concrete
• Stretch and strengthen the muscles of your lower legs
• Warm-up prior to a run
• Have your gait analyzed and your feet examined by a chiropodist to determine if there are any biomechanical problems that need to be treated 

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

Some people develop bone spurs. They are defined as small, bony protrusions that can form from repetitive use and a common place for them to occur is the heel. There are two categories of heel spurs, consisting of heel spur syndrome and insertional Achilles tendonitis. When a spur is felt on the back of the heel it is known as insertional Achilles tendonitis. A spur that forms in the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that connects the heels to the toes, falls into heel spur syndrome. This generally happens as a result of straining the surrounding ligaments and muscles, possibly causing pain and discomfort. A spur that forms in the back of the heel may irritate the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heels. Many people do not have pain with a heel spur, but for those who do a chiropodist can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

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 one of our chiropodists 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 Toronto, ON . 

Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury causing inflammation of the small sesamoid bones under the base of the big toe. The sesamoid bones protect the tendon in the flexor hallucis longus muscle, increase the strength of this muscle, and take most of the weight-bearing load on the inside of the foot. The bones can become injured by a stress fracture, a traumatic fracture, a sprain, or an injury caused by movement between the sesamoid bones and metatarsal bones in the foot. Symptoms of sesamoiditis include gradual pain in the forefoot, tenderness in the joint, limping or shifting weight to the outside of the foot when walking, swelling, and inflammation. Treatment is based on the severity of the pain and protecting the foot against future injury. If you have pain in the base of your big toe, see a chiropodist who can diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment options.

Sesamoiditis is a painful injury to one or both of the two tiny bones located in the ball of the foot. If you have symptoms of sesamoiditis, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

What is sesamoiditis?

The sesamoid consists of two small, pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot beneath the big toe. These bones can be injured and broken or inflamed, leading to foot pain and a variety of other symptoms. Sesamoiditis is common in dancers, joggers, people who have high arches, and people who wear high heels frequently. 

Symptoms

• Pain beneath the base of the big toe
• Pain while walking or wearing certain types of shoes
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Redness in the big toe

Diagnosis

Sesamoiditis can be diagnosed through physical examination. Your chiropodist may also wish to take an X-ray or MRI to determine if the bones are fractured, displaced, or affected by arthritis. If there is a different suspected underlying cause, such as gout or an infection, your chiropodist may also need to take a sample of joint fluid. 

Treatment

Treatments for sesamoiditis are usually conservative. You may be asked to wear more comfortable, supportive shoes with a wider toe area, thick sole, and low heel. A chiropodist can also prescribe orthotic inserts that you can put in your shoes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be taken to help manage pain. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections into the ball of the foot may be needed for pain management. 

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

Pain and stiffness in the joint that attaches the big toe to the first long bone of the foot is a condition known as hallux rigidus. The discomfort in what is termed the first metatarsophalangeal joint, or MPJ, is frequently caused by degenerative arthritis. Symptoms include difficulty moving the joint up and down, swelling behind the big toe, and soreness when walking or running. In some cases, bone spurs develop on top of the first metatarsal bone. Hallux rigidus often results from overuse of the MPJ joint and the damage that causes. Studies have shown that women may have this condition in both feet, possibly as the result of the long-term wearing of high-heeled shoes or because of genetics. If recognized in the early stages, hallux rigidus symptoms can be treated non-surgically. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and making adjustments in footwear can help to reduce MPJ pain. Wearing shoes with a larger toe box and avoiding high heels help to take the pressure off the joint. In addition, custom orthotics can make walking and running less painful. For more information, please consult a chiropodist.

Toe pain is common and can have a variety of causes. Causes can range from a broken toe to an ingrown toenail. Many types of toe pain can be corrected, but any toe pain that inhibits your activities for an extended period should be discussed with a chiropodist. If you suffer from toe pain, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your feet.

Common Causes of Toe Pain 

• Trauma or fracture
• Cuts, sores, or bruises
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Turf Toe
• Morton’s neuroma
• Blisters
• Corns
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown toenails
• Plantar warts
• Athlete’s Foot

Symptoms of Toe Pain

• Toe deformity
• Burning
• Numbness
• Toenail deformity
• Wart or ulcer
• Swelling
• Redness

When to See a Chiropodist

• Bleeding or severe swelling
• Trauma, such as a broken bone
• Discoloration or extreme swelling
• Inability to bear weight
• Persistent pain
• Wounds that won’t heal

Diagnosis of Toe Pain

A chiropodist can conduct a thorough examination of the painful toe or toes in order to determine the best course of treatment. The exam may include assessing the tenderness of the area, taking an X-ray or other diagnostic test, or assessing your gait and range of motion. A discussion of what led to the advanced pain issue may follow. Included will likely be a health history, as well as a list of medications you are taking and other previous injuries you may have sustained.

Treatment for Toe Pain

With such a wide range of possible causes for toe pain, treatment can be varied in scope and length. Sometimes, the chiropodist will recommend lifestyle and activity changes. In cases of trauma or other injuries, X-rays or imaging tests will likely be used to determine the severity of the problem, particularly if any bones have been broken. Treatment may also include injections of pain-relief medication or anti-inflammatory drugs. Certain injuries will require the splinting, bracing, or wrapping of injured toes. Orthotics or special shoes may be prescribed in cases of bone deformities and gait issues. Removal of warts, calluses, and corns may be needed. In other cases, such as with patients who have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, ongoing treatment may be required to avoid more serious problems. 

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