Stress fractures, also known as hairline fractures, often occur in the feet. They are microscopic cracks in a bone that develop when the bone cannot handle the weight placed on it. These breaks in the foot often result from overuse or repetitive activity. While anyone can sustain a stress fracture, athletes, especially runners, dancers, and soccer players, are said to be more at risk. Health problems like osteoporosis, other foot problems, or an abnormal gait can also affect bones and cause stress fractures. The location of the stress fracture has a lot to do with how it heals. Those in areas with poor blood flow do not heal as well as those in areas with good blood flow. As the injury progresses, one will likely experience more pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the area affected. Walking or running may be affected due to an inclination to relieve pressure in painful areas by moving differently. If ignored, a stress fracture can become a complete bone break. If you suspect there is an injury to a bone in your foot, it is important to consult with a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.  

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 . 

Those with diabetes must make sure any foot wounds are treated in a timely manner and heal properly. A foot wound is any break in the skin of the feet, such as a cut, blister, or ingrown toenail. An exposed wound can form into a foot ulcer and raise the risk of infection, gangrene, and possible amputation. Because diabetics often develop peripheral neuropathy and lose feeling in their feet, they may not feel or notice such wounds. It is important for diabetics to regularly check their feet or have them checked for swelling, red or discolored skin, or changes in temperature to the skin to prevent such wounds and complications. Diabetics should make sure to wear footwear that fits properly and refrain from going barefoot. They need to use extra care because if wounds do develop they are likely to take more time to heal. Including a chiropodist among the specialists they see for their health care is a good idea given the seriousness of developing such wounds and leaving them untreated.

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 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. 

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

Running can be good for your cardio-vascular health and overall physical well being. But sometimes runners overdo it by running too far, too fast, and too often. Among other injuries, this can cause plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that lines the sole of the foot and helps support the arch. A painful condition that plagues many runners and other athletes, plantar fasciitis, occurs when the plantar fascia tears and/or becomes inflamed. It is helped along by tightened calf muscles, which can also impact the Achilles tendon. Other contributors include running shoes that do not provide the proper support or cushioning, being overweight, and having flat feet or high arches. Pain in the heel and along the bottom of the feet is usually worse first thing in the morning. It can be relieved by icing the feet and doing exercises that stretch the tightened muscles. If you have developed plantar fasciitis, or have frequent episodes, it is a good idea to see a chiropodist for advanced treatment options, which may include anti-inflammatory medication, custom orthotics, as well as foot and ankle exercises.

Plantar fasciitis can be painful and interfere with your daily activities. If you are experiencing foot or heel pain and believe you may be afflicted with plantar fasciitis, 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 Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Repetitive activities, such as running or jumping, can injure the plantar fascia over time. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by flat feet, high arches, pregnancy, and activities that put excessive pressure on your feet, like standing all day for work. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it causes pain and discomfort. 

Symptoms

Typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Stabbing pain near the heel
• Pain that is worst in the morning or after a period of rest
• Pain that increases after exercising
• Swelling
• Tightness in the Achilles tendon

Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is typically diagnosed via medical history and physical examination. 

Treatment

Treatments for plantar fasciitis include resting and icing the affected foot, stretching the foot, taking medications to reduce inflammation, and wearing orthotics. In severe cases where pain does not improve with conservative treatments, injections or surgery may be recommended. 

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

Pain in the heels is a common complaint, and the pain may be felt in different parts of the heel. Plantar fasciitis, pain underneath the heel, is caused mainly by an inflammation of the band of tissue that runs along the sole, connecting the toes to the heel bone. Pain is the result of the fascia being overstretched. Pain felt behind the heel is frequently caused by Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel to the leg bone. In mild cases, injury is not generally the cause of pain. Instead, it may be the result of arthritis, infection, auto-immune disease, or trauma. In severe cases, heel pain is likely the result of a tear or rupture of the tendon. Another common heel pain condition is bursitis. This can cause pain as the bursa (fluid sacs) become inflamed and press on nerves. It can also be the result of landing too hard on the heel or undue pressure from footwear. Heel bumps, also known as pump bumps, are bone growths behind the heel that are thought to be linked to flat feet. It is said to be more common among teens whose bones have not fully developed when they begin to wear high heels. For more information about heel pain and treatment options, please make an appointment with a chiropodist. 

Heel pain is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of injuries, medical conditions, and other factors. If you suffer 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. 

When it comes to heel pain, the exact location and type of pain are important to note. Some of the conditions that may cause heel pain include: 

• Plantar fasciitis - An inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot; it causes a stabbing pain under the heel that is at its worst when taking your first few steps after a long rest and while standing on your tiptoes or climbing stairs
• Achilles tendonitis - An inflammation of the tendon in the back of the calf; it causes pain in the back of the heel that is at its worst after resting, as well as ankle and calf stiffness, swelling, and tenderness
• Bone spurs - Bony lumps on the back of the heel bones that cause sharp pain upon first standing up; the pain becomes dull and achy over time
• Heel fractures - A break or crack in the heel bone that causes pain, swelling, and difficulty walking
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis - Swelling of the small, fluid-filled sac at the back of the heel bone; it causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the back of the heel
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome - Compression of the posterior tibial nerve which causes a pins and needles sensation in the heel, foot, and calf 

Your chiropodist will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of your pain and prescribe the right treatments for you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

When you feel your ankle “give way,” it is usually the result of joint weakness from a previous injury to the lateral (outside) ligaments. The weakened joint can also then cause further injury, such as twisting the ankle. The two ligaments typically affected are the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular (CFL), which connect the heel bones to the fibula. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to avoid making ankle instability worse that do not involve surgery. Among them are strengthening the muscles that control the ankle joint, avoiding high-risk activities (no more football), and wearing a brace or specific shoe that stabilizes the ankle (in case you do end up playing football). Visiting a chiropodist for a complete evaluation of the weakened ankle joint is a good idea. Tests will likely include a gait and hindfoot assessment, a lateral stress test, and a series of X-rays. Treatment options will then be discussed, based on the severity of the joint injury.

Ankle pain is a common symptom of many lower limb problems. If you are experiencing ankle 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. 

The ankle is composed of a number of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many conditions which may cause ankle pain. 

Causes

• Ankle strains or sprains
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Fractures
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms

If you have ankle pain, you may also experience a variety of other symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Some of these symptoms may include ankle swelling, bruising, redness, numbness or tingling, instability, and difficulty walking.

Diagnosis

The underlying cause of ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. Diagnoses are typically made based on your medical history, a physical examination of the affected ankle, and imaging studies such as X-rays. 

Treatment

Treatment for your ankle pain will depend on its underlying cause. Often, the chiropodist will recommend that you rest the affected ankle. You might also need to ice, compress, and elevate the ankle, wear an orthotic device, or take medications to reduce pain and inflammation. 

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