Foot wounds are injuries that break the skin on the foot. If cared for properly, they should heal and not cause serious problems. If one is diabetic, there are more risks for infection and medical treatment should be obtained immediately. Whether serious or minor, the treatment for a foot wound involves keeping it clean and covering it with a bandage until it heals. Before doing anything, the hands should be washed with soap and clean water so that bacteria will not be transferred into the wound and cause an infection. Alcohol, peroxide, or harsh antiseptics should not be used as these could inflame a wound. Never use a dirty towel to apply pressure to the wound. Keep the wound moist with an antibacterial cream or petroleum jelly as this will excel healing. Bandage the wound, making sure the sticky part of the bandage is not touching it. Change the bandage every 24 hours or more frequently to prevent it from getting dirty or wet from wound secretions. Wounds that are larger or will not stop bleeding may need stitches. Make sure tetanus shot status is up to date and consider a tetanus booster for a deep wound. Depending on your comfort in taking care of a foot wound, a chiropodist can help ensure it is taken care of properly.

Wound care is the process of treating and preventing wounds on the feet. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as diabetic foot wounds are common and can lead to serious complications when left untreated. To learn more about proper wound care, 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. 

Why Is Wound Care Important for Diabetics?

While wound care is important for maintaining the health of your feet, it is especially important for people with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation, causing foot wounds to heal very slowly or not to heal at all. Diabetics also frequently suffer from neuropathy or nerve loss. This means no matter how big or little the wound, they might not feel it on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. This is why it is imperative that diabetics complete daily foot checks.

Wound Care Basics

The best way to care for wounds is to prevent them in the first place. It is recommended that people with diabetes perform a daily examination of their feet to locate cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds. Early detection allows for ample time to treat the wounds and prevent further complications. If you notice a wound at home, you can clean it using water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Seeing a chiropodist, who can examine your feet thoroughly and treat any existing wounds, can also help you maintain proper foot health. 

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

A number of jobs – such as nursing, factory worker, or restaurant worker – require a great many hours of standing on your feet. This can cause soreness of feet at the end of the day. Some ways that may help to counteract the aches and pains are listed here. An effective way to soothe your tired and aching feet is to give them a bath in Epsom salts. A warm bath is typical, but if your feet are swollen, a cool bath may be of more help. Stretching the calf muscles several times a day can help to release tension and pain. If at all possible, try to take breaks during the workday, even for only a few minutes at a time. Make sure you have comfortable footwear, especially shoes or boots with proper arch support and adequate cushioning. Have another pair on hand so they can be changed during the workday. Keep your toenails cut to avoid ingrown toenails. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ward off dehydration, which contributes to foot cramps. Being overweight adds to the likelihood of incurring foot pain. Plan healthier meals and snacks. If your foot aches and pains continue or worsen, please consult a chiropodist for an exam to determine the cause.

If you stand all day, you may be at an increased risk of developing various foot conditions. If you are experiencing foot pain of any kind, 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 Foot Problems Are Caused by Standing?

Standing all day at work may increase your risk of developing foot or ankle problems.

Some common foot conditions that may arise from spending all day on your feet include: 

• Foot pain
• Blisters
• Corns and calluses
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Bunions
• Sprains
• Athlete’s foot

Prevention

If you stand for prolonged periods of time for work, taking preventative measures to preserve the health of your feet is strongly recommended. 

Measures you can implement to help prevent foot problems include: 

• Wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit well - these shoes should be made of breathable materials and provide you with arch support and cushioning. It is best to avoid shoes that have heels or narrow toe boxes.
• Taking breaks to rest, walk, and stretch your feet throughout the day
• Maintaining good foot hygiene - wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day

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

Getting a cramp or muscle spasm in the toes can be annoying and painful, but they can subside on their own. It is beneficial to be familiar with the causes to help prevent toe cramps from occurring. The top three causes of toe cramps are tight or weak muscles, injuries, and poorly fitting footwear. Several muscles in the ankle and foot affect how the toes move and tightness in any one of them can be the source of a cramp. Muscle weakness can directly result from a new workout routine, a sedentary lifestyle, or not properly stretching before and after exercising. Injuries to leg and foot muscles, ligaments, and tendons can lead to toe cramps. These may occur due to overuse, falling, or enduring a sprain. Ill-fitting shoes, especially high heels with pointed toes, can put extreme pressure on the toes also causing them to cramp. Additionally, shoes that fit too tightly can be a cause of muscle weakness. If you are experiencing an unusual amount of cramping in the toes, it may be wise to consult a chiropodist who can help you understand the cause and offer solutions.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot 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 you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures
• Sinus tarsi syndrome
• Extensor tendonitis
• Tibialis anterior tendonitis
• Gout
• Athlete’s foot
• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Foot cramps
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fibromatosis
• Posterior tibial tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain
• Cuboid syndrome
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Bunions
• Corns or calluses
• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bone spurs
• Heel fractures
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout
• Hammertoe
• Turf toe
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

Achilles tendon pain comes from the fact that, like all tendons, the Achilles tendon is strong but not flexible. This tendon connects muscles in the calf and lower leg to the heel bone and it only stretches so far. When it is overstretched, it becomes inflamed, (tendonitis) or tears (ruptures). Stress or injury to the Achilles tendon can cause discomfort and severe pain. Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis are the two main causes of Achilles tendon pain. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Usually, athletes who participate in sports with a lot of starts, stops, and turns suffer from this condition. The pain typically worsens with movement and is felt close to the bottom of the calf muscle, along the Achilles tendon, or near the heel bone. Sometimes this condition occurs from a bony growth or spur that develops on the back of the ankle and rubs on the Achilles tendon, from the pressure obesity puts on the lower body, or from other medical conditions such as high blood pressure. If Achilles tendonitis progresses, it can become tendinosis, which is a chronic tendon condition where the collagen fibers that make up the tendon break down. Beyond pain, with tendinosis, scar tissue may form leading to permanent thickening. An Achilles tendon rupture is when the tendon fibers tear and separate. Usually, when there is a tendon rupture, one cannot bear weight on the affected foot. If you have pain as has been described, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist as soon as possible to obtain a proper diagnosis and the treatment that is right for you.

Achilles tendonitis is a common injury of the Achilles tendon, a band of fibrous tissue that runs along the back of the lower leg. The Achilles tendon can also rupture, making it impossible to lift the foot. If you are suffering from heel or calf 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. 

Causes of Achilles tendon injuries include: 

• Repetitive stress or overuse
• Sudden increase in activity levels
• High impact injury
• Calf muscle tightness or weakness
• Altered foot biomechanics
• Heel bone spurs
• Underlying medical conditions that weaken the tendon

Symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury include: 

• Heel and calf pain that worsens following exercise
• Chronic heel and calf pain
• Sudden pain in the back of the ankle or calf
• A popping or snapping sensation
• Thickened lump in the Achilles tendon
• Ankle and calf stiffness
• Decreased range of motion in the affected foot
• Swelling
• Difficulty walking 

Treatment

• Resting the affected leg
• Applying ice
• Compressing the foot and ankle
• Elevating the injured leg
• Wearing orthotics
• Low impact exercises
• Stretches
• Strengthening exercises
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Cortisone injections
• Surgery, if the tendon is ruptured 

Achilles tendon injuries can be very painful and lead to reduced mobility if left untreated. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON .