Items filtered by date: September 2022

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 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. 

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 . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Your child may be experiencing heel pain without having the words to describe their discomfort. Signs for a parent to notice are complaints of tight shoes or stiffness, limping, changes in activity level, or changes in the way your child walks. The common heel conditions your child may have include Sever’s disease, overuse injuries, stress fractures, and plantar fasciitis. Sever’s disease is common in athletic children between the ages of eight and fourteen. It is the result of an imbalance in the rate of bone and ligament growth. Symptoms like limping, swelling, redness, difficulty walking, and intense pain may occur. Footwear that fits poorly is another cause of heel pain in children. Since kids grow so quickly, their shoes may become too tight in a short period of time. If your child begins to sit out instead of participating in sports or if the pain does not dissipate, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a chiropodist for a checkup and diagnosis.  

If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, 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. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain in Children

While children can experience many of the same foot problems as adults do, some foot problems may be more common during childhood. 

Causes of foot pain in children can include:

• Deformities that are present from birth, such as flat feet or clubfoot

• Sever’s disease, which is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone

• Various sports injuries, such as sprains and fractures 

• Ingrown toenails

• Athlete’s foot

• Plantar warts

Prevention

It is important to look after the health of children’s feet in order to prevent future problems from arising. Keep your child’s feet clean and dry, trim their toenails regularly, ensure their shoes fit properly, and keep a watchful eye on any symptoms of foot pain, such as limping. If you notice any symptoms or if your child complains of foot pain, a chiropodist can help. 

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.

It is important for diabetic patients to check their feet daily for existing cuts, bruises, or scrapes, even if their feet feel normal. Neuropathy is a common condition to accompany diabetes, causing the inability to feel sensations on the feet. This can lead to a cut that gets infected and possibly develop into a diabetic foot ulcer. Many diabetic patients do not feel pain related to their feet, and this can be harmful in managing diabetes. People who have this condition may need to use a mirror to check the bottom of their feet, or possibly have a friend or family member help them. It is suggested that diabetic patients refrain from walking barefoot, in addition to having a chiropodist properly trim the toenails. If you have diabetes, it is urgent that you consult with a chiropodist who can help to manage your 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.

Running is an excellent way to burn one’s daily calories, and many people find the exercise exhilarating and rewarding. However, some individuals can be reckless by failing to take the precautions needed to prevent injuries. If a runner does not take steps to prepare their body before the run, they may be setting themselves up for injury. Some injuries that can occur during a run result from having weak muscles. The body is then forced to rely on other muscles while running to effectively compensate. This can lead to overuse injuries. To avoid overuse injuries, you may consider practicing different exercises. For example, you might consider practicing reverse lunges, single-leg deadlifts, or even side planks. Running is not just about the feet; the entire body is engaged and must be strong to run effectively. Contact a chiropodist if you are a runner for more information about preventing injuries.

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 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. 

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 . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.