Items filtered by date: January 2023

Hammertoe is a condition of the foot that occurs when the middle joint of a toe juts upward, causing the toe to look like a hammer. Many patients who are struggling with hammertoe frequently ask their medical professionals how they can care for their hammertoe. The answer is complicated because there are many different potential treatments that someone may pursue. However, one way that a medical professional can recommend treating hammertoe is by performing certain exercises to mitigate the effects of the condition. Specifically, a person may try to strengthen their toe muscles by performing towel toe curls. This can be done by placing a towel on the floor and using the toes to scrunch up the towel. Contact a chiropodist today to learn about more ways in which patients living with hammertoe can perform beneficial exercises. 

Hammertoe is a common foot deformity in which one or more of the small toes bends downwards at the middle joint. Though it may seem like a purely cosmetic issue, this is not the case. Hammertoes can be uncomfortable, painful, and even debilitating in severe cases. If you suffer from hammertoe, 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.

Symptoms

• One or more small toes bending downward at the middle joint

• Pain or irritation on the affected toes

• Corns and calluses

• Inflammation

• Redness

• Stiff toe joints

• Sores on the tops of the toes

Diagnosis

A chiropodist can typically diagnose hammertoes through physical examination. X-rays may need to be taken to see the extent of the damage.

Treatment

Hammertoes tend to progressively worsen with time, so getting prompt treatment is very important. In its early stages, the progression of hammertoe can be slowed down or stopped. Your chiropodist may suggest changes in your footwear. Wearing wide, comfortable shoes with a larger toe area and a low heel can help you avoid putting pressure on your toes. You may also be prescribed orthotics. Over-the-counter medications or corticosteroid injections may be used to relieve pain. If you have any corns or calluses, your chiropodist may suggest padding them to avoid further irritation. In advanced cases, surgery may be suggested. 

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. 

Arthritis in the feet is a condition that typically causes pain and discomfort. There are several kinds of arthritis, and the most common type is called osteoarthritis. It happens when the cartilage that is found between the bones and joints breaks down, which may lead to stiffness and a reduced range of motion. Gout can cause severe pain and is a form of arthritis. The pain often starts in the joints of the big toe and may radiate throughout the entire foot if prompt medical attention is not sought. It is caused by excess uric acid, causing crystals to form in the big toe. This may occur for several reasons including genetics or eating foods that have high levels of purines. The autoimmune disease that is known as lupus can affect the small joints of the feet and is classified as a type of arthritis. If you have foot pain, please confer with a chiropodist who can determine if it is caused by arthritis, and how to properly treat it.

Osteoarthritis in the feet or ankles can be a painful and disabling condition that may interfere with your daily activities. If you have arthritis, 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. 

What Is Osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the protective layer of cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. This loss of cartilage causes the bones to rub together during movement, leading to pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is associated with aging, and often affects the small joints of the feet and ankles. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include: 

• Joint pain

• Joint stiffness

• Swelling in or around the joint

• Restricted range of motion

• Difficulty walking

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed through physical examination. You may also need to have an X-ray taken to assess the extent of the damage caused by arthritis. 

Treatment

Treatment for osteoarthritis focuses on reducing symptoms and improving the function of the affected joints. Conservative treatments include oral pain medications, orthotic devices, bracing or immobilizing the affected foot or ankle, steroid injections into the affected joint to reduce inflammation, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. 

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

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 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.

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 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. 

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

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 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. 

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