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If the first joint of your toe bends up instead of lying flat, you probably have developed a hammertoe. The main cause of this deformity is believed to be wearing shoes that do not fit properly. If they are too small in either length or width, the toe is forced into a shortened position for too long a period. The muscles then tighten, and the toe joint can become frozen in a bent position. Another likely cause of hammertoe is when one of the two long muscles in the leg (the extensor and flexor digitorum longus) become compromised. They work in tandem to help raise and lower the toes. A hammertoe can also be congenital, or caused by arthritis in the foot or diabetes. If the hammertoe is caught early enough, it may be possible to straighten it. This process includes wearing shoes that are larger and have a wider toe box. Certain stretching exercises can help to stretch out the toes. If these measures are not successful, surgery may be necessary. For congenital hammertoes, a splinting and manipulation technique can be used. Besides looking unsightly, hammertoes can become painful, because the raised joint rubs against the inside of the toe box and corns or calluses may result. For more information on how to deal with hammertoes, please consult a chiropodist. 

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 one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists 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. 

A mildly fractured toe may be treated by using the buddy taping method. Taping the broken toe to the toe next to it is generally successful in providing the necessary stability as the healing process occurs. There are several ways a toe can become broken. For instance, dropping a heavy object on it, jamming it into a piece of furniture, or if it is involved in an injury. The toe bones are small and located at the edge of the body, making them vulnerable to enduring a fracture. Common symptoms associated with this type of injury include bruising, swelling, and a toe that is difficult to walk on. A serious break is noticeable if the affected bone protrudes through the skin, and the toe may look deformed. After a proper diagnosis is performed, the correct treatment can begin. If the toe becomes numb or if there is an open wound, it is strongly suggested that immediate medical attention is sought. Broken toes are treated by a chiropodist and it is advised that you consult with this type of foot specialist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

• Throbbing pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Cracking sound at the time of injury

• Difficulty bearing weight on the toe

• Difficulty walking

• Toe resting at an unnatural angle

Diagnosis

Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays. 

Treatment

The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.  

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.

Individuals who are considered obese include those with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30. If you fall into this category you are at an increased risk of developing foot pain. This is because the extra weight you are carrying around puts excess stress and strain on the structures of the feet and ankles. This can lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, hammertoes, bunions, and more. Obesity can even make it more likely to develop systemic illnesses that negatively affect the feet such as diabetes and gout. A chiropodist can assess any negative impact on your feet and ankles and make suggestions to mitigate these effects, such as improved footwear and orthotics to address several pressure, support, and alignment issues, and also help treat any pain you may be experiencing.

Being obese affects every part of your body, and your feet are no exception. Because they bear the full weight of your body as you go about your daily life, your feet are under a lot of pressure. Carrying excess weight can strain the feet and cause a variety of unpleasant side effects. If you are obese and concerned about your foot health, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Obesity can:

• Cause foot pain

• Increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries

• Reduce mobility

• Make the feet wider 

• Flatten the arch

• Make gout more likely

• Make arthritis more likely

• Increase the risk of diabetes

Your chiropodist may suggest lifestyle changes to address foot and ankle problems that are caused by or affected by obesity. These may include changes to your diet, exercise, and footwear, as well as wearing orthotics. The treatments for specific injuries or health problems will vary depending on what they are, but weight loss is often suggested to decrease strain on the feet. 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.

Many types of workers have little chance to walk or sit during their shifts at work. These include cashiers, operating room nurses or doctors, and retail sales associates. Those who wear high heel shoes are at an increased risk for developing musculoskeletal pain. Research shows that standing in the workplace leads to many negative health outcomes such as low back pain, fatigue, muscle pain, sore feet, leg swelling, cardiovascular problems, pregnancy complications, tiredness, and other body part discomfort. Allowing workers to have control over their bodies to be able to walk around, shift from standing to sitting, or change work postures helps. Floor mats, sit-stand workstations, shoe inserts, and compression stockings help those in these types of jobs as well. Visit a chiropodist for additional help in dealing with the negative consequences of your prolonged standing on the job.

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 the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists 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 . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A high ankle sprain involves tearing or damage to the three ligaments that hold together the lower leg bones, which connect to the talus bone in the ankle. This area is known as the upper ankle. It involves the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament, the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament, and the interosseous membrane. These ligaments act like shock absorbers for your legs and feet as you run and jump. A low ankle sprain takes place when the ankle joint rolls over onto the side of the foot, either outward or inward, and does not involve these three leg ligaments. A high ankle sprain is most likely to occur when the foot is flexed upward and then twisted. It is less common than a low ankle sprain, and it’s mostly experienced by athletes playing football, basketball, wrestling, ice hockey, skiing, and soccer. The sprain is most likely to be caused by a collision, causing swelling, bruising, and an inability to bear weight or walk on your toes. If you have sustained such an injury, please visit a chiropodist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Surgery is unlikely, but complete healing may take up to eight weeks and you may become more apt to incur another sprain.

When one or more ligaments in the ankle overstretch or tear due to injury, an ankle sprain occurs. If you would like to learn more about ankle sprains, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms of an ankle sprain vary depending on the severity of the injury, but may include: 

• Pain

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tenderness

• Difficulty walking

• Ankle instability

• A reduced range of motion in the ankle 

Treatments for an ankle sprain may consist of: 

• Resting the injured ankle

• Applying ice

• Elevating the ankle

• Compressing the ankle

• Over-the-counter pain medications

• Ankle braces or other devices to take weight off of the ankle

• Ankle exercises 

• Surgery (in rare cases) 

It’s important for the sprained ankle to heal correctly and fully in order to avoid repeated injury. 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.

A puncture wound has a small hole of entry caused by a pointed object, such as stepping on a nail. It differs from a cut, which produces a long tear in the skin. Puncture wounds might disguise something serious going on, such as a developing infection, and must be handled differently than cuts. Foot puncture wounds are more common in warm weather when people are more apt to go barefoot. These types of wounds should be treated within 24 hours, because there is danger of embedding the piercing object under the skin. Foreign bodies from dirt and debris or things like glass, needles, seashells and other sharp objects can include bacteria that get into the wound. Socks and shoes might interfere and get tangled up in the wound at the time of puncture as well. Puncture wounds are, by nature, unclean because the object doing the puncturing is not sterile. Anything that remains in the wound increases the chance of complications. If you have sustained a puncture wound on your foot, please see a chiropodist who can determine the depth and severity of the wound, clean it out, and provide the best methods to treat it.

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 the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists 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 . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a noticeable bony protrusion that develops on the side of the big toe and can be unsightly. As it gradually forms, it can put pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe, which may push it toward the second toe. Some patients have swelling, redness, and general foot pain as a result of a developing bunion. If the bunion is not treated promptly, it may become difficult to wear shoes that are generally worn, and larger shoes may need to be purchased. Research has indicated people may have bunions from genetic reasons, or from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Foot structure may play a significant factor in getting a bunion, and calluses can form as toes rub against each other or the shoe. If you see the signs of a bunion starting to form, it is strongly advised that you seek the counsel of a chiropodist who can offer you correct treatment options.

Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Are Bunions? 

A bunion is a bony bump that protrudes from the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused due to a misalignment of the first metatarsal. The characteristic bump of a bunion forms when the metatarsal shifts outwards from its proper position. Bunions develop slowly over time and progressively worsen without treatment. The skin over the bunion may develop calluses due to the friction from shoes. Eventually, a bunion can make walking uncomfortable or even painful. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and are especially common in women and older adults.

Symptoms

A bunion appears as a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe.

The bunion may also: 

• Be swollen, red, or sore 

• Develop corns or calluses over it

• Cause pain

• Limit the big toe’s range of motion

Treatment

There are several different treatments available for bunions. Conservative treatment options include wearing shoes with a wider toe box, cushioning the bunion with a specialized pad, wearing shoe inserts, icing the bunion if it becomes inflamed, and taking medications to relieve pain. In more severe cases, more invasive procedures may be done. This may involve removing the swollen tissue around the bunion, straightening the big toe, realigning the bones at the front of the foot, or a combination of these procedures. 

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

Achilles tendonitis happens when there are tears in the tendon from overuse. When the Achilles heel ruptures it is usually because an injury created a sudden strain on that area. If this happens, there will be intense pain or a popping sound that can lead to swelling, burning, and stiffness in the area. It is important that if you damage your Achilles tendon, you rest your foot and seek care. At first you might not be able to tell if you have ruptured your tendon or just pulled a muscle but if the pain is intense and does not go away, the stiffness is greater than average, and you cannot stand to push off from the affected foot, you probably have or are near a rupture. See a chiropodist as soon as possible for an examination, an X-ray, and/or an MRI for a definite diagnosis and plan for treatment.

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 the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists 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.