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For most people, corns and calluses on the feet and toes are an inconvenience that can cause some pain and discomfort. Corns are typically found on the toes and calluses on the heel and sole of the foot. They are thickened layers of skin that have formed because of pressure and friction. A corn is generally smaller and has a hardened center, usually the result of rubbing against the inside of a shoe. A callus is spread over a wider area, sometimes as the result of a bunion, hammertoe or other foot deformity. Neither is particularly serious and often can be handled with a few simple steps. Soak feet in warm water to soften the callused skin. Gently rub with a pumice stone to remove the skin. Do not cut either corns or calluses. Wear shoes and socks that fit properly. Try using pads in the sole of your shoes to cushion the feet. If you have diabetes, or any disease that inhibits blood flow to the feet, it is suggested that you do not try to treat corns or calluses yourself. If the corn or callus looks to be infected or becomes extremely painful, it is a good idea to see a chiropodist at your earliest convenience for a thorough exam and suggestions for treatment.

Corns are small bumps or dry, hardened skin that can arise on the feet, usually in response to friction. Corns can be asymptomatic, or they can be uncomfortable or painful. If you have corns that are bothering you, 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. 

There are three types of corns:

• Hard corns
  • Often occur on the tops of toes
  • Feature a hard core surrounded by dry, irritated skin
  • Can be painful
• Soft corns
  • Often occur in between the toes
  • Soft due to constant exposure to sweat
  • Can be painful
• Seed corns
  • Tiny
  • Often occur on the soles of the feet
  • Usually asymptomatic

Corns can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit properly. They are typically benign and don’t require medical treatment. However, if your corns are causing you pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to reach out to a chiropodist near you for treatment options. 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.

An ingrown toenail happens when a toenail grows into its surrounding skin, or the skin grows over the edge of the nail. An ingrown toenail can get red, swollen, and painful. In extreme cases, an infection can develop. This condition usually occurs from trimming toenails in a curved way rather than straight across. They can also result from broken or brittle nails with sharp edges that dig into the skin, shoes that are too snug, one’s posture, gait, or structural problems with the feet (e.g., foot pronation). If you have a condition, such as diabetes, where you might not feel pain or discomfort in your feet, it is important that you examine your feet regularly for issues such as an ingrown toenail. Proper foot and nail care will help prevent ingrown toenails but if you suspect you have one, it is suggested that you consult with a chiropodist who can properly diagnose the situation and make helpful recommendations.

Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, 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 Is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. 

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. 

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.

There are many foot and ankle injuries that a chiropodist can treat. These include injuries of the nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or joints in the feet and ankles. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, is a common cause of heel pain. This condition can also lead to or be accompanied by heel spurs, calcium buildups on the ends of the heel bone that can irritate the plantar fascia ligament. Stress fractures, which are tiny breaks in the bones of the feet, are also common. Further up in the ankle and calf region, common injuries include Achilles tendonitis and ankle sprains. If you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain, please consult with a chiropodist.

Trauma to the foot or ankle is one of the most common reasons that people visit a chiropodist. If you have a foot or ankle injury, 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. 

Your feet contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Your ankles are large joints made up of three bones and various ligaments. All of these components work together to allow your lower limbs to move you throughout your life. Injuries to the feet and ankles can affect any one of these structures and can occur at any time. Some of the most common foot and ankle injuries include:

• Morton’s neuroma - Swelling of a nerve that runs between two toes, causes pain in the ball of the foot
• Stress fractures - Tiny cracks in one or more bones that can cause severe pain
• Plantar fasciitis - An inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, causes stabbing heel pain
• Sesamoiditis - Causes pain in the sesamoid bones, located beneath the ball of the foot
• Achilles tendonitis - Inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, causes pain in the back of the calf
• Ankle sprain - Overstretching or tearing of one or more ligaments in the ankle, which causes ankle pain and can make it difficult to walk 

Injuries to the feet and ankles often occur during athletic activities, such as running or playing a sport, or while wearing ill-fitting shoes. Other potential causes of injury include impacts from accidents, a sudden twisting while walking, or underlying biomechanical problems or medical conditions that affect the feet. Treatment for most of these injuries typically involves resting the feet and modifying activities and footwear to take pressure off of the affected foot. 

All of these conditions, and many more, can be diagnosed and treated by a chiropodist. 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.

There are many potential causes of foot pain. From an overuse injury to an underlying disease, foot pain is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be treated. Pain at the heel could be indicative of plantar fasciitis, bursitis, or heel spurs, while pain in the ball of the foot may be sesamoiditis or Morton’s neuroma. Pain in the toes may be from an injury, like a broken toe, or deformities, such as a bunion or hammertoe. Various systemic diseases, including arthritis and diabetes, can also affect the feet. Problems with the skin on the feet, such as athlete’s foot, corns, calluses, and plantar warts are sometimes painful as well. If you are experiencing any foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist. 

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, 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. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

• Plantar fasciitis
• Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
• Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Toe pain
• Ball of foot pain
• Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
• Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

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.