Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can affect any toe, but most often happens on the big toe. Signs of an ingrown toenail include the surrounding skin becoming tender, painful, swollen, red, and warm. In some cases, the area can become infected, and white or yellow pus may drain from the area. If an ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment. 

Ingrown toenails are usually caused by wearing poorly fitting shoes or trimming the toenails improperly. Shoes that are too tight and have narrow, pointed toes or high heels can compress the toes and cause the toenails to curl and grow into the skin. Trimming your nails into a rounded shape or cutting them too short can cause the edges of the nail to grow into the skin. Other potential causes for ingrown toenails include sustaining an injury near the toenail, having a fungal nail infection, using certain prescription medications, and having an abnormal nail shape. Some people also have a genetic predisposition to developing ingrown toenails. 

Preventing ingrown toenails begins with proper trimming. Trim your nails regularly using nail clippers rather than nail scissors. Nail clippers cut the nail straight across, avoiding the rounded edges that can make ingrown toenails likely to develop. Make sure that while trimming the nails that you do not cut them too short. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels and a wide toe area to keep your toes from squishing together. 

For more information about ingrown toenails, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Why Do You Get Ingrown Toenails?

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.

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Foot and Ankle Trauma

An injury to the foot or ankle is one of the main reasons patients schedule an appointment with a chiropodist. Whether you are younger or older, whether your life is active or sedentary, anybody can incur a foot or ankle injury. While one of the primary causes of injury is repetitive overuse or impacts while playing a sport, something as simple as twisting your ankle while walking or wearing the wrong pair of shoes can cause foot or ankle trauma. 

When you visit a chiropodist, you will typically be asked about your medical history and the symptoms that you are currently experiencing. In addition, the chiropodist will examine your injured foot or ankle and you may be asked to undergo various diagnostic tests in order to determine the cause of your pain. Some of the most common foot and ankle injuries include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, ankle sprains, sesamoiditis, and Morton’s neuroma. Many of these injuries share symptoms like pain, swelling, and inflammation. 

Seeking treatment is very important, as most foot and ankle injuries will not go away on their own. Even if an injury is fairly mild, you may still be required to take certain measures in order to ensure proper healing and to prevent the condition from worsening or becoming chronic. For example, your chiropodist may recommend resting your feet and wearing orthotic inserts for a certain period of time if you have a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. For more information about the various foot and ankle traumas that chiropodists can treat, please consult with a chiropodist near you.

Common Foot and Ankle Injuries Treated by Chiropodists

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.

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Foot Pain

If you’re suffering from foot pain, it’s important to note the locations and quality of your foot pain. Pain can affect any part of the foot, including the top, bottom, side, heel, or toes. The pain may be sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, burning, or stinging, and can come on suddenly or develop gradually over time. 

Pain in the top, bottom, or side of the foot can have many causes. In addition to the type of pain and its location, it’s also important to note when the pain started, what you were doing at the time, and what aggravates the pain. For example, pain in the top of the foot that worsens with physical activity or weight-bearing, that has gradually gotten worse over time, and is accompanied by swelling and tenderness could be indicative of a stress fracture. 

Pain in the heel is a frequent concern, especially among patients who participate in sports, run, or wear high heels. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heels to the toes, can cause stabbing heel pain. The pain is usually at its worst upon taking your first few steps in the morning or after a long rest and can radiate to the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is also often associated with heel spurs, bony outgrowths on the heel bones that can be painful if they poke into the surrounding tissues. 

Foot pain can be caused by not only injuries but also problems with the biomechanics of the feet and underlying health problems, like diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. If you’re experiencing foot pain, please seek the care of a chiropodist near you. 

Why Does My Foot Hurt?

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.

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Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition in which the sesamoid bones of the foot and their surrounding tendons become inflamed. The sesamoids are two small, pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, just under the big toe joint. These bones aid in moving the big toe normally, allowing it to be used to push off while walking or running. The sesamoids also absorb the weight placed on the ball of the foot during walking, running, and jumping activities. 

Sesamoiditis is typically the result of overuse. Repetitive activities that put excess pressure on the sesamoid bones, such as jogging, can cause inflammation in the sesamoid bones and surrounding tendons. Symptoms of sesamoiditis include dull, chronic pain beneath the big toe joint, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bending and straightening the big toe. 

Sesamoiditis is typically diagnosed based on medical history and a physical examination. Sometimes imaging studies, such as X-rays, may be ordered to rule out any fractures. Treatment for sesamoiditis is conservative and usually involves padding, strapping, taping, or immobilizing the affected toe to reduce pressure and pain on the toe. Resting the affected toe is essential to ensure healing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections can also be used to reduce pain. Orthotic devices may be prescribed to cushion the balls of the feet while walking. To learn more about sesamoiditis, please consult with a chiropodist. 

What Is Sesamoiditis?

Sesamoiditis is an injury of the sesamoid bones — two tiny, pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, just under the big toe. When these bones and their surrounding tendons are damaged, displaced, or inflamed, you may experience foot pain, swelling, and warmth. The symptoms are usually made worse by walking or wearing thin-soled or high-heeled shoes. Sesamoiditis is a common injury in dancers and joggers, as well as those who have high arches or bunions, and those who wear high heels. Conservative treatments, such as footwear modifications, orthotics, and over-the-counter pain medications are usually sufficient for pain relief. If you are experiencing any foot pain, please seek the care of a chiropodist. 

Sesamoiditis can be painful and prevent you from participating in certain activities. To learn more about this condition, 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 Sesamoiditis? 

Sesamoiditis refers to an injury of the sesamoids (two small, pea-shaped bones located beneath the big toe joint) or the tendons and/or surrounding tissue in the joint.

Causes

Sesamoiditis is typically the result of an overuse injury caused by activities that put repetitive pressure on the sesamoid bones and the tendons involved with those bones. These activities can include basketball, football, running, ballet, and tennis. People who have high foot arches and those who frequently wear high-heeled shoes are also at an increased risk of developing sesamoiditis. 

Symptoms

Common symptoms of sesamoiditis include: 

  • Dull, longstanding pain under the big toe joint

  • Swelling

  • Bruising 

  • Difficulty straightening or bending the big toe

  • Pain during movement

Diagnosis

Sesamoiditis can be diagnosed by physical examination and X-rays. Sometimes other imaging studies, such as a bone scan, MRI, or ultrasound may be needed if damage to the area surrounding the sesamoid bones is suspected. 

Treatment

Treatment options include conservative measures, such as padding, strapping, taping or immobilizing the affected foot, taking oral medications or getting steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling, and wearing orthotic devices. Surgical treatment may be necessary if conservative measures are not effective. 

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.

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Blisters

Blisters are fluid-filled bubbles of skin that can appear on any part of the body and are particularly common on the feet. Most foot blisters form due to friction. As you walk, run, or go about your daily activities, your shoes may rub against specific areas of your feet, causing the skin to become damaged. The top layer of skin then separates from the lower layers of skin. The area between the separated layers fills with a fluid called serum, whose purpose is to cushion and protect the raw skin below the blister. 

If you find a friction blister on your foot, it is highly recommended that you do not pop it. Popping the blister drains the fluid inside of it and exposes the raw skin underneath, increasing your risk of infection. Instead, protect the blister by loosely covering it with a bandage. You can also use special padding around the blister to protect it. Typically, friction blisters naturally heal over the course of one to two weeks. Friction blisters can be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and moisture-wicking socks. Wearing soft bandages over areas of your foot that tend to blister may also help. 

Sometimes foot blisters can be caused by problems other than friction. Blisters can develop due to a sunburn, frostbite, or exposure to an allergen, as well as from medical conditions such as fungal infections or eczema. If you frequently find blisters on your feet, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist. 

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