Wednesday, 08 January 2025 00:00

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 00:00

Diabetic feet can cause problems due to poor circulation and nerve damage. One of the primary symptoms is numbness or tingling in the feet, known as diabetic neuropathy, which can make it difficult to sense injury or infection. People with diabetes may also notice their feet becoming dry, cracked, or callused, as the skin loses moisture and becomes less flexible. Poor circulation can lead to cold feet, slow healing of cuts or wounds, and changes in skin color. In severe cases, ulcers or infections can lead to tissue damage. Regular foot inspections and proper foot care are essential for those with diabetes to prevent complications and maintain foot health. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a chiropodist who can help you manage this serious 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.

Read more about Diabetic Foot Care
Tuesday, 31 December 2024 00:00

A tailor’s bunion, or bunionette, is a bony bump that forms on the foot near the base of the little toe. It occurs when the fifth metatarsal bone shifts outward, causing the joint to protrude. This condition often leads to pain, redness, and swelling especially when wearing tight shoes. Contributing factors include genetics, foot structure, and wearing ill-fitting footwear. People with flat feet or high arches are more prone to developing them. Diagnosis involves a physical exam and possibly X-rays to assess severity. Relief includes wearing wider shoes, padding the area, or using custom orthotics. Severe cases may require surgery to realign the bone. If you have a bunionette, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for appropriate relief options.

Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, 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 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

Read more about Bunions
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 00:00

Running is a popular activity that provides numerous health benefits, but it also puts significant strain on the feet and ankles. Common running injuries include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprains, and stress fractures. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the ligament on the sole, called the plantar fascia. It causes sharp pain in the heel, particularly after periods of rest. Achilles tendinopathy often results from increased training intensity, leading to pain and stiffness above the back of the heel. Ankle sprains occur when ligaments are overstretched or torn, typically from a sudden twist, leading to immediate pain and swelling. Stress fractures, caused by repetitive pressure, involve small cracks in bones such as the metatarsals or heel bone, resulting in pain that worsens with activity. A chiropodist can assess and diagnose these conditions, recommend personalized treatment plans, and provide advice to prevent future running injuries. If you have hurt your foot or ankle while running, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with 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.

Read more about Preventing Running Injuries

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