Items filtered by date: June 2022

When you walk or jump, you put repeated force on your heels as they strike the ground time after time. This chronic trauma to your heels can cause blood vessels in the muscles and surrounding tissue to become quite bruised. This leads to bleeding underneath the skin's surface and bruising in the heel. Bruised heels are also known as heel contusions. Although they may be painful, heel bruises can be treated by a chiropodist. They will start off by examining you and running imaging tests, if necessary, to make sure you do not have another type of injury that causes heel pain, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, arthritis, or a heel bone fracture. If they verify that you do have a heel bruise they may treat it using a variety of treatments including prescription medications, rest, and orthotics. Additionally, they may suggest some gentle stretches and massage therapy to get blood flowing and to ease tension in your muscles. 

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, 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. 

Common Injuries Among Athletes: 

• Achilles tendon injuries

• Ankle strains or sprains

• Plantar fasciitis

• Fractures

• Turf toe 

• Joint dislocations

• Sever’s disease

• Morton’s neuroma

Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the cause and severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a foot or ankle injury include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, a reduced range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight or walking on the affected foot or ankle. 

Diagnosis

Sports injuries are typically diagnosed after carefully examining the affected foot or ankle. This includes moving the injured area to test its range of motion. Medical history will need to be provided, as well as detailed information about how the injury occurred. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Just like symptoms, treatment will depend on the type of injury and its severity. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E is a helpful guide to implement for most acute injuries. This method involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot or ankle. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered and orthotic devices may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, surgery may be required. Lastly, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area.

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.

Foot pain is common among older people. As one ages, the padding under the heel and ball of the foot gets thinner, the arches flatten and become less flexible, and the joints become stiffer. Additionally, the foot can get wider and longer. These natural changes can cause foot pain. Older people are also more apt to have foot pain if they have a chronic disease. Foot pain can lead to balance issues, reduced mobility, and an increased risk of falling. Beyond changes, which occur as the normal result of aging, one of the main causes of foot pain comes from shoes that are too small, narrow, or provide insufficient support. Having footwear evaluated, tending to basic foot care, and wearing non-binding socks, can all help maintain healthy foot care. Elderly people can also avoid walking barefoot, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly for good foot health. As one ages, regular visits with a chiropodist are suggested to diagnose any foot ailments that might arise and to provide an appropriate treatment plan.

Foot problems can become increasingly common as we age, making everyday foot care especially important. To learn more about maintaining proper foot health, 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. 

Common Foot Problems

Certain foot problems may be more likely to affect older adults. 

Some examples of foot conditions that can be common in older adults include: 

• Dry, cracked skin

• Calluses and corns

• Blisters

• Ingrown toenails

• Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes

• Fungal infections

• Plantar warts

Systemic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, are also more likely to affect older people and manifest symptoms in the feet and ankles. 

Daily Foot Care Tips

Having a daily foot care routine can help detect problems early on and prevent future issues. 

Things that you can do at home to care for your feet include: 

• Washing the feet daily with warm water, drying them thoroughly, and then applying a moisturizer 

• Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown toenails

• Performing daily foot exercises to improve foot strength and mobility

• Wearing shoes when walking to avoid injury

• Inspecting the feet daily for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities and seeking prompt treatment if any problems are discovered 

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.

Stress fractures, also known as hairline fractures, often occur in the feet. They are microscopic cracks in a bone that develop when the bone cannot handle the weight placed on it. These breaks in the foot often result from overuse or repetitive activity. While anyone can sustain a stress fracture, athletes, especially runners, dancers, and soccer players, are said to be more at risk. Health problems like osteoporosis, other foot problems, or an abnormal gait can also affect bones and cause stress fractures. The location of the stress fracture has a lot to do with how it heals. Those in areas with poor blood flow do not heal as well as those in areas with good blood flow. As the injury progresses, one will likely experience more pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the area affected. Walking or running may be affected due to an inclination to relieve pressure in painful areas by moving differently. If ignored, a stress fracture can become a complete bone break. If you suspect there is an injury to a bone in your foot, it is important to consult with a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.  

A stress fracture often requires medical attention as it can progress and worsen over time. 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. 

A stress fracture refers to a fine crack in a bone. This type of fracture is especially common in the feet, as they often endure repetitive pressure from daily activities such as walking or running. Stress fractures occur when the affected bone can not support the load being placed on it. Stress fractures in the foot can occur in any bone, but often affect the metatarsal bones which connect the toes to the rest of the foot, the heel bone, or the navicular bone on the top of the foot. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stress fracture may include: 

• Deep, dull pain

• Sharp, localized pain

• Intermittent pain

• Tenderness 

• Weakness

• Swelling

• Bruising 

• Changes in the biomechanics of the foot

Diagnosis

Stress fractures in the foot are diagnosed via medical history and a physical exam. You may also need to have diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, or an ultrasound performed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out any other problems.  

Treatment

Nonsurgical treatment options include resting, icing, compressing and elevating the affected foot, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications, modifying your footwear, wearing a cast, and using crutches. Certain types of foot fractures, such as navicular fractures, respond poorly to nonsurgical treatment and may need surgery to fully heal. 

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.

Those with diabetes must make sure any foot wounds are treated in a timely manner and heal properly. A foot wound is any break in the skin of the feet, such as a cut, blister, or ingrown toenail. An exposed wound can form into a foot ulcer and raise the risk of infection, gangrene, and possible amputation. Because diabetics often develop peripheral neuropathy and lose feeling in their feet, they may not feel or notice such wounds. It is important for diabetics to regularly check their feet or have them checked for swelling, red or discolored skin, or changes in temperature to the skin to prevent such wounds and complications. Diabetics should make sure to wear footwear that fits properly and refrain from going barefoot. They need to use extra care because if wounds do develop they are likely to take more time to heal. Including a chiropodist among the specialists they see for their health care is a good idea given the seriousness of developing such wounds and leaving them untreated.

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.