Items filtered by date: July 2023

Ignoring an ankle sprain is likely to result in an increased chance of having a chronically weakened ankle joint. For that reason, following a rigid treatment plan for recovery is essential. The first step to a healthy ankle after a sprain is decreasing the pain and swelling by staying off the injured foot. If the ankle is extremely swollen or cannot bear weight, it is important to see a chiropodist immediately. The foot will be tested for stability and range of motion to determine the extent of the injury. An X-ray may be taken to rule out a broken bone or other abnormality. In many cases, the ankle may be put into a brace or other immobilizing device to keep it stable. Eventually, stretching and strengthening exercises will begin as a way to rehabilitate the injured ligament and its supporting muscles. Range of motion exercises will follow. Healing from an ankle sprain can take up to several months to complete. If you have sprained an ankle, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for recovery options.

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 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. 

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.

An injury that is common to dancers, runners, and athletes involved in high-impact sports is stress fractures. A stress fracture is a hairline crack in a bone, often located in the feet. The majority of stress fractures occur in the metatarsals, but can also be felt in the heel and sometimes the ankle. At first, it may feel like a minor pain or ache in a specific area of the foot. Usually, no visible sign of an injury is present, possibly making it easy to dismiss. Over time, however, pain from a stress fracture will escalate, especially when the activity that has caused it is continued. Eventually, the pain becomes so great that the ability to stand or move becomes inhibited. The main cause of stress fractures is repeated pressure on the affected bone or bones. Other reasons stress fractures can happen include starting a new activity, increasing the intensity of a workout, or changing workout surfaces. Overuse stress fractures occur when a weight-bearing movement is repeated so often that the bones and their supporting muscles do not have enough time to recover between workouts. If you believe you are experiencing pain from stress fractures of the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist.

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.

Foot pain can affect how you live your life, as it increases the difficulty of carrying out even the simplest daily activities. Foot pain is commonly felt in three regions, the heel, the arch and the toes. The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. When the ligament beneath the feet, called the plantar fascia, becomes irritated it tears and causes inflammation and pain. If the arch of the foot collapses, it results in worsening the plantar fasciitis and increasing the pain level. This sets up the perfect environment for heel spurs to develop. These bony outgrowths, usually on the bottom of the heel, can be painful when weight is applied. Toe pain can be caused by bunions, a deformity of the big toe that can affect how your weight is distributed. It may increase pressure on the ball of the foot. The bunion, a bony bump on the side of the big toe, also may rub against the inside of a shoe and cause further pain. Athletes and dancers often place a great deal of weight on the first joint of the big toe, causing a condition known as turf toe. When this joint is pushed past its limits, the ligament stretches and causes severe pain. If you are experiencing any type of foot pain that will not subside, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for an exam and suggested treatment options.

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

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.

A blister is a fluid-filled bubble that forms on the skin. The fluid can be clear or contain some blood. When blisters develop between the toes, it can be painful, particularly if one spends a lot of time on their feet. Two types of blisters that can form between the toes are those caused by friction and those not due to friction. These blisters look alike, but their location and how they come about differ. Friction or pinch blisters usually result from repeated rubbing of one toe against the other or against the inner lining of a shoe and the skin becomes irritated. These blisters often form near the tip or base of a toe. Non-friction blisters often come from an allergy or infection. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that can cause blisters between the toes. Insect bites or an allergic reaction to the material of one’s socks can cause such blisters as well. For non-friction blisters, a good foot health routine may help resolve the problem. This includes washing, drying, and moisturizing the feet daily, cutting the toenails frequently and straight across, and making sure to examine the feet regularly. For both types of blisters, wearing well-fitting shoes that provide ample room for the toes to move will help. One should not pop these blisters as it is easy for bacteria to enter through open skin. They can be covered with bandages while healing takes place. If you suffer from toe blister pain, it may be hard to tell which type of blister you have and it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Blisters can usually be treated at home, however, if you have recurring blisters or experience significant discomfort or pain, 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 Is a Blister? 

A blister is a small pocket of fluid in the upper skin layers and is one of the body’s natural responses to injury or pressure. Blisters can also result from burns, fungal or viral skin infections, and the feet are particularly prone due to ill-fitting footwear and friction. Friction on the skin causes the upper layer of skin to separate from the lower layers. The space that this separation creates then becomes filled with a liquid called serum, which protects the lower layers of skin. 

Treatment 

If you notice a blister on your foot, you can cover it with a soft bandage or dressing to protect it. Popping the blister is discouraged. Doing so exposes the raw skin underneath it to bacteria and also raises the risk of infection. If a blister pops naturally, let it drain before covering it with a bandage. Blisters usually heal on their own or with home treatment, however, if your blister is recurring, very painful, or appears infected, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Prevention

You can help to prevent blisters by wearing comfortable, well-fitted shoes. Keep your feet dry by wearing moisture-wicking socks and dust your feet with talcum powder if they tend to get sweaty. If you have areas on your feet that are more susceptible to blisters, you might be able to prevent the blister from forming by covering it with a pad. 

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.