Flat Feet Conditions
You may have noticed that your feet have arches when seated, but disappear when weight is placed on them. Inadequate bone or joint alignment accompanied by weak muscles and ligaments allow the arches to flatten. Such conditions often result in flat feet (pes planus or planovalgus). Additionally, people with rigid flat feet may experience pain due to arthritis of the joints. The arches act as shock absorbers that help us spring forward with each step. Flat feet and fallen arches can, therefore, cause sore and tired feet and legs, especially after standing or walking all day. This problem is often hereditary and, as such, is seen in several family members. Flat feet are one of the leading causes of back pain. Flat feet produce an inefficient walking pattern, causing pain in your lower back where your centre of gravity hovers. At Footcare Place, treatment for different types of flat feet and fallen arches varies. A Chiropodist would examine you in order to determine what caused your flat feet and to identify a treatment plan for your associated symptoms. Custom-made orthotics, when prescribed and fitted by a Chiropodist, can be an effective treatment for flat feet and fallen arches. They would help to address symptoms in the feet, ankles, knees and back by restoring the body’s alignment through the repositioning of the arches. Custom-made shoes that
- Hard corns are usually located on the top of the toe, on the side of the small toe, under the ball of your foot or on the tips of your toes.
- Soft corns resemble open sores. They develop between the toes as they rub against each other.
Toe deformities, such as hammer toes or claw toes caused by the way you walk are the leading causes for corns. Improperly fitted shoes can worsen the problem. At Footcare Place Toronto, we provide long-term relief for your corns by removing them and providing solutions to prevent recurrence. Although special over-the-counter non-medicated donut-shaped foam pads can also help relieve the pressure caused by corns, your chiropodist can properly prescribe custom-made orthoses or orthotic devices that would address the overlying condition responsible for the corn formation by correcting bony and joint misalignments.
Ulcers associated with diabetic feet may develop from:
- Corns and calluses. When neuropathy is present as it is with diabetic feet, you will not be able to tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses. Corns and calluses must be properly treated or they can develop into ulcers.
- Dry, cracked skin. Poor circulation, as is present with diabetic feet, can make your skin dry. This may seem harmless, but dry skin can result in cracks that may become sores.
- Nail disorders. Ingrown toenails (which curve into t
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. Veins have valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards. Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart against the effects of gravity. When veins become varicose, these valves cease to function normally. This allows blood to flow backwards causing the veins to enlarge as they fill with back-flowing blood. Varicose veins commonly affect the legs. They are most common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Varicose veins, they can also be painful and itchy. Scratching varicose veins can cause the skin to break, resulting in ulcers. Proactive measures should be taken when varicose veins are still mild or moderate in order to prevent the need for surgical intervention. At Footcare Place Toronto, non-surgical treatments for varicose veins include compression stockings, short-stretch bandages, elevation of the legs, and exercise.
Plantar warts are characterized by:
- Thickened skin resembling a callus
- Pain when the sides of the wart are squeezed
- Tiny black dots which appear on the surface of the wart due to dried blood contained in the infected capillaries (tiny blood vessels)
Plantar warts most commonly occur in children and adolescents. Typically, the plantar wart virus is acquired in public places where people go barefoot; such as locker rooms, dance studios, and the grounds surrounding swimming pools. Plantar warts grow deep into the skin and often go unnoticed for weeks following the initial infection. At Footcare Place Toronto, a Chiropodist would examine the foot in order to diagnose a plantar wart. The goal would then be to completely remove the wart. This would be accomplished by the use of topical medications, laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing,) or surgery . Warts are persistent. Therefore, regardless of the method of treatment, it is vital that the patient follow the Chiropodists instructions, including all home care and medica
Arch pain is referred to as any pain across the bottom of the foot, between the heel and the ball of the foot. The root cause of arch pain is often flexible, flat feet. As the arch falls to the ground with every step, the muscles responsible for keeping the arches in tact wear out. This results in pain often described as a sore, fatiguing, burning sensation. Another cause of arch pain is due to strain or inflammation of the plantar fascia (a long ligament on the bottom of the foot). At Footcare Place Toronto, our treatment plans include professional fitted orthopaedic shoes with supports, or custom-made orthotics.
Fungal toenails is a common problem that can affect people of all ages. A fungus is a microorganism that lives in warm, moist areas. Fungal toenails often begins as an infection in the skin called Tinea Pedis (also known as athlete’s foot). The fungus often starts under the toenail fold at the end of the toenail. Over time, it grows underneath the toenail and changes its appearance with a yellow or brownish discoloration. It can also cause thickening and deformity of the toenail and can be painful because of the pressure applied to the toenail bed or folds. Caring for fungal toenails can be challenging. At Footcare Place Toronto, treatment for fungal toenails includes cutting down all fungal elements and topical or oral medications. In cases where pain accompanies the fungal toenail condition, the removal of all or part of the affected toenail may be necessary.
There are a number of factors that could be causing this condition. These include:
- Shoes that have a tapered toe, rather than a box toe
- Other deformities such as flatfoot, hammertoes and bunions
- Repeated activities that may irritate the ball of your foot, such as running/jogging, basketball or tennis
- Sudden trauma to the foot from an accident
KNEE PAIN
The patella, commonly referred to as the “knee cap”, acts as a pulley system to transmit power from the upper leg (thigh bone) to the lower leg (shin bone). Normally, as the knee bends, the patella slides smoothly along a groove in the thigh bone. However, under certain conditions the patella may experience forces that push it against the sides of the groove, causing pain. Additionally, inflammation and roughening of the smooth underside of the patella may occur. Collectively, this process is referred to as Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) and it is responsible for knee pain. Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in runners. The pain is usually located in the front part of the knee, but it may be on the inside, outside, or vaguely located. Knee pain can feel either sharp or dull, and is often made worse by squatting or walking down stairs. Knee pain is also sometimes accompanied by grinding or clicking sounds. Predisposing factors to Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) include; biomechanical abnormalities such as overpronation, “knock knees” or poor pelvic control, muscle tightness and weakness. At Footcare Place Toronto, treatment for knee pain includes:
- Pain management w