Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that causes poor circulation in the lower limbs. This occurs due to a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries that supply the lower limbs. The plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, restricting blood flow.
In its initial stages, PAD may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, the first sign of PAD is usually claudication, a pain or cramping in the lower legs that occurs during walking or exercise. Claudication is caused by reduced blood flow to the muscles in the lower legs. Other symptoms of PAD that may appear over time include pain, numbness, heaviness, or achiness in the leg muscles, weak or absent pulses in the legs and feet, slow-healing wounds on the legs or feet, skin discoloration, poor toenail growth, poor hair growth on the legs, and low leg temperature. These are all signs of decreased circulation in the legs.
PAD is a particularly dangerous condition because it can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Complications or a total loss of circulation can also increase your risk of limb amputation. A chiropodist can screen you for peripheral artery disease using quick, noninvasive vascular tests. The Ankle-Brachial Index, a test that measures the blood pressure in your arm and in your ankle and then compares the two numbers to see if you are at risk for PAD, and ultrasound imaging of the blood vessels in your legs, are frequently used as screening measures.
If you have symptoms of PAD, or if you have been diagnosed with PAD and would like to learn more about maintaining the health of your lower limbs, please consult with a chiropodist.
When the blood flow to the feet is slowed, it is typically the result of a buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries serving the lower extremities. This blockage is known as peripheral artery disease or PAD. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and aging. Telltale signs of PAD in the ankles and feet are sores or wounds that won’t heal, an absence of a pulse in the feet and toes, and cold or numb toes. One way to help prevent peripheral artery disease is to participate in physical exercise regularly. It is also imperative to stop smoking, because it not only increases the risk of PAD, it also makes any symptoms you may have worse. If you are predisposed to cholesterol or diabetes, they should also be monitored closely. If you need information on peripheral artery disease, it is a good idea to consult a chiropodist who can examine your feet and suggest appropriate treatment options.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious condition that can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. If you have symptoms of PAD, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the lower limbs narrow and harden due to a buildup of arterial plaque. PAD causes a reduction in blood flow to the legs and other extremities.
Symptoms
Often, people with PAD experience no symptoms, especially in the early stages. If PAD continues to worsen, the first sign of PAD may be claudication, pain and cramping in the legs while walking, caused by the reduction of blood supply to the muscles of the legs.
Other potential symptoms include:
Numbness or weakness in the legs
Coldness in the legs or feet
Slow-healing sores or wounds
Skin discoloration or hair loss on the legs
Slow growth of toenails
Diagnosis
Most often chiropodists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to the blood pressure in your ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Vascular tests look at the blood flow in the legs and are generally painless and non-invasive.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help limit further arterial plaque buildup. Taking your prescribed medications can reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. In some cases, surgery may be required to improve blood flow.
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 a common symptom of a large variety of injuries and medical conditions. A diagnosis can be narrowed down by describing the locations and type of pain that you are experiencing.
Pain in the heel is often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis usually causes stabbing heel pains and the pain is at its worst upon arising in the morning or when taking your first steps after a long period of rest. Heel pain can also be caused by heel spurs, bruises on the fat pad of the heel, or heel fractures.
Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by Morton’s neuroma, in which the tissue of the nerves between the bases of the toes become thickened, causing tingling and numbness. Other causes of pain in the ball of the foot include metatarsalgia or sesamoiditis.
Pain in the arch of the foot can be caused by plantar fasciitis or having flat feet or fallen arches. Pain in the toes can be caused by many conditions, including gout, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toe sprains or fractures, arthritis, and corns.
To find out what is causing your foot pain, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose your condition and offer the appropriate treatments.
Many people have foot pain for various reasons. Often, resting the foot can reduce the pain and discomfort, however, it is beneficial to know the cause behind it. Wearing shoes that do not fit correctly is a common reason to experience foot pain, and can easily be remedied when the right size shoes are worn. Patients who are overweight may develop heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. These are uncomfortable conditions that may come from the excessive weight which is placed on the heel. There are certain medical conditions that may also lead to foot pain. These can consist of gout which is a form of arthritis, circulation or nerve issues, or flat feet. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is strongly urged that you are under the care of a chiropodist who can effectively determine the cause, and offer correct treatment options.
Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. 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.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!
Falls are a leading cause of serious injury among the elderly. In fact, falls are the cause of the majority of hospitalizations for elderly people. As we age, our risk of falling increases due to deterioration in physical strength, coordination, vision, and hearing. Unsafe conditions in the home are often responsible for falls, and about half of all falls among the elderly occur in the home environment. Falling can cause a variety of complications, including injuries to the legs and feet, which can greatly impact one’s mobility and independence.
Fortunately, falls can often be prevented. There are various preventive measures that you can take to make your home environment safer and less likely to contribute to a fall. In the bathroom, where wet and slippery conditions can lead to falling, it is recommended that you have non-slip surfaces in the shower and tub, install grab bars by the toilet and bath to help you sit and stand, and wipe up any moisture or spills as soon as they occur. In the living room and bedroom, it is important to make sure that the floor is free of clutter and obstacles, such as loose cords and wires, small furniture items, and other tripping hazards. Ensure that all rugs and mats are firmly anchored and that there is good lighting throughout the home. In the kitchen, it is suggested that you store appliances and other supplies in places that are easy to reach and that you wipe up any spills that may occur immediately. If your home has stairs, they should be well lit and have secure handrails.
You can also prevent falls by modifying your own behavior. When moving around the home, walk slowly and carefully, turn on lights when walking through your home at night, and use any mobility aids, such as a cane or walker, when needed. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet to maintain your overall health. Speak regularly with your doctor to monitor your medications, especially if you are taking any medications that may increase your risk of falling due to side effects such as dizziness. For more tips on how to prevent falls, please consult with a chiropodist.
Senior citizens ought to be taking extra special care of their feet. One of the reasons for this is that seniors might have certain afflictions of the feet that weaken their strength. As a result, falling might be more likely, which can bring on its own host of health problems and complications. There are many ways that a senior citizen might go about preventing falls. Importantly, a senior might consider being more careful when rushing to complete a task around the house. If a senior is late in leaving the home or has to hurry to a particular room in the house to complete a task, their likelihood of falling might increase. When seniors are rushing and hurrying around the house, they are not as careful and mindful of how they are moving their feet. Therefore, reducing the extent to which you rush around the house might yield beneficial outcomes for your foot health. Contact a chiropodist today for more information.
Falls are a major cause of injury among the elderly. To learn more about preventing falls or to get treatment following a foot or ankle injury caused by a fall, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Falling is one of the leading causes of injury among the elderly. It is said that about 50% of falls that result in hospitalization occur in the home. Fortunately, there are steps that you can implement to reduce your risk of falling in the home.
Tips to Prevent Falls at Home:
In the bathroom - Place non-slip mats in the shower or tub, install grab bars near the toilet and bath, and wipe up any moisture or spills as soon as possible.
In the living rooms and bedroom - Remove loose wires, cords, or other objects that may be an obstacle to moving around safely. Make sure that you have good lighting throughout the home so that you can always see where you are going. Get rid of any rugs or mats that are not firmly anchored or that may cause you to trip. When walking around the home, move slowly.
In the kitchen - Store food and supplies in easily accessible areas, store heavy items in lower cupboards, and wipe up any spills immediately to prevent slipping.
On the stairs - Make sure that the stairs are well-lit and have secure handrails. Walk slowly when ascending or descending the stairs.
Outside - Keep walkways well-lit and clear of snow, ice, leaves, and man-made tripping hazards.
Maintaining your overall health, including the health of your feet, can also help to prevent falls. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and wear well-fitted, comfortable, and supportive shoes. If you have a mobility device, such as a cane, use it while walking.
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 biomechanics is an area of foot care that examines the structure, function, and motion of the feet. When these factors are carefully examined, they can provide more information about potential causes of foot and ankle pain and help your chiropodist find the best treatments for the unique needs of your feet.
The study of biomechanics dates back to ancient times but became more well known in modern history when findings claimed that changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and foot can lead to positive clinical outcomes when treating various foot and ankle conditions.
The advent of modern technology, such as computer analysis, has continued to expand on these discoveries and helps medical professionals make informed decisions about patient care. Understanding the biomechanics of the feet can help in the diagnosis of various conditions and prescribing targeted treatments that reduce or eliminate pain. For example, a chiropodist can analyze your gait, or walking pattern, and determine if there are any abnormalities that can be treated with custom orthotics or footwear modifications.
The toenails are a seemingly small and insignificant part of the feet. However, they are, in fact, incredibly important and play a significant role in daily human activity. The toenails serve a variety of different functions. Importantly, the nails help humans protect their toes against injury. The toes, since they are engaged in so much constant motion, are susceptible to injuries like scrapes and cuts. However, the toenails essentially guard the tips of the toes against these injuries. Also, the toenails improve the extent to which humans are able to feel sensations in their feet. In other words, the toenails provide more sensory input to the toes so that nerve endings in the toes can feel different sensations. If you are someone who is interested in learning more about the biomechanics of the feet, contact a chiropodist today.
The biomechanics of your feet play an important role in your foot health. To learn more, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Foot biomechanics refers to the study of the structure, function, and motion of the feet. The feet and ankles are a complex system consisting of many bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that work together to move your feet. Understanding the unique biomechanics of your own feet can help you and your chiropodist make informed decisions about your foot health care. This includes decisions about the best preventive measures to avoid foot pain, the best treatment options for various foot problems, and finding the best shoes for your feet.
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.
