Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle, located next to the ankle bones. Within the tarsal tunnel are a variety of tendons, arteries, veins, and nerves, including the posterior tibial nerve. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is squeezed or compressed. This can happen due to injuries that produce inflammation or swelling near the nerve, systemic diseases like arthritis, an abnormal structure such as a cyst putting pressure on the nerve, or flat feet straining the nerve as you walk.
Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include tingling, burning, or electrical shock sensations in the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot, as well as numbness and shooting pains. In some cases, the symptoms are isolated to one small area, like the inner ankle. In other cases, the symptoms may affect the entire foot and ankle. Symptoms typically occur during or are aggravated by physical activities like walking, running, jumping, or prolonged standing.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed by a chiropodist through physical examination of the affected foot and ankle. Imaging studies may be used if the chiropodist suspects that the underlying cause may be a structural abnormality, like a cyst. Treatment options for this condition include resting and icing the affected area, taking oral medications to reduce pain, immobilizing or bracing the affected foot, wearing supportive shoes or orthotic inserts, and physical therapy. Left untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, please consult with a chiropodist.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) is similar to the more well-known Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), in that it is an inflammatory condition caused by repetitive or high-impact movement and stress but in the latter, to the feet. Those who use their feet a lot – whether in work, sports, or daily life are more apt to suffer from this condition. Symptoms of TTS are pain – in the feet, ankles, Achilles tendon, shins, hips, or back - numbness in ankles and feet, swelling of ankles, slowing of gait, redness, and/or a hot feeling in the affected area. If one has a number of these symptoms, it may be TTS, but all these symptoms can also be caused by other things or underlying health conditions, like diabetes or arthritis. Given the myriad of possibilities causing foot problems and the potential for worsening of the problems, one should see a Chiropodist at the first sign of something out of the ordinary for a proper diagnosis and suggestions for treating whatever may be going on.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause pain and progress over time. If you are experiencing any symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, 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 Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the posterior tibial nerve, which is located within a structure called the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle, is squeezed. Compression of the posterior tibial nerve can be caused by injuries, such as ankle sprains, systemic diseases like diabetes or arthritis, strain on the tarsal tunnel due to flat feet, or an enlarged structure like a cyst squeezing the nerve.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear suddenly and are generally worsened by physical activity.
Common symptoms include:
Tingling, burning, or electrical shock sensation on the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot
Numbness
Shooting pain
Diagnosis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed through physical examination. If initial treatment is ineffective, imaging or nerve studies may also be necessary.
Treatment
Nonsurgical treatments for tarsal tunnel syndrome include resting and icing the foot, bracing or immobilizing the foot, wearing an orthotic device, modifying your footwear, and taking medications to relieve pain. Surgery may be needed if nonsurgical treatments are ineffective.
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.
Broken toes are a serious injury that requires prompt medical care. A toe bone can fracture following a sudden, traumatic injury, such as dropping a piece of furniture on the toe or stubbing it. If a toe bone has broken, you may hear a cracking sound at the time of injury. Shortly afterward, you will likely experience throbbing pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected toe. In more severe cases, the broken bone may be displaced and resting at an odd angle, or it may be poking through the skin. A severe injury requires immediate medical care.
A chiropodist can diagnose a toe fracture by taking your medical history, examining the toe, and taking an X-ray. The right treatment for you will depend on the severity of the injury. Less severe fractures are usually treated conservatively. You will likely be asked to rest the affected foot. The chiropodist may buddy tape your broken toe to the toe right next to it in order to keep the broken toe in the right position for healing. Icing the affected toe and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce pain. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reset the bones. Sometimes, medical hardware like pins or screws is needed to help the toe heal properly.
Proper healing is very important, as a broken toe that does not fully heal or that doesn’t heal correctly can cause osteoarthritis later on in life. Your toe will likely be tender and swollen for several weeks following the injury. You will typically need to rest the toe for one to two months before resuming your usual activities. If you suspect that you may have broken your toe, please schedule an appointment with a chiropodist near you.
A broken toe generally happens if it is stubbed against a piece of furniture, or if a heavy object is dropped on it. Many patients can hear a snap or pop as the toe is fractured, and it can become immediately bruised. Other symptoms can include swelling and pain when walking or moving the toe. A broken toe is diagnosed by having an X-ray taken, and this is necessary in determining what the best course of treatment is. Many patients use the buddy taping method which is taping the broken toe to the toe next to it. This is an effective method in providing the necessary stability as the healing process occurs. It is beneficial to elevate the foot as often as possible, which can help to reduce a portion of the swelling. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist who can effectively manage this condition.
A broken toe typically occurs following either a sudden, traumatic injury, like dropping a heavy piece of furniture on the toe. The impact causes the bone to fracture and produces a variety of painful symptoms. If you suspect that you’ve broken your toe, 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.
Symptoms
Throbbing pain
Swelling
Bruising
Cracking sound at the time of injury
Difficulty bearing weight on the toe
Difficulty walking
Toe resting at an unnatural angle
Diagnosis
Your chiropodist can diagnose a broken toe through physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays.
Treatment
The main goals of treatment are to ensure that the bone heals properly, as a toe fracture that doesn’t heal properly can lead to osteoarthritis. You will typically need to rest the affected toe. You may be prescribed a splint to immobilize the toe while it heals. Icing the affected toe and taking over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain. In cases of severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to reset the broken bones and make sure that they heal correctly.
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.
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.
Running injuries are a serious cause for concern. Not only are they painful, but they can also become chronic or take a while to fully heal. This makes running even more difficult in the future. To maintain your mobility and keep on running, it’s important to take measures to avoid injury.
Some of the most common running injuries, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, occur due to repetitive overuse or overtraining. When running, you should train slowly and gradually. Do not increase the mileage, intensity, or duration of your runs too quickly. Allow yourself time to rest and recover following each run. Avoid running on concrete or other hard surfaces if possible and choose dirt trails or grassy terrains instead. Hard surfaces don’t absorb shock well, putting more strain on your lower limbs.
It’s also important to wear the right shoes. Choose shoes that fit your feet properly and provide adequate cushioning and support. If you have any biomechanical differences or a dysfunctional gait, consult with a chiropodist to help you find the right running shoes.
In addition, having strong, flexible feet and ankles helps prevent injury. Do stretching and strengthening exercises daily for maximum benefits and warm-up prior to each run. To learn more about preventing running injuries, or if you have sustained a foot or ankle injury while running, please consult with a chiropodist near you.
Running, while an excellent form of exercise, can lead to a variety of foot and ankle injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and ankle sprains. Fortunately, there are preventative measures that you can take to reduce your risk of injury. When running, it’s important to avoid overtraining. Running too many miles, too often, and too quickly is a recipe for overuse injuries. When running, increase the mileage, duration, and intensity of your runs slowly over time. It’s also important to wear the right shoes. Running shoes should fit properly, cushion and support the feet, and be replaced when they become worn out. Stretching and strengthening the legs and feet can help prevent injury as well. To learn more about how to avoid running injuries, please consult 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 one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists 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.
Sesamoiditis is a condition in which the sesamoid bones of the foot and their surrounding tendons become inflamed. The sesamoids are two small, pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, just under the big toe joint. These bones aid in moving the big toe normally, allowing it to be used to push off while walking or running. The sesamoids also absorb the weight placed on the ball of the foot during walking, running, and jumping activities.
Sesamoiditis is typically the result of overuse. Repetitive activities that put excess pressure on the sesamoid bones, such as jogging, can cause inflammation in the sesamoid bones and surrounding tendons. Symptoms of sesamoiditis include dull, chronic pain beneath the big toe joint, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bending and straightening the big toe.
Sesamoiditis is typically diagnosed based on medical history and a physical examination. Sometimes imaging studies, such as X-rays, may be ordered to rule out any fractures. Treatment for sesamoiditis is conservative and usually involves padding, strapping, taping, or immobilizing the affected toe to reduce pressure and pain on the toe. Resting the affected toe is essential to ensure healing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections can also be used to reduce pain. Orthotic devices may be prescribed to cushion the balls of the feet while walking. To learn more about sesamoiditis, please consult with a chiropodist.
The sesamoids are two small, pea-shaped bones located beneath the big toe joint in the ball of the foot. These tiny bones help the big toe with movement. Sesamoiditis occurs when the sesamoids and surrounding tendons are injured or inflamed, usually due to overuse in repetitive running, walking, or jumping activities. Symptoms of sesamoiditis include dull, long-term pain beneath the big toe joint that varies in intensity based on the activities you do and the shoes that you wear. Treatments for sesamoiditis can include padding, strapping, taping, or immobilizing the affected area, as well as taking oral medications or wearing orthotic devices in the shoes to help cushion the feet. If you are experiencing the symptoms of sesamoiditis, it is recommended that you seek the care of a chiropodist.
Sesamoiditis can be painful and prevent you from participating in certain activities. To learn more about this condition, 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 Sesamoiditis?
Sesamoiditis refers to an injury of the sesamoids (two small, pea-shaped bones located beneath the big toe joint) or the tendons and/or surrounding tissue in the joint.
Causes
Sesamoiditis is typically the result of an overuse injury caused by activities that put repetitive pressure on the sesamoid bones and the tendons involved with those bones. These activities can include basketball, football, running, ballet, and tennis. People who have high foot arches and those who frequently wear high-heeled shoes are also at an increased risk of developing sesamoiditis.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of sesamoiditis include:
Dull, longstanding pain under the big toe joint
Swelling
Bruising
Difficulty straightening or bending the big toe
Pain during movement
Diagnosis
Sesamoiditis can be diagnosed by physical examination and X-rays. Sometimes other imaging studies, such as a bone scan, MRI, or ultrasound may be needed if damage to the area surrounding the sesamoid bones is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment options include conservative measures, such as padding, strapping, taping or immobilizing the affected foot, taking oral medications or getting steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling, and wearing orthotic devices. Surgical treatment may be necessary if conservative measures are not effective.
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.
