Common Foot Problems

If your foot problem persists, contact us any see one our foot doctors.

Achilles Tendon

Achilles Tendon

• Tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and can withstand forces of 1,000 pounds or more. Both professional and weekend athletes may suffer from Achilles tendonitis, a common overuse injury and inflammation of the tendon.
• Rupture. Achilles tendon rupture is an injury that affects the back of your lower leg. It most commonly occurs in people playing recreational sports.

Ankle

Ankle

• Ankle Sprains. Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones of the foot, which may result in excessive stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
• Ankle instability. Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring “giving way” of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic Foot Care

• Diabetes and Your Feet. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to foot problems because diabetes can damage nerves and reduce blood flow to the feet making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. With proper foot care from a podiatrist, you can manage the effects of diabetes on your feet.

Heel Pain

Heel Pain

• Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
• Heel spurs. Heel spurs result from strain on the muscles and ligaments of the foot, by stretching of the long band of tissue that connects the heel and the ball of the foot, and by repeated tearing away of the lining or membrane that covers the heel bone.

Mid Foot

Mid-foot

• Flat feet (fallen arches). A common and usually painless condition, flatfeet may occur when the arches don’t develop during childhood. In other cases, flatfeet may develop after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age. Flatfeet can sometimes contribute to problems in your ankles and knees because the condition can alter optimal alignment of your legs.
• Metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia is a type of pain and inflammation that occurs in a part of the foot known as the metatarsal (ball of foot). Most commonly, the first metatarsal head is affected – the ball of the foot just behind the big toe. Physically active people can suffer from this condition as it can be caused by high impact of the foot that occurs in activities such as running or jumping.
• Neuromas. A neuroma is a painful condition, also referred to as a “pinched nerve” or a nerve tumor. It is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes. It brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.

Pediatric Foot Care

Pediatric foot care

• Flat feet. Flat feet is common in children and is characterized by a visually flat foot. Most kids grow out of it as their tissues develop, but some children can exhibit painful symptoms and problems. A podiatrist can help determine if your child needs treatment for flat feet.
• Toe walking. Walking on the toes or the ball of the foot, also known as toe walking, is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk. Most children outgrow toe walking.
• Injuries. Children are susceptible to foot injuries because they are active and still developing their muscles and connective tissues. Adolescents and teenagers are also at risk for a variety of athletic injuries related to the feet.

Shoes, Orthotics and inserts

Shoes, orthotics and inserts

• Shoes. Proper footwear is one of the most important and easiest things to do to take care of your feet. A podiatrist can help you determine what type of feet you have and what type of shoes work best for your feet.
• Orthotics. Some foot types benefit from custom orthotics to allow for good foot bio-mechanics. We can help you decide if orthotics are right for you.
• Inserts. Shoe inserts are any kind of non-prescription foot support designed to be worn inside a shoe. Shoe inserts can provide extra arch support, cushion, or heel support. Depending on your foot, inserts can help you have comfortable feet and avoid injury.

Skin Conditions

Skin Conditions

• Plantar warts. Plantar warts are noncancerous skin growths on the soles of your feet caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Plantar warts often develop beneath pressure points in your feet, such as the heels or balls of your feet. There are several good treatment options for plantar warts.
• Foot wound care. Proper wound care is necessary to prevent infection, assure there are no other associated injuries, and to promote healing of the skin. For people with diabetes this is even more important to avoid the risk of limb loss.
• Corns and calluses. Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop to protect that area from irritation. They occur when something rubs against the foot repeatedly or causes excess pressure against part of the foot. If the thickening of skin occurs on the bottom of the foot, it’s called a callus. If it occurs on the top of the foot (or toe), it’s called a corn.

Toenails

Toenails

• Fungus. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi causing a thickening and discoloration of the nail. The resulting thicker nails are difficult to trim and make walking painful when wearing shoes. Onychomycosis can also be accompanied by a secondary bacterial or yeast infection in or about the nail plate.
• Ingrown toenails. Ingrown nails, the most common nail impairment, are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, and swelling.

Toes

Toes

• Bunions. A bunion is a “bump” on the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that forms when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. The toe is forced to bend toward the others, causing an often painful lump of bone on the foot.
• Hammertoe. A hammer toe is a contracture, or bending, of the toe at the first joint of the digit. This bending causes the toe to appear like an upside-down V when looked at from the side. Any toe can be involved, but the condition usually affects the second through fifth toes, known as the lesser digits.
• Arthritis. Arthritis, in general terms, is inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints. It more often occurs in the toes.