Items filtered by date: July 2021

You may have heard of bunions, which sometimes pop up at the base of the big toe joint, but what is a bunionette? Bunionettes, also known as tailor’s bunions, are small, bony bumps that occur at the base of the pinky toe joints. Much like regular bunions, bunionettes can be painful, swollen, and red. Finding comfortable shoes that don’t rub up against the affected area may be difficult. Without treatment, bunionettes usually worsen over time. Fortunately, conservative treatments such as wearing wider shoes, a toe spacer, padding, and activity modifications, are often effective in managing the condition. Surgery to correct a bunionette may be beneficial for a smaller percentage of people. To learn more about bunionettes and what treatment methods are best for you, please consult with a podiatrist.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact one of the chiropodists of Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The cuboid is a cube-shaped bone located in the middle of your foot. This bone can become injured or dislocated following an injury to the foot. People who play sports that put a lot of stress on the feet and people with notable overpronation of the feet are said to have an increased risk for developing this condition. The most common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain and weakness in the affected foot, particularly when bearing weight. The foot may also be swollen, tender, or red. These symptoms can be severe enough to make walking or standing difficult, sometimes causing a limp, and interfering with daily activities. Symptoms can also have a sudden or gradual onset. If your foot is showing any signs or symptoms of cuboid syndrome, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Corns and warts are two similar looking skin growths that can crop up on the feet. A wart is a fleshy growth on the foot caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The warts tend to have a rough, grainy texture, with small black dots appearing in the center. Warts can grow by themselves or in clusters. Corns, on the other hand, are thick, hard bumps that develop on the skin due to repetitive friction. Corns usually grow on the tops and sides of the feet, particularly on top of the toes, or in between the toes. They may be surrounded by dry, flaky skin. Both corns and warts can be painful, especially if pressure is applied to them while standing or walking. Whether you have warts or corns, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, who can diagnose your condition and prescribe the right treatment for you. 

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of the chiropodists of Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians  will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our clinicians to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A small percentage of people worldwide develop toenail fungus. Research has indicated the amount of people who are afflicted with this type of fungus can increase as the aging process occurs. Common symptoms many people experience with toenail fungus can include yellowed and brittle nails, and in severe cases, the nail may turn black and fall off. This ailment is caused by a fungus that lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, and is considered to be contagious. These types of areas can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and surrounding areas. Research has indicated the chances of developing toenail fungus may diminish when appropriate shoes are worn while in these types of environments. If you have symptoms of this type of fungal infection, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can discuss what the best course of treatment is for you.

For more information about treatment, contact one of the chiropodists of Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.