Broken Foot

If you’re an athlete, you may be familiar with stress fractures. These are tiny cracks in one or more bones of the feet that are caused by repetitive overloading of the foot. This is common in athletes, as frequent training, running, and jumping activities can put a strain on the foot bones. When a stress fracture occurs, symptoms may at first be mild. The affected bone might ache, but only during physical activity. It may disappear with rest. However, if a fracture goes untreated, the pain may increase gradually over time until it hurts constantly and interferes with all weight-bearing activities, like standing or walking. Swelling and tenderness of the areas surrounding the broken bone are also common. 

Full fractures occur when one or more bones in the feet crack completely. This is often due to a high-impact injury to the area. Symptoms of a full fracture may include pain, bruising, tenderness, swelling, difficulty walking, and deformity. In some cases, pieces of a broken bone can poke through the skin in an open fracture. This type of fracture requires immediate medical attention due to the high risk of infection. 

A chiropodist can diagnose a fracture through an X-ray or bone scan. Treatments may be conservative and include resting, icing, and elevating the foot for a period of time to allow it to heal. Over-the-counter medications may be suggested for pain management. Sometimes you may also be prescribed a brace or other orthotic device to take pressure off the fractured bone while it heals. More severe fractures may require surgery and a lengthy recovery period.  

If you’re suffering from a broken foot bone, it’s suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist.

Possible Complications From a Broken Foot

When people break a foot, they are mostly unaware of the complications that may occur. These include a failure to completely heal, and surgery may be required to repair the bone and surrounding areas. Additionally, arthritis may develop if the fracture line enters a joint surface, and an open wound from a fracture may become infected. In cases where the foot is crushed, considerable swelling may develop. This may lead to a condition that is known as compartment syndrome. This may affect the patient’s normal blood pressure, and blood flow may be decreased to parts of the foot. A broken foot is diagnosed by having an x-ray taken, and the foot is generally put in a boot or a cast. This is typically an effective method in providing stability as the healing process takes place. People who enjoy high-impact sports may be at an increased risk of incurring a broken foot. It is beneficial to use appropriate protective equipment which may help to reduce the chances of breaking a foot. Severe pain and discomfort often accompanies a broken foot, and the toes may tingle. If you have fallen or think you may have broken your foot in another way, please consult with a chiropodist who can effectively treat this condition.

A foot fracture is a crack or break in a foot bone, often caused by repetitive stress on the foot or a high-impact foot injury. If you’re suffering from foot pain, 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

  • Pain

  • Bruising

  • Tenderness

  • Swelling

  • Difficulty walking

  • Deformity

Causes

  • Repetitive overloading of the foot

  • Having a previous fracture

  • Abnormal foot biomechanics

  • Changing training surfaces suddenly 

  • Poor footwear

  • Osteoporosis 

  • High-impact injury 

Treatments

  • Rest

  • Ice

  • Elevation

  • Pain medication

  • Braces or other orthotics

  • Casts

  • Crutches

  • Surgery in more severe cases 

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.

Read more about Broken Foot

Children’s Foot Health

Much like adults, children can also experience foot problems. Certain conditions are common in children but can be promptly treated to help your child stay healthy and active. 

Young children are often afflicted with ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can make the area where the nail has grown into the skin tender, red, warm, swollen, and painful. In some cases, an infection may develop. Ingrown toenails can typically be treated at home, but an infection may require medical treatment. Fortunately, ingrown toenails are easy to prevent. When trimming your child’s toenails, be sure to use toenail clippers to cut the nails straight across, avoiding curved edges. It is also important to not cut the nail too short. Wearing roomy, comfortable shoes can also help prevent ingrown toenails from developing. 

Plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottom of the foot due to a viral infection. Warts usually present as one or multiple circular areas of thickened skin with tiny black dots on them. Plantar warts may cause pain when pressure is applied to them while walking. Over-the-counter and prescription topical treatments can typically clear up plantar warts. 

Another common concern in children is heel pain. Sever’s disease, an overuse injury that causes inflammation in the growth plate of the heel, is especially common in children ages 8 to 14, especially if they frequently participate in running or jumping activities, like soccer or gymnastics. Sever’s disease is characterized by pain in the back or bottom of the heel, difficulty walking, and fatigue. 

If your child complains of foot pain or if you notice any abnormalities in your child’s feet, it is recommended that you take them to see a chiropodist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ways to Prevent Foot Problems for Your Child

It’s never too soon to embark on foot care for your child. Inspecting your child’s feet regularly is a good first step to avoiding future foot problems. Observe the way your child moves to see if they are toeing in or out or have knock knees. Most children are born with flat feet but pay attention to the development of the arches once they start to walk. Maintaining good foot hygiene is a great way to teach your child the importance of having healthy feet. Wash and thoroughly dry their feet each day. Socks should be clean and changed, too. A child who is active in sports may need padded socks to help absorb moisture and prevent future heel problems. Encourage them to wear different pairs of shoes each day. Pay attention to your child’s weight, as obesity can have a negative effect on their feet. If you notice any abnormalities in your child’s feet or gait, it is a good idea to consult a chiropodist who can evaluate the situation and offer treatment options.

If your child is experiencing foot or ankle 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. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain in Children

While children can experience many of the same foot problems as adults do, some foot problems may be more common during childhood. 

Causes of foot pain in children can include:

  • Deformities that are present from birth, such as flat feet or clubfoot

  • Sever’s disease, which is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone

  • Various sports injuries, such as sprains and fractures 

  • Ingrown toenails

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Plantar warts

Prevention

It is important to look after the health of children’s feet in order to prevent future problems from arising. Keep your child’s feet clean and dry, trim their toenails regularly, ensure their shoes fit properly, and keep a watchful eye on any symptoms of foot pain, such as limping. If you notice any symptoms or if your child complains of foot pain, a chiropodist can help. 

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.

Read more about Children’s Foot Health

Do You Suffer From Painful Feet?

Painful deformities, such as hammertoes, can be treated. Stop living with foot pain, and have beautiful feet again!

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

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. 

What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) occurs when the posterior tibial nerve, which runs along the inside of the foot and ankle, becomes compressed or damaged. Inflammation, pain, and numbness on the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot may result from this condition. TTS usually occurs from an injury or another foot problem like bone spurs or flat feet. It can also arise due to a health condition, such as diabetes or arthritis. Symptoms are often brought on by overuse of the foot, prolonged standing, walking, or beginning a new exercise program. It is a rare condition that can become severe and cause nerve damage. If such pain is felt, it is important to see a chiropodist for proper evaluation and recommendations for immediate treatment.

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.

Read more about Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Working on Your Feet

Standing for prolonged periods of time can cause damage to your feet. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of the job for many working people. Common foot conditions that may occur as a result of being on your feet all day include foot pain, blisters, calluses, corns, arthritis, toe deformities, sprains, bunions, athlete’s foot, and fallen arches. 

There are certain steps that you can take to prevent work-related foot problems. If you are on your feet all day, it is recommended that you avoid shoes that have high heels, pointed toes, a fit that is too loose or too tight, and a lack of arch support. If you work in a place where foot injuries are a common occupational hazard, such as a construction zone, wearing the right shoes becomes increasingly important. Wearing comfortable, properly fitted, supportive shoes made of breathable materials can mitigate the risk of developing a variety of foot problems.

Maintaining an immobile, upright stance for prolonged periods of time is bad for your foot health. If possible, take breaks throughout the day to sit down, stretch, and walk around. At home, take care of your feet with a daily foot care routine. Wash the feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Apply a moisturizer to prevent cracked heels. When trimming the toenails, trim straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Wear clean socks daily. If you notice any problems developing in your feet or ankles, consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose and treat your condition and help you maintain the health of your feet. 

Working on Your Feet

The feet are central to supporting the body and getting from place to place. If one stands for long hours, a strain is put on the feet and legs and can lead to health problems and foot pain. Foot ligaments and tendons can get irritated causing conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses. Wearing properly fitting, supportive shoes, shoe inserts, compression stockings, and standing on mats versus concrete floors can help. Changing positions, moving about, and stretching frequently can also reduce problems created by prolonged standing. If you have ongoing foot pain created from working on your feet, speak to a chiropodist who can treat foot problems you have or otherwise advise you on how to minimize foot discomfort.

If you stand all day, you may be at an increased risk of developing various foot conditions. If you are experiencing foot pain of any kind, 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 Foot Problems Are Caused by Standing?

Standing all day at work may increase your risk of developing foot or ankle problems.

Some common foot conditions that may arise from spending all day on your feet include: 

  • Foot pain

  • Blisters

  • Corns and calluses

  • Arthritis

  • Flat feet

  • Bunions

  • Sprains 

  • Athlete’s foot

Prevention

If you stand for prolonged periods of time for work, taking preventative measures to preserve the health of your feet is strongly recommended. 

Measures you can implement to help prevent foot problems include: 

  • Wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit well - these shoes should be made of breathable materials and provide you with arch support and cushioning. It is best to avoid shoes that have heels or narrow toe boxes.

  • Taking breaks to rest, walk, and stretch your feet throughout the day

  • Maintaining good foot hygiene - wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day

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.

Read more about Working on Your Feet

Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Connect With Us