Diabetes is a systemic disorder characterized by high blood sugar. One area of the body that this condition is particularly hard on is the feet. Diabetes is associated with diabetic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. The nerves in the lower limbs are frequently affected. When these nerves are damaged, sensory information does not travel properly from the lower limbs to the brain. This means that pain signals from foot injuries, such as cuts and scrapes, are less likely to register and injuries go unnoticed until they have gotten progressively worse. Diabetes also causes poor circulation. Without the blood delivering adequate nutrients to damaged areas, foot injuries will heal slowly and poorly. Even small cuts can quickly become diabetic foot wounds and ulcers, with an increased risk of infection and related complications due to another problem associated with diabetes — an insufficient immune system. Being proactive about foot care is the best way to prevent diabetic foot wounds and their many complications. To learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with a chiropodist.  

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, 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. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

• Poor circulation
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
• Infection
• Corns and calluses
• Dry, cracked skin
• Nail disorders
• Hammertoes
• Bunions
• Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

• Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds
• Bruising or discoloration
• Swelling
• Rash
• Foul odor
• Nail changes
• Hair loss
• Warmth and inflammation
• Deformities
• Lower limb pain
• Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

High-heeled shoes may be stylish, but they are not great for your feet or your body. High-heeled shoes change your posture while walking, forcing your feet into a downward extended position. This increases pressure on the balls of the feet and the toes, causing foot pain. You adjust the rest of your body to compensate for this change, which can cause back pain. High heels also change your gait, or walking pattern, limit the motion of your ankles, cause contraction and inflammation of the Achilles tendon, and can squish and deform your toes. If you must wear high heels, limit them to special occasions and take them off occasionally to stretch and relax your feet. For more information about the link between high heels and foot pain, please consult with a chiropodist. 

High heels have been in style for centuries, but unfortunately, they have also been damaging feet for centuries. If you would like to learn more about how high heels can hurt your feet, 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. 

High heels can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Foot and ankle pain
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Toe pain and deformities
• Gait abnormalities
• Achilles tendonitis
• Changes in posture
• Difficulty balancing
• Leg, hip, and back pain

If you are reluctant to abandon your high heels, you can still wear them, but should take measures to minimize damage to your feet: 

• Wear shoes with heels no higher than 2 inches
• Choose properly fitted shoes
• Choose shoes with a wide toe box
• Wear high heels infrequently
• When wearing high heels, take them off periodically to stretch and relax your feet 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

Hammertoe is a toe deformity characterized by toes that bend downward at the middle joint. This deformity can affect one or multiple small toes. Other than a visible deformity, symptoms can include pain, irritation, corns, and calluses on the affected toes as they rub against your shoes, inflammation, redness, a burning sensation, and a permanent tightening and stiffness of the affected toes. Hammertoe usually develops slowly over time and gets progressively worse if left untreated. Conservative treatment options, such as footwear modifications and orthotics, can stop or slow the progression. Over-the-counter pain medications and padding can help alleviate pain. If you suffer from painful hammertoe, it's suggested that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Hammertoe is a common foot deformity in which one or more of the small toes bends downwards at the middle joint. Though it may seem like a purely cosmetic issue, this is not the case. Hammertoes can be uncomfortable, painful, and even debilitating in severe cases. If you suffer from hammertoe, 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

• One or more small toes bending downward at the middle joint
• Pain or irritation on the affected toes
• Corns and calluses
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Stiff toe joints
• Sores on the tops of the toes

Diagnosis

A chiropodist can typically diagnose hammertoes through physical examination. X-rays may need to be taken to see the extent of the damage.

Treatment

Hammertoes tend to progressively worsen with time, so getting prompt treatment is very important. In its early stages, the progression of hammertoe can be slowed down or stopped. Your chiropodist may suggest changes in your footwear. Wearing wide, comfortable shoes with a larger toe area and a low heel can help you avoid putting pressure on your toes. You may also be prescribed orthotics. Over-the-counter medications or corticosteroid injections may be used to relieve pain. If you have any corns or calluses, your chiropodist may suggest padding them to avoid further irritation. In advanced cases, surgery may be suggested. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

A toe fracture is a serious injury. It’s typically caused by stubbing the toe or having something fall onto the toe. Immediately following the injury, your toe will throb. You may also hear the cracking sound of a toe bone breaking. A broken toe often swells, and the skin around the injury usually becomes bruised. All of this leads to pain that can make it difficult or impossible to bear weight on the toe. Severe breaks can also cause the toe to dislocate and bend at an unnatural angle. In an open fracture, the broken bone may even poke through the skin. If you have injured your toe, it’s strongly suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. 

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 Niagara Falls, ON .