A bunion is a large, bony bump that develops on the joint of the big toe.  A similar condition that forms on the pinky toe is called a bunionette. Either condition can cause a bending of the toe into the other toes. At first, a bunion may not be problematic, but as the condition progresses the big toe pushes further into the other toes and the bony bump becomes bigger. This happens quite slowly and often goes unnoticed or ignored until bunion surgery is needed to straighten the toe. 4 possible types of bunion surgery include the following: Osteotomy—In this type of surgery, a series of t ..read more

The use of custom orthotic shoe inserts and devices can provide more support and treat abnormalities in foot structure that cause many foot and ankle problems. The improved spinal alignment also helps treat knee, back and hip issues. Basic inserts like generic arch and heel supports can be purchased at shoe stores and pharmacies. These may be adequate in many cases, but the custom orthotics available from your foot doctor will fit your precise foot shape and provide superior performance. Specially-made orthotic braces can be used with properly-fitted shoes to increase ankle support and stab ..read more

We don’t normally think of our feet as being susceptible to skin cancer since they don’t tend to get a lot of sun exposure, but cancer can affect your feet. Because it often goes unnoticed, the consequences can be deadly. Check your feet for lesions regularly and bring them to the attention of your foot care professional. 3 types of skin cancer that can affect the feet and ankles include the following: Basal cell carcinoma—This type of cancer grows very slowly and may first appear as a pink or white bump with a waxy appearance. As this type of cancer grows, it may become encrusted and will ..read more

A recent estimate by the World Health Organization indicates that over 375 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes worldwide. In another ten or fifteen years, that number is expected to explode, with diabetes becoming the sixth leading cause of severe disability and even death. Since one of the major symptoms of diabetes is a reduction of feeling in the feet due to nerve damage, people can be unaware that a wound or other injury has even occurred. Since the immune response in people with diabetes is so slow, infection can rapidly set in. Daily foot inspections are essential for not ..read more

Ingrown toenails are a common and painful condition that often affects the big toe, but any of your toes can be affected. The condition is characterized by the side of the toenail growing into the tender skin on the edge of your toes rather than over the top. Just wearing shoes can be very painful since they can push the nail into your tender skin with every step. Untreated, ingrown toenails can lead to fungal toenail or bacterial infections, so be sure to see your foot doctor for the proper treatment. 4 treatments for ingrown toenails include the following: Cut your toenails carefully—The ..read more

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon that you have in your body. It connects from the heel bone to the calf muscle and makes it possible to stand, walk, and exercise. While runners and athletes are more susceptible to experiencing the inflammation and pain of Achilles tendonitis, it can also happen to people who have been sedentary for a long period. Suddenly starting an exercise program without proper warm up and training can cause considerable tendon pressure. Wearing high heeled shoes can cause the calf muscle to shorten which also stresses the Achilles tendon. Symptoms of Achilles ..read more

Having calluses and cracked heels is a common foot problem that is usually just a minor annoyance for the majority of people and some thick skin is essential and beneficial to the proper cushioning and protection of your feet. However, when calluses get too thick and start cracking and bleeding, they can be very painful and make it hard to walk. A heel fissure can develop possibly leading to an infection and even amputation in severe cases. Some of the causes of cracked heels include the following: Standing and walking on hard surfaces all day for work Being overweight adds pressure to yo ..read more

High-heeled shoes are becoming increasingly vilified for all the pain and discomfort they cause. In fact, they are even now being shunned by fashion houses in favor of strutting in luxury sneakers on the catwalk! Women have suffered from the ill effects of high heels for a long time, but the trends are finally leading to more sensible options that don’t cause heel pain and other painful conditions like corns, bunions, and ingrown toenails, just to name a few. Some of the major foot issues caused by wearing high-heeled shoes include the following: Toe deformities—High heeled shoes compress ..read more

The bunion is a common big toe deformity that is easily identifiable from the bony bump that forms on the top or side of the big toe joint. As the bunion matures, the big toe is bent into the other toes with a lot of force causing rubbing, blisters, and even underlapping and overlapping toes. You inherit the tendency to develop bunions from your parents, but pressure from your footwear can increase this tendency. Wearing tightly-fitting shoes or pumps that cramp your toes together in the front of the shoe will accelerate the formation of bunions and other toe deformities like hammertoes. Pe ..read more

Orthotics are specially-made shoe inserts used to treat many foot and ankle problems and also to help increase athletic performance. Since achieving optimum weight distribution is essential to the proper functioning of your feet and ankles, you should have a computerized gait analysis performed by your foot doctor to see if your feet and ankles are functioning properly. Correcting problems with pronation can also have great beneficial effects on your knees, hips, and back as well. For patients who have diabetes, orthotic inserts can be combined with special shoes to improve balance and help ..read more