Background Ganglion cysts are the most common benign soft tissue mass in the foot, even though they occur more in the hands and wrists (2). They are nicknamed the “Bible cyst” due to the historical treatment of smashing the mass with a heavy book (I do not recommend). Presentation & Symptoms The cyst consists of an encapsulated sack filled with a clear gelatinous material. They typically originate from joints or along tendon sheaths, present as a round lump, and can be singular or multilobulated in nature (2). On the lower extremities, they most often occur along the extensor (top) surfa ..read more

The number of snowboarding participants in the U.S. has greatly increased from over 2 million in 1995 to about 7.6 million in the 2015-2016 season (3,6). This increase in participation is likely due, in part, to the introduction of snowboarding into the 1998 Winter Olympics (6). With an increase in involvement, one would also expect an increase in the injury rate; however, a 2018 study showed differently. Seleznev et al evaluated snowboarding injuries from 2010 to 2016 that presented to the emergency department. During that time period, the overall rate of snowboarding-related injuries decrea ..read more

With pregnancy, comes significant body changes, some of which can actually take place in the feet. Added body weight and fluid retention, combined with hormonal changes, can cause increased swelling in the lower extremities, foot pain, and ligament laxity that may result in structural changes in the feet. These effects can lead to abnormal gait patterns and further musculoskeletal problems further up the kinetic chain, including the knees and back (3). Therefore, it is important to understand how some of these changes affect the body and learn ways to possibly prevent, manage, or treat them ..read more

Gout is the accumulation of urate crystals in joints, which occurs either by overproduction or, more commonly, underexcretion of uric acid (1). It only affects about 4% of adults in America, but it can become debilitating, as well as a life-long problem for those afflicted by it (3). The big toe joint is the most commonly affected joint but the knees, ankles, and finger joints can also common sites for gout to occur. SYMPTOMS/STAGES The symptoms associated with gout can vary depending on the stage. As such, it is important to obtain a thorough history from the person, in addition to performin ..read more

Custom orthotics are specially-made foot devices that go into shoes to help cushion, support, and/or control abnormal motions of feet. In turn, they can improve performance, prevent injury, and relieve pain, as well as slow down the progression of foot deformities and osteoarthritis. In addition, orthotics can also help with realignment of the lower extremities, including the knees, hips, and back. When it comes to deciding whether or not you need custom orthotics, rather than just over-the-counter (OTC) inserts, the decision should be based on several factors, including your foot type, what ..read more

BACKGROUND: The term “tailor’s bunion” (aka bunionette) dates back to the 19th century when tailors would sit cross-legged, putting pressure along the lateral sides of their feet, causing irritation, callus formation, and pain to the 5th metatarsal head (1). Today, a tailor’s bunion is more commonly considered a structural or biomechanical deformity (1). It is similar to the bunion along the inside of the foot, but this one occurs on the other side, around the 5th metatarsal head and its associated toe joint. CAUSES: There are several potential causes for a painful tailor’s bunion. Tight shoe ..read more

Injury and damage to the peroneal tendons can present in many forms, from tendinitis and tenosynovitis to subluxations and dislocations to even tears and ruptures. Although a very infrequent occurrence in the lower extremity, the diagnosis of peroneal subluxation (sometimes referred to as snapping ankle or popping peroneal syndrome) can often be missed. Because it occurs most often among athletes, it is commonly misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain (1,3). Therefore, it is important to recognize and treat it early to prevent further, more chronic, conditions from resulting. Anatomy There are two p ..read more

Arthritis is most often associated with advanced age because the more we walk and the more mileage we put on our feet, the more wear and tear there is on the joints. Arthritis of the big toe joint can result from several other factors, as well, though, including foot structure, acute trauma, athletic injuries, and gout. Limited motion of the big toe joint, also known as hallux limitus, is a progressive disorder that starts with flattening of the 1st metatarsal head, mild cartilage damage, and small bone spurs, and it ends with a stiff joint that has minimal to no available motion (aka hallux ..read more

According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2015, more than 30 million Americans had diabetes with 1.5 million new cases diagnosed each year (1). As the number of individuals affected by diabetes increases, so should the awareness. From head to toe, diabetes can have significant and detrimental effects on the body, causing such things as poor eye vision, kidney damage, and peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, it is important to not only control your blood sugar levels, if you have diabetes, but to also take preventative measures to help minimize the risk of the potential complications and ..read more

When a person breaks a bone, one of the first questions that often gets asked is whether or not surgery is required. Many people associate a broken bone with the need for surgery, but that is not always the case. In certain circumstances, even when surgery would help restore the alignment and give stability to the injured region, the patient is not an ideal candidate. Therefore, surgeons must take several things into consideration when determining whether it is more beneficial for someone to undergo surgical correction for their break or have it be treated conservatively. Below is a list of q ..read more