COMMON FOOT CONDITIONS
BUNIONS:
An enlargement of bone at the base of the large toe that often is painful. Bunions usually are inherited, but can be
aggravated by ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes. They are a structural deformity that requires surgery to correct, involving the repositioning of the bone as well as the removal of the bump and realignment of structures around the large toe joint.
HAMMERTOES:
A rigid contracture of a toe whereby it doesn't lie flat and becomes painful from rubbing against shoes. Surgery usually is needed to straighten out the toe.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS:
A soft tissue structure (plantar fascia) attaches onto the heel bone and stretches when weightbearing,
causing pain on the heel bottom. This stretching over an extended time period will cause the plantar fascia to become
inflamed and the heel pain more extreme. Conservative therapies, such as injections, oral anti-inflammatory medicine, stretching exercises and orthotics, will relieve the pain. In some cases, Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or heel surgery may be needed to lengthen the tightened structure.
WARTS:
Caused by a virus and are contagious, warts can grow alone or in groups. They often are found on the bottom of the foot and may be painful when weightbearing. A laser is used to destroy the cells and sterilize the surrounding tissue, ridding the wart from the foot and lessening the chances or recurrence.
FUNGAL NAILS:
A fungus infects the nail, causing it to become thick and discolored. Treatment includes topical ointments for mild infections and oral medications or non-invasive laser therapy for more severe infections.
INGROWN NAILS:
May occur when one or both nail corners (or borders) grow into the skin, causing irritation, redness and swelling. The laser is used to destroy the undesired nail cells so that the offending section of the nail should not return.
FLAT FEET:
Can be caused by the bony architecture of the feet or by muscle imbalance; can cause hammertoes and bunions as well as arch, foot and leg fatigue if not addressed. Most often treated with custom orthotics to realign the foot structure. |
