Below your will find the most common conditions that affect the foot and ankle. Each condition will have a link that will direct you to an article that will give you more information. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment to speak with the podiatrist about your condition, call our office at (801)226-2421 or e-mail us at orempodiatry@gmail.com
Arthritis in the Foot: Arthritis is a disabling and occasionally crippling disease; it afflicts almost 40 million Americans. In some forms, it appears to have hereditary tendencies. Arthritic feet can result in loss of mobility and independence, but early diagnosis and proper medical care can help significantly. Find more info (here).
Athlete's Foot: Athlete's Foot, sometimes referred to as Tinea Pedia, is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occuring between the toes, but it can also affect other areas of the feet. Not all fungus conditions are athlete's foot. Other conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, may mimic athlete's foot. Find more info (here).
Bunions: Bunions form when the normal balance of forces that is exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot becomes disrupted. This disruption can lead to instability in the joint and cause the deformity. Bunions are brought about by years of abnormal motion and pressure over the MTP joint. They are, therefore, a symptom of faulty foot development and are usually caused by the way we walk and our inherited foot type or our shoes. Find more info on our blog (here).
Corns and Calluses: Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop to protect that area from irritation. They occer when something rubs against the foot repeatedly or causes excess pressure against part of the foot. Flat, widespread skin thickening indicates a callus. Skin lesions that are thicker or deeper indicate a corn. These are not contagious but may become painful if they get too thick. In people with diabetes or decreased circulation, they can lead to more serious foot problems. Find more info (here).
Custom Orthotics: Custom orthotics are specially made to support and comfort YOUR feet. They match the contours of your feet precisely and are designed for the way you move. A podiatrist will conduct a complete evaluation of your feet, ankles and legs so the orthotic can accommodate your unique foot structure and pathology. Podiatrists use orthotics to treat foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and foot, ankle, and heel pain. Clinical research studies have shown that podiatrist-prescribed foot orthotics decrease foot pain and improve function. Find more info (here).
Diabetes Wound Care and Debridement: A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Of those who develop a foot ulcer, 6% will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States, and approximately 14-24% of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer will require an amputation. Foot ulceration preceeds 85% of diabetes-related amputations. Research has shown, however, that development of a foot ulcer is preventable. Find more info (here).
Foot Surgery: Many foot problems do not respond to conservative management. Your podiatrist can determine when surgical intervention may be helpful. Often when pain or deformity persists, surgery may be appropriate to alleviate discomfort or to restore the function of your foot.
Fractures, Sprains and Strains: The feet and ankles work together to provide support and mobility to the body. A foot or ankle sprain is a soft tissue injury. Most often, a sprain occurs when an injury pulls, stretches, or tears the ligaments that connect to bone. A fracture is a break in the bone. Injuries are the most common causes of foot sprains, strains and fractures. Find more info (here).
Haglund's Deformity: Haglund's Deformity is a bony enlargement of the back of the heel bone. The shape of your foot can contribute to the development of Haglund's Deformity. If you have high arches, a tight achilles tendon, or a tendency to walk on the outside of your feet, you're more likely to develop this than other people. Find more info (here).
Hammer Toe: A hammer toe develops because of an abnormal balance of the muscles in the toes. This abnormal balance causes increased pressure on the tendons and joints of the toe, leading to its contracture. Heredity, trauma and arthritis can lead to the formation of a hammer toe. Wearing shoes that are too tight and cause the toes to squeeze can also cause a hammer toe to form. If pain persists, see a podiatrist. If left untreated, hammer toes tend to become rigid, making non-surgical treatment less of an option. Find more info (here).
Heel Pain: Heal pain has many causes. It is generally the result of faulty biomechanics (walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. The stress may also result from injury, wearing poorly constructed footwear, or being overweight. Heel pain can can be caused by heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, excessive pronation, or achilles tendinitis. Find more info (here).
Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of the nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, and swilling. The big toe is the most common location for this condition although others can become affected as well. Find more info (here).
Neuromas: A neuroma is a painful condition, also referred to as a "pinched nerve" or a nerve tumor. It is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes. It brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot. Find more info (here).
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Peripheral Arterial Disease is caused by a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the legs when fatty deposits called plaque build up. This causes the arteries to harden and narrow which results in a reduction of blood flow to the legs and feet. This is commonly referred to as poor circulation. Find more info (here).
Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral Neuropathy is damage of the peripheral nerves. Your peripheral nerves are the nerves that travel to your arms and legs. When the nerves are damaged, they don't function properly. People with peripheral neuropathy have decreased or abnormal sensation in their toes and fingers. Sometimes, they develop problems moving these parts of the body as well. Find more info (here).
Tendinitis: Tendinitis can result from an injury or over-use. Improper stretching prior to exertion or incorrect form during physical activity can also contribute to the development of tendinitis. Some people, including those with "flat feet," tight tendons or arthritis, are particularly prone to tendinitis. Find more info (here).
Toenail Fungus: Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. When the tiny organisms take hold, the nail often becomes darker in color and smells foul. If ignored, the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails. The resulting thicker nails are difficult to trim and make walking painful when wearing shoes. Find more info (here).
Warts: Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus and can appear anywhere on the skin. Those that appear on the sole of the foot are called plantar warts. Self-treatment is generally not advisable. Over-the-counter preparations contain acids or chemicals that destroy skin cells and it takes an expert to destroy abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Find more info on our blog (here).
Athlete's Foot: Athlete's Foot, sometimes referred to as Tinea Pedia, is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occuring between the toes, but it can also affect other areas of the feet. Not all fungus conditions are athlete's foot. Other conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, may mimic athlete's foot. Find more info (here).
Bunions: Bunions form when the normal balance of forces that is exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot becomes disrupted. This disruption can lead to instability in the joint and cause the deformity. Bunions are brought about by years of abnormal motion and pressure over the MTP joint. They are, therefore, a symptom of faulty foot development and are usually caused by the way we walk and our inherited foot type or our shoes. Find more info on our blog (here).
Corns and Calluses: Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop to protect that area from irritation. They occer when something rubs against the foot repeatedly or causes excess pressure against part of the foot. Flat, widespread skin thickening indicates a callus. Skin lesions that are thicker or deeper indicate a corn. These are not contagious but may become painful if they get too thick. In people with diabetes or decreased circulation, they can lead to more serious foot problems. Find more info (here).
Custom Orthotics: Custom orthotics are specially made to support and comfort YOUR feet. They match the contours of your feet precisely and are designed for the way you move. A podiatrist will conduct a complete evaluation of your feet, ankles and legs so the orthotic can accommodate your unique foot structure and pathology. Podiatrists use orthotics to treat foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and foot, ankle, and heel pain. Clinical research studies have shown that podiatrist-prescribed foot orthotics decrease foot pain and improve function. Find more info (here).
Diabetes Wound Care and Debridement: A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Of those who develop a foot ulcer, 6% will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States, and approximately 14-24% of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer will require an amputation. Foot ulceration preceeds 85% of diabetes-related amputations. Research has shown, however, that development of a foot ulcer is preventable. Find more info (here).
Foot Surgery: Many foot problems do not respond to conservative management. Your podiatrist can determine when surgical intervention may be helpful. Often when pain or deformity persists, surgery may be appropriate to alleviate discomfort or to restore the function of your foot.
Fractures, Sprains and Strains: The feet and ankles work together to provide support and mobility to the body. A foot or ankle sprain is a soft tissue injury. Most often, a sprain occurs when an injury pulls, stretches, or tears the ligaments that connect to bone. A fracture is a break in the bone. Injuries are the most common causes of foot sprains, strains and fractures. Find more info (here).
Haglund's Deformity: Haglund's Deformity is a bony enlargement of the back of the heel bone. The shape of your foot can contribute to the development of Haglund's Deformity. If you have high arches, a tight achilles tendon, or a tendency to walk on the outside of your feet, you're more likely to develop this than other people. Find more info (here).
Hammer Toe: A hammer toe develops because of an abnormal balance of the muscles in the toes. This abnormal balance causes increased pressure on the tendons and joints of the toe, leading to its contracture. Heredity, trauma and arthritis can lead to the formation of a hammer toe. Wearing shoes that are too tight and cause the toes to squeeze can also cause a hammer toe to form. If pain persists, see a podiatrist. If left untreated, hammer toes tend to become rigid, making non-surgical treatment less of an option. Find more info (here).
Heel Pain: Heal pain has many causes. It is generally the result of faulty biomechanics (walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. The stress may also result from injury, wearing poorly constructed footwear, or being overweight. Heel pain can can be caused by heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, excessive pronation, or achilles tendinitis. Find more info (here).
Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of the nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, and swilling. The big toe is the most common location for this condition although others can become affected as well. Find more info (here).
Neuromas: A neuroma is a painful condition, also referred to as a "pinched nerve" or a nerve tumor. It is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes. It brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot. Find more info (here).
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Peripheral Arterial Disease is caused by a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the legs when fatty deposits called plaque build up. This causes the arteries to harden and narrow which results in a reduction of blood flow to the legs and feet. This is commonly referred to as poor circulation. Find more info (here).
Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral Neuropathy is damage of the peripheral nerves. Your peripheral nerves are the nerves that travel to your arms and legs. When the nerves are damaged, they don't function properly. People with peripheral neuropathy have decreased or abnormal sensation in their toes and fingers. Sometimes, they develop problems moving these parts of the body as well. Find more info (here).
Tendinitis: Tendinitis can result from an injury or over-use. Improper stretching prior to exertion or incorrect form during physical activity can also contribute to the development of tendinitis. Some people, including those with "flat feet," tight tendons or arthritis, are particularly prone to tendinitis. Find more info (here).
Toenail Fungus: Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. When the tiny organisms take hold, the nail often becomes darker in color and smells foul. If ignored, the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails. The resulting thicker nails are difficult to trim and make walking painful when wearing shoes. Find more info (here).
Warts: Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus and can appear anywhere on the skin. Those that appear on the sole of the foot are called plantar warts. Self-treatment is generally not advisable. Over-the-counter preparations contain acids or chemicals that destroy skin cells and it takes an expert to destroy abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Find more info on our blog (here).
