The title of this post is a line most famously spoken by Romeo in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but believe it or not, it also has applications to health and medicine! Most of us can recall a time when we went to visit a healthcare professional and he or she diagnosed us with a disease that was named after the person who discovered it. Unfortunately, those names do not tell us much about the condition itself. Here are a few “named” foot and ankle conditions that you might be experiencing!

• Haglund’s deformity: This is the name for a hard enlargement on the back of your heel. It usually forms as a result of the bony part of your heel rubbing against your rigid-backed footwear, leading to swelling and discomfort.
• Raynaud’s disease: This condition occurs when the small arteries in your feet and hands become narrow due to stress or cold weather. The lack of circulation leaves your extremities feeling cold or numb until they are adequately warmed again.
• Charcot foot: Charcot foot occurs when the bones in your feet become weak due to chronic conditions such as arthritis or neuropathy. The bones become more susceptible to fractures and your feet may suffer from collapsed arches or ulcers.
• Sever’s disease: In children, especially those who are active, the growth plate on the heel may become inflamed and sore. It occurs more often during periods of rapid growth, and is made worse by continuous impact in athletic shoes or on a hard surface.

So what’s in a name? Sometimes, not all that much! Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Central New York’s go-to board-certified podiatrist, is here to explain your foot and ankle ailments in basic, easy-to-understand terms. At Syracuse Podiatry, Dr. D’Amico can treat the symptoms of the above conditions, the underlying condition itself, and much more. If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment, feel free to contact the wonderful staff of Syracuse Podiatry, or call our Fayetteville office at (315) 446-3668!