The Achilles tendon often becomes stretched, swollen, and tender from the repetitive stress and pressure of overuse that occurs in sports, exercise, and being on your feet all day for work. Athletes and dancers are very susceptible to Achilles tendon injury, and people who are just starting out on an exercise program without warming up […]
A fungal toenail infection often causes the toenail to become brittle, yellow, and crumbly. The infection can linger for months before showing any serious symptoms, and it is rarely painful, but the often disgusting smell that is released by the fungi can be quite shocking. By avoiding contact with the fungal organisms in the first […]
Physical therapy has a great reputation as a way to slowly improve foot and ankle functioning after a surgical procedure, but if you incorporate physical therapy into your daily or weekly routine, you can actually avoid many of the complications that lead to the need for surgery in the first place. Physical therapy exercises can […]
A hammertoe is a deformity that affects the middle toes causing one or more of them to bend abnormally. The condition is caused by an imbalance in the tendons that may be inherited, but the tendency to develop hammertoes can be increased by wearing tight-fitting shoes like high heels. When the toe or toes bend, […]
Bunions are toe deformities that cause the big toe to bend towards the other toes at the large joint creating a bony bump on the top or side of the toe (or both). A similar condition that causes the pinky toe to bend is called a bunionette. While bunions don’t always cause pain or other […]
Since young children are not entirely capable of relaying the message that they are having foot or ankle problems, you need to pay attention to their movements and behaviors. If your child is limping, tiptoeing, or foot dragging, you should make an appointment to see your foot doctor to make sure it isn’t anything serious. […]
A foot cramp is caused by the contraction of muscles causing pain and locking of the muscle. The deleterious effects can range from minor to extremely debilitating. Oftentimes a foot cramp can be counteracted by pulling hard on the big toe to help release the contraction of the muscle. Some of the many possible causes […]
Problems in the proper functioning of the blood vessels, arteries, and nerves that supply your feet and ankles are responsible for the majority of cases of foot numbness, and often the sensation is temporary. You notice this happening when you get up after sitting in one place for a long time and you think that […]
While some people have a genetic tendency to develop ingrown toenails, the main causes can often be easily treated or avoided altogether. Painful swelling, bleeding, and infections are common symptoms, and for the poor folks who have several toes affected at once, the condition can be quite debilitating and frustrating to treat properly without the […]
Stress fractures (or hairline fractures), are created by the repetitive pounding that occurs during activities like recreational and competitive sports, especially those that involve a high degree of running, jumping, and quick stops and starts. Ballet dancers are also more likely to experience stress fractures. Stress fractures usually develop slowly and may show intermittent symptoms […]
