July 2022

A puncture wound has a small hole of entry caused by a pointed object, such as stepping on a nail. It differs from a cut, which produces a long tear in the skin. Puncture wounds might disguise something serious going on, such as a developing infection, and must be handled differently than cuts. Foot puncture wounds are more common in warm weather when people are more apt to go barefoot. These types of wounds should be treated within 24 hours, because there is danger of embedding the piercing object under the skin. Foreign bodies from dirt and debris or things like glass, needles, seashells and other sharp objects can include bacteria that get into the wound. Socks and shoes might interfere and get tangled up in the wound at the time of puncture as well. Puncture wounds are, by nature, unclean because the object doing the puncturing is not sterile. Anything that remains in the wound increases the chance of complications. If you have sustained a puncture wound on your foot, please see a chiropodist who can determine the depth and severity of the wound, clean it out, and provide the best methods to treat it.

Wound care is the process of treating and preventing wounds on the feet. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as diabetic foot wounds are common and can lead to serious complications when left untreated. To learn more about proper wound care, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Why Is Wound Care Important for Diabetics?

While wound care is important for maintaining the health of your feet, it is especially important for people with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation, causing foot wounds to heal very slowly or not to heal at all. Diabetics also frequently suffer from neuropathy or nerve loss. This means no matter how big or little the wound, they might not feel it on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. This is why it is imperative that diabetics complete daily foot checks.

Wound Care Basics

The best way to care for wounds is to prevent them in the first place. It is recommended that people with diabetes perform a daily examination of their feet to locate cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds. Early detection allows for ample time to treat the wounds and prevent further complications. If you notice a wound at home, you can clean it using water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Seeing a chiropodist, who can examine your feet thoroughly and treat any existing wounds, can also help you maintain proper foot health. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a noticeable bony protrusion that develops on the side of the big toe and can be unsightly. As it gradually forms, it can put pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe, which may push it toward the second toe. Some patients have swelling, redness, and general foot pain as a result of a developing bunion. If the bunion is not treated promptly, it may become difficult to wear shoes that are generally worn, and larger shoes may need to be purchased. Research has indicated people may have bunions from genetic reasons, or from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Foot structure may play a significant factor in getting a bunion, and calluses can form as toes rub against each other or the shoe. If you see the signs of a bunion starting to form, it is strongly advised that you seek the counsel of a chiropodist who can offer you correct treatment options.

Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Are Bunions? 

A bunion is a bony bump that protrudes from the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused due to a misalignment of the first metatarsal. The characteristic bump of a bunion forms when the metatarsal shifts outwards from its proper position. Bunions develop slowly over time and progressively worsen without treatment. The skin over the bunion may develop calluses due to the friction from shoes. Eventually, a bunion can make walking uncomfortable or even painful. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and are especially common in women and older adults.

Symptoms

A bunion appears as a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe.

The bunion may also: 

• Be swollen, red, or sore 

• Develop corns or calluses over it

• Cause pain

• Limit the big toe’s range of motion

Treatment

There are several different treatments available for bunions. Conservative treatment options include wearing shoes with a wider toe box, cushioning the bunion with a specialized pad, wearing shoe inserts, icing the bunion if it becomes inflamed, and taking medications to relieve pain. In more severe cases, more invasive procedures may be done. This may involve removing the swollen tissue around the bunion, straightening the big toe, realigning the bones at the front of the foot, or a combination of these procedures. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs

Achilles tendonitis happens when there are tears in the tendon from overuse. When the Achilles heel ruptures it is usually because an injury created a sudden strain on that area. If this happens, there will be intense pain or a popping sound that can lead to swelling, burning, and stiffness in the area. It is important that if you damage your Achilles tendon, you rest your foot and seek care. At first you might not be able to tell if you have ruptured your tendon or just pulled a muscle but if the pain is intense and does not go away, the stiffness is greater than average, and you cannot stand to push off from the affected foot, you probably have or are near a rupture. See a chiropodist as soon as possible for an examination, an X-ray, and/or an MRI for a definite diagnosis and plan for treatment.

Achilles tendonitis is a common injury of the Achilles tendon, a band of fibrous tissue that runs along the back of the lower leg. The Achilles tendon can also rupture, making it impossible to lift the foot. If you are suffering from heel or calf pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Causes of Achilles tendon injuries include: 

• Repetitive stress or overuse

• Sudden increase in activity levels

• High impact injury

• Calf muscle tightness or weakness

• Altered foot biomechanics

• Heel bone spurs

• Underlying medical conditions that weaken the tendon

Symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury include: 

• Heel and calf pain that worsens following exercise

• Chronic heel and calf pain

• Sudden pain in the back of the ankle or calf

• A popping or snapping sensation

• Thickened lump in the Achilles tendon

• Ankle and calf stiffness

• Decreased range of motion in the affected foot

• Swelling

• Difficulty walking 

Treatment

• Resting the affected leg

• Applying ice 

• Compressing the foot and ankle

• Elevating the injured leg 

• Wearing orthotics

• Low impact exercises

• Stretches

• Strengthening exercises 

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications

• Cortisone injections

• Surgery, if the tendon is ruptured 

Achilles tendon injuries can be very painful and lead to reduced mobility if left untreated. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Your pinky toe is small, but if it gets injured it can be quite painful. Pain and swelling in this toe could develop from a variety of conditions including a break, tight-fitting shoes, a small bunion, hammertoe, a bone spur, or something else. This toe is particularly prone to injury because it is located on the outside of the foot. Sometimes it is easy to know why you feel pinky toe pain, (like if you dropped something heavy on it or your toe rubs against a tight-fitting shoe) but what is going on inside the toe may not be known. Rest and elevation may bring relief to a painful toe but additional treatment could be needed. If it is difficult to put weight on the foot, the toe seems out of alignment, or you have an open wound, it is particularly important to get it checked by a chiropodist who can properly diagnose the problem and treat it. 

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures

• Sinus tarsi syndrome

• Extensor tendonitis

• Tibialis anterior tendonitis

• Gout

• Athlete’s foot

• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Foot cramps

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

• Plantar fibromatosis

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

• Stress fractures

• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain

• Cuboid syndrome

• Peroneal tendonitis

• Stress fractures

• Bunions

• Corns or calluses

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendonitis

• Bone spurs

• Heel fractures

• Retrocalcaneal bursitis

• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout

• Hammertoe

• Turf toe 

• Bunions

• Ingrown toenails

• Blisters 

• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.