July 2023

While dedicated pickleball shoes may not be abundant on the market yet, understanding the differences between pickleball shoes and tennis shoes is crucial for optimizing your game performance. Comfort, traction, and support are key attributes that pickleball shoes should possess, enabling swift court movement, quick direction changes, and preventing slips or injuries. Although tennis shoes can suffice if their soles provide adequate grip, pickleball shoes offer distinct advantages. They are lighter, possess a lower center of gravity, and provide enhanced support and grip. This is helpful in allowing players to maintain balance, maneuver swiftly, and execute abrupt stops and starts effectively. Conversely, tennis shoes distribute weight more evenly, tend to be heavier, and offer greater ankle support, but are less suitable for quick directional changes. Certain pickleball courts may also enforce specific footwear to protect the court and ensure player safety. If you are a pickleball enthusiast or aspiring player, it is suggested that you consult with a chiropodist who can help you choose the best footwear tailored to the demands of the sport.

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, 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. 

Common Injuries Among Athletes: 

• Achilles tendon injuries

• Ankle strains or sprains

• Plantar fasciitis

• Fractures

• Turf toe 

• Joint dislocations

• Sever’s disease

• Morton’s neuroma

Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the cause and severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a foot or ankle injury include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, a reduced range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight or walking on the affected foot or ankle. 

Diagnosis

Sports injuries are typically diagnosed after carefully examining the affected foot or ankle. This includes moving the injured area to test its range of motion. Medical history will need to be provided, as well as detailed information about how the injury occurred. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Just like symptoms, treatment will depend on the type of injury and its severity. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E is a helpful guide to implement for most acute injuries. This method involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot or ankle. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered and orthotic devices may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, surgery may be required. Lastly, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area.

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.

Cracked heels are a foot condition that can be common in the summer months. It can be unsightly and painful, and relief is often sought. Many people enjoy wearing flip-flops or backless shoes that can leave the skin on the heels exposed to the elements. Cracks that deepen in the skin are known as fissures, and if not treated promptly, may bleed and become infected. In addition to the above reasons why cracked heels can develop, there may also be medical reasons. These can include various forms of dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder. People who are overweight may be prone to incurring cracked heels, typically as a result of the added weight the feet must endure. Effective prevention methods can consist of washing and drying the feet thoroughly, followed by applying a good moisturizer. It is also beneficial to wear shoes that have a back, which can provide adequate protection for the heels. If you have cracked heels, it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist who can guide you toward the correct treatment options.

Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, can cause pain and discomfort. If your cracked heels are bothering you, 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. 

Dry, thickened skin around the rim of the heel is typically the first sign of cracked heels. While this condition is common and usually just a nuisance, some cases can be more severe. If left untreated and as more pressure is placed on the heel, the cracks become deeper and eventually walking and standing can be painful. These deep cracks or fissures can bleed and also become infected. Those with diabetes need to be especially careful as fissures could lead to diabetic foot ulcers. 

Causes

Cracked heels can be the result of several different factors, including: 

• Dry skin

• Taking long, hot showers or using harsh soaps

• Standing for long periods of time

• Walking barefoot

• Walking in shoes with an open back, such as sandals or flip flops

• Wearing shoes that do not fit properly

• Living in a cold or dry climate 

• Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis

Treatment

There are many at-home treatment remedies for cracked heels. Applying moisturizers to the heel can help hydrate the skin. Soaking your feet in warm water and exfoliating them with a loofah or pumice stone can help to buff away dead skin cells. If you are afflicted with cracked heels, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Prevention

You can prevent cracked heels by:

• Avoiding standing in one position for prolonged periods of time

• Wearing well-fitted shoes with a closed back

• Washing your feet with gentle soaps and lukewarm water

• Moisturizing the feet daily

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.

As convenient and cooling as flip flops are, they can also put the health of your feet in danger. Because flip flops provide little arch support and minimal protection, wearing them can increase the chances of a sprained ankle, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs. The thin soles on many pairs of flip flops also allow a greater likelihood of nails, glass, and other sharp objects poking through and into the foot. In some cases, a piece of the flip flop itself becomes embedded in the wound, and removing it may call for surgery. Because of their structure, flip flops necessarily result in the curling of the toes just to keep the shoes on. This may end up causing a permanent deformity of the toes, called a hammertoe. In this deformity, the middle joint of the toe sticks up. Then when regular shoes are worn, the hammertoe may begin to rub against the upper part of a shoe and cause pain. Because flip flops offer little to no arch support, the wearer steps flat, putting increased pressure on the ball of the foot. This can eventually cause inflammation and pain. If you have foot pain from regular or continued wearing of flip flops, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist who can determine the best course of treatment.  

Flip-flops, though they may seem harmless, are bad for your foot health. If you would like to learn more about the many problems that can be caused by frequent flip-flop wear, 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. 

Flip-flops are the quintessential summer shoe, seemingly perfect for the beach or pool. Unfortunately, these flimsy shoes are not a good choice when it comes to keeping your feet healthy. 

Frequently wearing flip-flops is associated with: 

• Hammertoes

• Bunions

• Plantar fasciitis

• Heel spurs 

• Cracked heels

• Plantar warts

• Athlete’s foot

• Foot pain

• Foot and ankle injuries

• Gait changes

• Leg, hip, and back pain

The best way to avoid these issues is to swap your flip-flops for more protective and supportive shoes. If you must wear flip-flops, wear them only for short periods of time. 

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 heel spur is a calcium deposit that comes from excessive strain, friction, or pressure on the heel bone and can cause bony growths to develop under the heel or the sole of the foot. There are several things that can lead to these types of spurs including exercising, wearing shoes that do not fit well or wearing high heels, having flat feet or high arches, being overweight, and having arthritis. Having plantar fasciitis or another foot condition can also create heel spurs. Some heel spurs cause pain while others do not. If one has a heel spur, reducing friction on the heel is the first thing to tend to. Other conservative methods to resolve pain from a heel spur, include wearing shoe inserts, stretching exercises, and cortisone injections. These non-surgical treatments will help in most cases. If you suffer from heel pain and suspect you have a heel spur, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for recommended treatment.

Heel spurs are bony outgrowths from calcium deposits. They occur at the back of the heel bone or underneath the heel bone and usually form in response to chronic irritation of the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia. They are often asymptomatic, but if you are suffering from heel 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. 

Symptoms of Heel Spurs

• Tenderness

• Heel pain

• Pain when walking

• No symptoms

Diagnosis

Since heel spurs are often asymptomatic, they are usually only diagnosed when they are found on the heels incidentally during an X-ray taken for another reason. Nevertheless, if you have heel pain, and particularly if you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, it may be worth it to see if you have heel spurs too. 

Treatment

Unless they are causing symptoms, heel spurs typically don’t require any treatment. When they are symptomatic, treatments are typically conservative. They may include resting and icing the affected foot, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear, especially while exercising. 

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.