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Gout is a painful form of arthritis that usually affects one joint at a time. In the feet, it most often develops at the base of the big toe. Gout occurs when the body has too much uric acid, a natural waste product. Sharp crystals can collect around a joint and trigger a flare. A flare can cause sudden pain, swelling, and redness, and the joint may feel hot and tender. Even light pressure from a sock or bed sheet can be difficult to tolerate.

Several factors can raise the risk of gout. Included are poor kidney function, excess body weight, and a family history of the disease. High blood pressure and diabetes are also linked to gout. Alcohol, sugary drinks, and foods that are high in purines can raise uric acid levels. Purines are natural substances that the body breaks down into uric acid. Red meat and shellfish contain high amounts. Without treatment, gout flares can become more frequent or last longer. Hard lumps called tophi can form near joints and result in joint damage.

A chiropodist can examine the affected foot and assess the location and severity of pain. Since an infection or another type of arthritis can resemble gout, an accurate diagnosis is important. The chiropodist can review the patient’s health history and order imaging or laboratory testing. Care includes reducing pressure on the joint, recommending roomy shoes, and providing padding or custom orthotics. A chiropodist can also monitor the skin and nails around the joint for problems. Foot assessments can help protect movement and joint health. If you have had one or more gout attacks, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist who can help you to manage this painful condition.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can affect anyone. 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 Is Gout?

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid crystallizes in a joint, often the joint of the big toe, it can bring about a gout attack. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of gout include: 

• Sudden and severe pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Joint stiffness
• Joint deformity

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will ask questions about your personal and family medical history, followed by an examination of the affected joint. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout. A sample of fluid taken from your joint can show whether it contains uric acid. 

Treatment

Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling, and inflammation. Patients with chronic gout can also use behavioral modifications such as diet, exercise, and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of gout attacks. Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid. If left untreated, this painful condition can leave your joint permanently damaged and swollen.  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

Plantar warts are rough skin growths that develop on the soles of the feet. They are caused by strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus enters through breaks in the skin and spreads through direct contact or shared surfaces. Warm, damp places like pools, showers, and changing rooms can increase exposure. A wart can appear anywhere on the sole, but the heel and ball of the foot are frequent sites because they bear weight.

A plantar wart can look grainy, firm, or fleshy. Small black dots can appear inside it because tiny blood vessels feed the growth. The wart can also interrupt the natural lines of the skin. Pressure can push it inward and create a layer of hard skin above it. Pain can occur when standing, when walking, or when the sides of the growth are squeezed. Several nearby warts can join in a cluster called a mosaic wart. Since corns and calluses can look similar, an accurate assessment is important.

A chiropodist can examine the area and confirm whether the growth is a plantar wart. The assessment considers its appearance, location, and response to gentle pressure. After diagnosis, the chiropodist can recommend an in-clinic treatment based on the wart and your health. Options include controlled freezing and professional chemical applications. The chiropodist can also reduce thick skin covering the wart, monitor healing, and adjust care at follow-up visits. Prompt treatment can ease pain and lower the chance of the virus spreading to nearby skin or other people. Keeping feet clean and dry also supports foot health. Wear sandals in shared wet areas, and avoid sharing shoes or socks. If you have symptoms of a plantar wart, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Plantar warts can be uncomfortable or even painful. If you’re suffering from warts on your feet, 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. 

What Does a Plantar Wart Look Like? 

Plantar warts are fleshy growths that generally have a rough, grainy texture. They may look and feel like a callus and are usually small and can grow individually or in clusters. Plantar warts may have small, black dots at their center that are actually tiny blood vessels. Warts interrupt the natural lines of your skin. 

Treatment Options

• Salicylic acid - A chemical solution applied directly to the wart
• Cryotherapy - Freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen
• Minor surgery - Removing the wart through excision
• Laser treatment - A concentrated beam of light is used to remove the wart
• Wearing comfortable shoes and socks to avoid irritating the wart
• Over-the-counter medications for pain relief
• Patches to keep pressure off the warts

Plantar warts can go away on their own, but this may take several months to years. If your plantar warts are bothering you, seeking medical treatment is suggested. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

Foot pain when walking can make completing daily activities difficult. Pain can develop in the heel, arch, or ball of the foot. Possible causes include plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and a heel spur. Other causes involve an irritated tendon, a compressed nerve, or changes in foot alignment. Symptoms include aching, burning, and stiffness. Swelling or numbness can also occur. A chiropodist can examine the foot, review how the patient walks, and locate areas of tenderness. The assessment can also identify changes in joint movement or foot structure. X-rays or other imaging tests can help confirm certain problems. Treatment options include custom orthotics, padding, or braces to improve support and reduce pressure. A chiropodist can also provide guidance on shoes that fit correctly and offer regular foot-care visits to monitor symptoms. If you have foot pain when walking, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, 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. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

• Plantar fasciitis
• Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
• Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Toe pain
• Ball of foot pain
• Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
• Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes. It grows in warm, damp places, including locker rooms, showers, and pool areas. Symptoms include intense itching, cracked skin, and peeling. Redness or scaling can also develop on the soles, while infections can spread to the toenails. A chiropodist can examine the feet and determine whether athlete’s foot or another skin problem is causing the symptoms. The examination can include taking a skin sample for study. After confirming the infection, the chiropodist can provide professional treatment and monitor how the skin responds. The chiropodist can also identify factors that encourage repeated infections, including sweaty feet, damp shoes, and shared floors. Patients with diabetes should seek care because foot infections can become more serious. If you have symptoms of an athlete's foot infection, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. To learn more about preventing and treating this condition, 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 Is Athlete’s Foot? 

Athlete’s foot refers to an infection of the skin on the feet that is caused by a fungus. This fungus is contagious and thrives in warm and moist environments. It is often spread in common areas such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers. It can also spread when sharing personal items, like shoes or towels, with an infected person. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of athlete’s foot may include: 

• Itching, stinging, or burning of the skin on the feet
• Cracking or peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet
• Scaly, red rash on the foot
• Blisters
• Foul odor

Treatment

Treatment for athlete’s foot typically involves using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications on the feet. When over-the-counter options are ineffective, you may need to take prescription oral medications or topical antifungal drugs, or a combination of both. 

Prevention

Preventing athlete’s foot places an emphasis on good foot hygiene practices. 

You can prevent athlete’s foot by:

• Washing and drying your feet thoroughly every day
• Wearing shoes when walking in public areas
• Not sharing personal items, like shoes or socks, with others
• Wearing shoes and socks made out of breathable materials

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON .