Other Common Foot Problems

In addition to the more common foot problems described elsewhere on the site, our doctors at Advanced Foot & Ankle Surgery routinely provide a comprehensive range of treatments and services. Although this is not an exhaustive list, some of the more common of these are:

Ingrown Toenails
Pediatric Foot Care
High Arch Feet/Cavus Foot
Athlete’s Foot
Tailor’s Bunion
Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis)
Ganglion Cyst
Avascular Necrosis
Pediatric Foot Care
Callus
Swelling
Corns
Heel fissures
Metatarsalgia
Foot Odor
Gout
Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot and ankle
Clubfoot
Jones Fracture

Ingrown Toenails

Pediatric Foot Care

Start your infant off on the right foot with periodic inspection. Foot deformities that weren’t present at birth can result from a variety of factors, including tight covers or shoes that restrict foot growth and development. It is important that shoes be flexible and fitted properly.

As children age, pay attention to their walking patterns. Foot pain or swelling could be a sign of a serious condition and should be checked by a foot doctor. Good health is all-encompassing for infants and children. Take those few extra steps yourself to keep them healthy, from head to toe.

High Arch Feet/Cavus Foot

Cavus foot is a condition in which the foot has a very hight arch. Because of this high arch, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as pain and instability. It can develop at any age and occur in one or both feet.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete foot (tinea pedis) is a skin disease usually starting between the toes or on the bottom of the feet, which can spread to other parts of the body. It is caused by fungus that commonly attacks the feet because the wearing of shoes and hosiery fosters fungus growth. The signs of athlete foot are dry, scaly skin, itching, inflammation and blisters.

Tailor’s Bunion

Tailor’s bunion is a prominent, boney bump at the outside of the foot near the base of the fifth toe. It is similar in presentation and treatment to that of a bunion. This condition also becomes painful, due to irritation in shoes and is usally made worse by shoes that have a narrow toe box. Tailor’s bunions are generally a product of genetics, though they can be made worse by wearing tight or narrow shoes.

Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis)

Toenail fungus affects about a half of Americans by the age of 70. It is relatively rare in children but the incidence increases with age. Fungus infections occur with microscopic fungi gaining entry through a small trauma in the nail that grows and spread in the warm, moist environment inside the patient’s socks and shoes. Symptoms of toenail fungus which can be caused by several types of fungi include swelling, yellowing, thickening or crumbling of the nail. Streaks or spots down the side of the nail and even complete loss of the nail. Toenail color can vary from brown or yellow to white with this condition. Toenail fungus can be picked up up in a damp area.

Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a mass of tissue that is filled with a jelly-like fluid. The word “ganglion” means “knot” and is used to describe a knot-like mass or lump of cells that form below the surface of the skin. These cysts vary in size.

Avascular Necrosis

Also known as “Freiberg’s infraction,” Avascular necrosis is due to chronic micro-trauma and overload of the metatarsal head leading to fracture and collapse of the metatarsal head and decreased or lost circulation to the collapsed area. Over time, arthritis and pain can develop.

Callus

A callus is an area of hard, thickened skin that can occur across the ball of the foot on the base or on the outer side of the big toe. While many consider them a skin problem, they actually are a systemic problem with the bone. Calluses form from repeated friction and pressure as the shoe or ground rubs against the bony prominence of the toe or foot. The skin thickens and responds to this pressure.

Swelling

Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs (also called “edema”) is often caused by an abnormal build-up of fluids in the ankle and leg tissues. Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially in older people. Because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in the lower legs.

Corns

Corns develop from an accumulation of dead skin cells on the foot, forming thick, hardened areas.

Heel fissures

Heel fissures (also known as cracked heels) can be a simple cosmetic problem and nuisance but can also lead to a series of medical problems. Heel fissures occur when the skin on the bottom outer edge of the heel becomes hard, dry and flaky, sometimes causing deep cracks that can be painful or bleed. Like many foot conditions, heel fissures can become more dangerous if they go untreated or become deep or infected.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a general term used to describe a painful foot condition in the metatarsal region, the area just before the toes, more commonly referred to as the ball of the foot. This is a common foot disorder that can affect the bone and joints at the ball of the foot. Metatarsalgia is often located under the second, third and fourth metatarsal heads or more isolated at the first metatarsal head near the big toe.

Foot Odor

Foot odor results from excessive perspiration from more than 250,000 sweat glands in the foot. Daily hygiene is essential. Change your shoes daily to let each pair air out and change your socks perhaps even more frequently than once a day. Foot powders and anti-perspirants and soaking your feet in vinegar and water can help lessens odor.

Gout

Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot and ankle

Clubfoot

Jones fracture

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