Foot & Ankle Specialty Blog

From broken nails and blisters to hammer toes and fractures, foot problems are very common among dancers. Over time, years of dancing jazz, tap, ballet and en pointe can result in more serious, permanent damage to the feet. Completing jumps, plies and pointes requires healthy, mobile, flexible feet, so even though many dancers simply dance their way through the pain, taking preventive measures and getting proper treatment for foot injuries is important.  

Morton's Neuroma refers to a painful condition that involves the ball of the foot, which is located near the third and fourth toes. Many patients who suffer from this condition claim that it feels as if they're standing on a fold in their sock or on a pebble in their shoe.

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects a single joint. The big toe is a common target for gout. When a person's kidneys are unable to filter uric acid crystals out of the bloodstream, the crystals can build up in soft tissue, leading to gout flareups. If you are experiencing frequent joint pain, you should see a foot specialist for a diagnosis. While gout can affect a knee, elbow or wrist, about half of all cases are in one of the big toes. Here is a closer look at the symptoms of gout.

Summer is on its way, and you’re certainly going to want to slip on some comfy beach sandals and set your feet free. If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably had them buried in winter boots for a while now, so they might not look their best. Not to worry. There’s plenty of time to get your feet into better shape and ready to come out when things warm up. Here are a few foot-friendly tips to help you get your feet sandal-ready by summer.

Diabetes can negatively affect your physical health in numerous ways. For instance, those with diabetes experience a higher risk of developing various foot ailments.

As a responsible parent, you should add pediatric foot problems to the long list of things to keep an eye on.

If you log more than 30 miles per week of running, you’re probably familiar with that unsightly foot condition known as “runner’s toe.” The medical name for this repetitive traumatic injury is subungual hematoma, and it also plagues skiers, tennis players, dancers and fast walkers.

Every foot consists of three arches: two that run longitudinally from front to back on each side of the foot, and a third that runs transversely across the middle from inside to outside. Arches are made up of tendons, ligaments and bones, and are one of the most structurally significant parts of the foot. Consider this when it comes to the importance of arches: It's estimated that our feet absorb up to 300,000 pounds of pressure for every mile that is walked. Aside from absorbing stress and pressure, arches also play a significant role in helping people adapt to uneven surfaces and assist in stabilizing the body. Bad arches aren't just going to result in pain and discomfort while walking and running, but they may also lead to more serious conditions.

People who spend a lot of time on their feet, as well as certain athletes, are at risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Genetics play a role as well, because those with high arches or flat feet are more at risk. Also, women are twice as likely to develop it than men. Fortunately, treatment is available.

For more information on Plantar Fasciitis check out our Plantar Fasciitis - Symptoms and Risk Factors blog. 

An ankle sprain is a common injury that can affect patients of any age. Below is some basic information about ankle sprains and how they can affect you.