Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory heel condition affecting the large ligament-type structure in the base of the foot that can cause arch pain and heel pain.

A fall risk assessment is to determine the risk of falls based on different variables. The initial screening will include asking if the patient has a history of falls, difficulty walking, and or concerns about falling.

Nearly one-fourth of all of the bones in your body are in your feet. As your feet provide you with both support and the ability to walk, they are also subjected to a lot of trauma that can cause injuries. There are many different types of fractures that can occur in the feet. A fracture is a break in the bone. The words fracture and break are used synonymously.

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop to protect that area from irritation. They occur when something rubs against the foot repeatedly or causes excess pressure against part of the foot.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that is a result of the breakdown of the smooth gliding surfaces of the joints (known as cartilage). Cartilage is found at the ends of the bones and is present in most of the joints in the human body.

Gout is a condition that results from increased production of or decreased excretion of uric acid crystals in the body. This condition is more common in men than in women and can occur at any age but is most common in the 40 – 60-year-old age range.

A wart is a small growth on the skin that develops when the skin is infected by a virus. Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but they typically appear on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar warts most commonly occur in children, adolescents, and the elderly.

Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. When the tiny organisms take hold, the nail often becomes darker in color and smells foul. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.

Bunion deformities are certainly very common in some family groups, and therefore there is a significant hereditary factor involved in the development of this deformity. Abnormal mechanical function of the foot is also a major cause of the development of bunion deformities.

A sprained or ‘rolled’ ankle is a very common injury, with approximately 26,000 people experiencing this each day. As such, this is one of the most common injuries seen in the foot and ankle. A sprained ankle can happen to adults, children, athletes, and non-athletes. An ankle sprain can occur during sporting activities when walking on uneven surfaces or walking down the stairs.

Adult-acquired flatfoot is often a complex disorder with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common-partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch.

Foot and ankle surgeons are podiatric physicians who specialize in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of a variety of conditions that affect people of every age.

It is easy to prevent athlete’s foot where bare feet encounter fungus by practicing good foot hygiene. You can prevent fungal infection by practicing the following:

Sports injuries involving the foot and ankle may occur for specific reasons that involve muscle-tendon imbalance, improper pre-activity stretching, uneven muscle strength, or simply improper footwear or support needed for your particular sport.

As a diabetic, you can have a loss of sensation (neuropathy) and/or poor circulation. Some patients are not even aware of these issues. Chronic nerve damage (neuropathy) can cause dry and cracked skin, which provides an opportunity for bacteria to enter and cause infection.