Bunions

 What is bunions?  

A bunion (also referred to as Hallux Abducto Valgus) is bony deformity of the big toe. It is often described as bump on the side of the big toe where the big toe leans towards the second toe rather than pointing straight ahead. Bunions are progressive disorders.
What causes bunions? 

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure  of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain  foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. As well as tight-pointing shoes.
What are the signs and symptoms?

• Pain or soreness
• Inflammation and redness
• A burning sensation
• Possible numbness

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates  the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the  toe.  

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and  cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a  foul odor. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or  warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an  infection.

What causes Ingrown toe nails? 

• Heredity
• Trauma
• Improper trimming
• tight/narrow shoes
• Nail conditions

 What is Heel pain/Plantar Fasciitis?

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that  is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel  pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture,  tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or, rarely, a cyst.

Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have  heel pain properly diagnosed. Our foot specialist is able to  distinguish between all the possibilities and determine the underlying  source of your heel pain.

 What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar  fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the  fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel  pain. 

What causes heel pain?
The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure  of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches,  either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, are more prone to  developing plantar fasciitis. 

What is a Plantar Wart?

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  typically they appear on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar  warts most commonly occur in children, adolescents, and the elderly.

 What  causes warts?
Plantar warts are caused by direct contact with the human papilloma  virus (HPV). This is the same virus that causes warts on other areas of  the body. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose a plantar wart, our foot specialist will examine the  patient’s foot and look for signs and symptoms of a wart.

What is Callus/Corns?

 A callus is a thickened area of skin on the foot  caused by pressure and repeated rubbing, such as from a shoe or sock.  The rubbing causes the skin to produce a layer of protective skin (a  callus). Calluses vary in size, and can become painful. 

A "corn" is a small circular thickened lesion in  the skin of the foot. It usually forms due to repeated pressure on the  skin, such as the rubbing of a shoe. The name "corn" comes from its  resemblance to a kernel of corn. A corn is different from a callus in  that it has a central core of hard material. People with foot deformities, such as hammertoes, often suffer  from corns because the tops of the bent toes rub against the tops of  shoes.

There are a number of treatment options for corns.   It is  important to avoid trying to remove a corn at home or using medicated  corn pads, as serious infection may occur.

 What is Fungal toe nail?          

A fungus is an organism that lives in warm moist areas. Fungus of the toenails is a common  problem that can affect people of all ages, although it most commonly  affects individuals who are

older. 

Toenail fungus often begins as an infection in the skin called  tinea pedis (also known as athlete’s foot). The fungus often starts  under the nail fold at the end of the nail. Over time it grows  underneath the nail and causes changes to its appearance, such as a  yellow or brownish discoloration. It can also cause thickening and  deformity of the toenail. 

Many people have difficulty with their toenails and need  assistance in caring for them. our specialist can diagnose the  cause of toenail problems and recommend treatments.