Podiatrist, Author at Foot And Ankle

Bunion Surgery and What You Need to Know

By Podiatrist - Bunions

If you have a bunion, you need to see a podiatrist for orthotics and wear wider shoes. If it continues to cause discomfort, your podiatrist will probably recommend surgery. Below you will find the most important information about bunion surgery.

What Is a Bunion?

A bony lump located at the side and base of the big toe is called a bunion. The most common causes of bunions are wearing a tight-fitting shoe always, flat feet, a foot injury, arthritis, neuromuscular conditions, or genetic disorders.

Who Needs Bunion Surgery?

A bunion deformity may start small and not be painful, which may not require surgery. Your podiatrist will probably recommend treatment for pain relief. This includes wearing orthotics and wider shoes, taking anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, ice packs and massage.

Once it gets bigger over time, the bunion becomes painful, and causes discomfort when walking; that’s the time bunion surgery is the best option. Who would want to walk around with an aching big toe? In summary, here are the candidates for bunion surgery:

Foot pain: When you experience foot pain affecting everyday activities. There is foot pain while walking in short distances, or pain even while wearing athletic and comfortable shoes.
Toe Deformity: When the big toe’s joint drifts too much towards the smaller toes that it might end up with toes crossing over.
Chronic Inflammation of Big Toes: The swelling of the big toes that does not relieve with rest or anti-inflammatory medications.
Stiff Toes: When the big toes are unable to bend and straighten.
Chronic pain: There is persistent foot pain that doesn’t go away for weeks even with medication or pain relief interventions.

Bunion surgery

What Are the Benefits of Bunion Surgery?

The primary goal of bunion surgery is pain relief, allow the patient to wear shoes with comfort, stop the inflammation and correct toe deformity. It is not a cosmetic surgery for aesthetic purposes.

The successful outcome of this procedure are a straighter big toe, pain relief, comfort when walking with shoes. Once you undergo and heal from bunion surgery, you can enjoy standing, walking and running activities without pain. This is a corrective procedure that will help you in keeping active.

The corrective procedure also makes you confident in wearing open shoes because of the improvement in the appears of your big toe. If you had your bunion corrected by an experienced podiatric surgeon, bunion recurrence is unlikely to happen.

What Happens During the Surgery?

The bunion surgery takes about 30-60 minutes, and you will undergo intravenous sedation or “twilight” anaesthesia. There will be a numbing of the big toe with long-acting local anaesthesia that usually lasts for 24 hours after surgery.

What happens during bunion surgery is bunion removal, realigning bones of the big toe, correcting soft tissues around the big toe by tightening of stretched tissues, releasing tight tissues. Not all bunions are alike, and the podiatric surgeon will assess what type of bunion surgery is best for you.

What Happens After the Procedure?

You must follow the directions of the podiatric surgeon in regards to taking medication, rest, elevation, and reduced amounts of weight-bearing activities.

Recovery Period

Bunion surgery is done as an outpatient procedure so you can go home the same day of the operation. I

Here are some key points to remember after the procedure:

During the first week, elevate your foot as much as possible to reduce swelling.
During the first 4 weeks after your operation, you need to wear a postoperative shoe provided for you.
Initial recovery from bunion surgery takes 4-6 weeks after which you will wear a running shoe for another 4 to 6 weeks.
Full recovery takes 6-12 months, depending on the type of surgery required to correct your bunion.

Possible Postoperative Complications

Bunion surgery is very successful and 95% of patients have no complications. Of the very small number of patients who develop complications almost all are managed in the office.

Immediately after your surgery, watch out for these signs and symptoms and immediately report them to your podiatric surgeon.

Pain at the surgery site that is not relieved by medication prescribed for you.
Bleeding through the dressing greater than a 2 cm in size.
Pain in either lower leg, chest or shortness of breath.

Your podiatric surgeon will closely monitor your progress for 12 months after surgery and discuss the need to manage any complications in the unlikely chance that they occur.

Do You Need Bunion Surgery?

When you’re experiencing big toe or foot pain while walking and wearing shoes due to the protruding bone, you may be a candidate for bunion surgery. The surgery is also recommended once the big toe becomes inflamed and the swelling is not relieved by any medication.

If you think you are a candidate for this procedure, call us or book an appointment with Adelaide Foot and Ankle today.

Warts on Your Foot? Here are 4 Plantar Wart Home Remedies You Can Try

By Podiatrist - Warts

Plantar wart is a common medical condition of the foot. It is the result of a viral infection caused by the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV). The HPV virus is highly contagious. You can easily get an infection just by walking barefoot in public such as gyms, pools, and locker rooms. If you have the infection, your first option is to try a few plantar wart home remedies with household items such as:

apple cider vinegar
duct tape
tea tree oil and
salicylic acid

While most people have found these home remedies excellent for plantar wart removal, most doctors don’t recommend them. Here’s why.

Information About 4 Plantar Wart Home Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar is known as a household disinfectant as well as a method to preserve food. It also one of the oldest known home remedies for various skin disorders. And for this reason, people began using apple cider vinegar to treat warts.

How to use apple cider vinegar for plantar wart removal

There are a couple of methods to treat plantar warts with apple cider vinegar. The first method involves using:

apple cider vinegar
water
a cotton ball and
a bandage or duct tape

Mix one-part water with two parts of apple cider vinegar.
Soak the cotton ball on the mixture and apply directly to the affected part of your foot.
Cover the cotton ball with a bandage or tape. On the next day, remove the cotton ball and toss it away.
Repeat this procedure every night until your plantar wart falls off.

apple cider vinegar for plantar warts

The second method involves soaking your affected foot in a mixture of water and vinegar.

Mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar in a large container or bucket.
Submerge your affected foot for about 15 minutes every day.
Repeat this procedure every day until the wart peels off.

Note that vinegar contains between 4% to 8% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar is a weak acid that can kill some types of viruses and bacteria.

Still, vinegar and other weak acids can cause chemical burns on your skin. And so, it is necessary to dilute the vinegar in water. Always apply the mixture of water and vinegar on your skin to avoid pain or burning sensation.

What do studies say about apple cider vinegar?

Do not ingest or apply apple cider vinegar on the skin to combat viral infections. Scientific studies show no evidence of using vinegar as an anti-infective agent against viral infections.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is the main ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) skin treatment products. The salicylic acid found in ointments and creams is usually in higher concentrations.

Salicylic acid for plantar wart treatment comes in pad format, liquid, patch, and gel. These products aid in the shedding of the skin around the wart.

How to use Salicylic acid for plantar wart removal

Here’s the usual procedure of using salicylic acid for treating warts:

Wash the affected area.
Soak the area in warm water.
Using a pumice stone or emery board, gently remove the top layer of the softened skin.
Wait for the skin to dry before applying your salicylic acid solution.

Patches

If you’re using the patches, don’t forget to change them every 24 to 48 hours. Be careful when using the patches. They have higher salicylic acid concentrations than liquids. Aggressive treatment of warts may cause infection to the affected area.

Liquids

Apply liquid salicylic acid every day. You need to repeat the application for several weeks. In some cases, it may take several months to see the results.

There are times you may feel soreness or pain on the skin around the wart. Pause the treatment and then start again a few days later.

What do studies say about Salicylic acid?

Non-prescription salicylic products may help to dry out your plantar wart. And, may eventually lead to wart removal.

The American Academy of Dermatology or AAD recommends changing the tape every 48 hours to speed up the healing process. The wart may completely disappear after repeated application.

Many people have successfully removed their warts using salicylic acid. Yet, there is not enough scientific studies confirming its effectiveness.

Duct Tape

Using duct tape is one of the most well-known plantar wart home remedies. The idea behind it is that duct tape can help “peel away” wart layers until the HPV virus infection disappears.

How to use duct tape for plantar wart removal

Here are a few steps of using duct tapes to remove plantar warts:

Cut a small piece of duct tape slightly larger than the size of your wart so you can grip to rip it off later.
Stick the tape into the affected area covering the wart.
Leave the tape on the for a couple of days and then take it off.
Soak the affected area in warm water. And then, gently remove the dead layers of tissue using an emery board or pumice stone. Allow the affected area to dry before sticking the tape.
Repeat the process until the wart layers come off.

What do studies say about duct tape?

Duct tapes have many uses for crafting and also as a tool with endless uses around the house. But many people have been using them as a topical treatment for warts as well.

Although a harmless practice, there are no scientific studies that prove using duct tape is effective at getting rid of warts.

Tea tree oil

tea tree oil for plantar warts Tea tree oil is one of the oldest home remedies people use to treat skin problems such as acne, wounds, and fungal infections. Since tea tree oil is known for its many healing properties, it may also work for all types of warts.

How to use tea tree oil for plantar wart removal

To try this remedy:

Dilute tea tree oil in water.
Soak a q-tip into the diluted tea tree oil solution.
Apply a small amount of the solution into the wart. Do this treatment twice a day.
Repeat the procedure every day until the wart disappears.

Keep in mind that tea tree oil is available in a variety of strengths. And so, you must dilute the tea tree oil in water before applying it directly on your skin. You can also mix it with carrier oils such as olive or almond oil.

What do studies say about tea tree oil?

There is one successful case of using tea tree oil for wart treatment. In a study published in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, the affected finger of a child was healed using tea tree oil.

According to the study, the oil was applied to the lesions once a day. The report further stated that warts all disappeared after 12 days of treatment.

Still, it is uncertain whether tea tree oil is effective for plantar wart removal. There are not enough studies to prove its effectiveness to fight all types of warts.

The Bottom Line

Most plantar warts are not harmful and slowly come off without treatment according to the American Academy of Dermatology. But, it may take up to 2 years before warts disappear. The reason you need to treat the lesions with home remedies is to speed up the healing process. The more serious concern here is that it is highly contagious and can spread quickly.

There is no known cure for plantar warts. It is your immune system that resolves the wart, not the home remedies.

Warts don’t go away easily since thick layers of your skin protect the virus. The HPV virus goes undetected by your immune system for several months.

Hence, doctors attack warts with irritants to get your immune system’s attention. Once alerted, your immune system combats the HPV virus and eventually clearing the wart from your affected foot.

There are several ways doctors treat plantar warts in their office. One effective treatment is through cryotherapy. This treatment involves freezing the affected skin using liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -196°C.

The Takeaway on Plantar Wart Home Remedies

If plantar wart home remedies did not work after several months of treatment, you need to see your doctor. He or she may refer you to a specialist in disorders of the feet (podiatrist) or the skin (dermatologist).

Adelaide Foot and Ankle podiatrists and staff have 45 years of combined experience in treating foot problems and overall foot care. Contact us now for an appointment.

9 Ingrown Toenail Remedies You Can Do at Home

By Podiatrist - Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails that are not showing signs of infection can be treated at home. There are ingrown toenail remedies for mild cases that only need simple treatment.

Health care professionals do not recommend treating an infected ingrown toenail. Never attempt to lift your ingrown toenail with cotton or dental floss. This could only introduce bacteria into the affected area.

ingrown toenail remedies

You should see your foot and ankle doctor (podiatrist) if:

home remedies do not work for you
you have poor circulation (poor blood flow) or
you have diabetes

Ingrown toenail treatment for serious cases done by a foot and ankle podiatric surgeon include:

lifting the nail
partially removing the nail and
removing the nail and tissue

Safe and Effective Ingrown Toenail Home Remedies

1. Warm, Soapy Water Soak

warm soak as ingrown toenail remedy

Soaking your affected foot in warm, soapy water may help ease pain and reduce swelling. You should do this 3 times daily for up to 20 minutes. Adding a small amount of liquid Castile soap may bring extra relief.

Be sure to dry your foot rigorously after soaking.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

Apple cider vinegar is considered a folk remedy for a majority of ailments these days. And this includes ingrown nails. Apple cider vinegar is known to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain-relieving properties.

However, scientific evidence for apple cider vinegar as a remedy to common ailments is limited at best.

You can try to treat an ingrown nail by soaking your affected foot in a bucket or basin of warm water mixed with a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. Do this for up to 20 minutes daily.

Remember to always dry your foot thoroughly once you are done with the soaking.

3. Epsom Salt Soak

Epsom salts contain high amounts of magnesium which is known to fight inflammation according to a study. Such a soak provides relief from the swelling and pain of your affected foot.

In a wide bucket or basin, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per quart of warm water. Soak your foot and gently massage the affected skin area downward. Do this 2 to 3 times every day for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide Soak

Hydrogen peroxide is another great option to treat ingrown toenails at home. It is a natural disinfectant, which is the reason why it is commonly used to clean wounds.

Soak your infected foot in a bucket of water and hydrogen peroxide solution for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times daily. Make sure to add at least 3% of hydrogen peroxide for every half cup of warm water.

5. Wearing Comfortable Footwear

comfortable wear as remedy for ingrown toenail

Overcrowding your toes by wearing ill-fitting shoes is one of the leading causes of ingrown toenails. You can prevent an ingrown from developing in your big toe by wearing comfortable shoes.

Be sure to pick better-fitting shoes that have enough space for your toes. Comfortable footwear should allow you to wiggle your toes.

During the healing process, wear sandals instead of shoes to prevent pressure on your inflamed toenails.

6. Using Toe Protectors

You should consider wearing toe protectors if your day-to-day activities require you to wear shoes all the time.

Toe protectors provide a soft, protective barrier between your toes and your shoes. They are usually stretch-to-fit caps made from elastic materials.

7. Taking Oral Antibiotics

Doctors do not usually prescribe oral antibiotics for mild cases of ingrown toenails. There has been no proof that oral antibiotics can improve the condition.

Still, you may need oral antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system. Also, if your ingrown nail shows signs of infection such as:

foul odour
presence of pus
throbbing pain
increased redness
increased swelling
warmth in and around the affected toe

Common antibiotics used to treat an ingrown toenail are:

Amoxicillin
Flucloxacillin
Cephalexin
Erythromycin

8. Taking OTC Pain Relievers

To counter pain caused by an ingrown nail, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. One example is Panadol, which is paracetamol. Be sure to take only the recommended daily amount of 3,000 milligrams to avoid side effects.

Nurofen is ibuprofen and is a better solution if there is pain and swelling. Common side effects of ibuprofen include:

diarrhoea
upset stomach and
abdominal pain

Voltaren is diclofenac and it can also help ease the pain in your toes. Both of these drugs are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and all of them can cause stomach and bowel upset.

9. Applying Antibiotic Ointments

topical antibiotic

Applying an antibiotic ointment or cream is one of those ingrown toenail remedies that help reduce the risk of infection. It can also promote healing of your infected toe. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and bandage your toe after applying the ointment.

Antibiotic ointments you can use to treat ingrown toenails include:

Bactroban
Tricin

Visit Your Foot and Ankle Doctor If Ingrown Nail Home Remedies Do Not Work

Do not ignore an ingrown nail if it is already showing signs of infection. Not taking immediate action could lead to serious complications.

Take action NOW! Contact Adelaide Foot and Ankle for an appointment.

Joint Pains? It Could be Tendonitis

By Podiatrist - Tendonitis

Are you experiencing pain in your elbow, shoulder, knee, or foot? Does it intensify when you do your usual day-to-day activities? You might be suffering from tendonitis. But before we dive into this condition, let us first understand what tendons are.

What are Tendons?

tendonitis Tendons are fibrous, connective tissues that bind a muscle to a body part. It can be to another muscle, a bone, or structures such as the eyeball. When the muscle exerts effort, the tendon contracts and pulls at the body part attached to its other end. This creates body movement.

Tendons can be as huge as the rope-like cords between your heel bone and calf muscle. Or, they can be as tiny as the muscle found in your inner ear. No matter the size, they are tough and dense, yet flexible.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis, or tendinitis, is when the tendon suffers from irritation, inflammation, or tears. This causes pain and swelling, which limit movements in the affected area. Anyone can have this condition, but older people are more susceptible to it.

Types of Tendonitis

Tendonitis can occur anywhere in the body. However, it occurs more commonly in the base of the thumb, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and heels.

In this article, we will mention the three most common types, with special focus on Achilles tendonitis.

Golfer’s Elbow

Medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, affects tendons connected to the bone inside your elbow. It is more commonly known as golfer’s elbow, it is also brought about by other activities such as weight training, climbing, and throwing anything then become possible.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendonitis targets tendons in the shoulder. This is mainly due to the overuse of the shoulders from repetitive overhead movements. Hence, people of any age can suffer from it, causing pain on the upper arm and shoulder.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is the irritation and inflammation of the tendon at the back of your lower leg. This tendon, also called the Achilles tendon, is the largest in the body. Connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone, it is responsible for movements such as walking or running, jumping, and climbing stairs.

There are two types of Achilles Tendonitis: Noninsertional and Insertional.

Noninsertional Achilles Tendinitis

Noninsertional Achilles tendinitis affects the side of the tendon that connects to the calf muscle. The tendon’s middle fibres degenerate. As a result, these fibres develop micro-tears and become swollen and thick.

This condition is more common among young and active people.

Insertional Achilles Tendinitis

Insertional Achilles tendinitis affects the side of the tendon that connects or “inserts” to the heel bone. It then causes bone spur to develop around the affected area. This leads to irritation and damages the tendon further.

It is more common among older people who have become less active in their late years, like former long-distance runners.

Symptoms and Treatment

Aside from pain, common symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include the calcifying or hardening of the tendon, swelling (which worsens with activity), and bone spur. If you feel any of these, it is best to stay away from activities that put pressure on the lower legs.

The type and length of treatment depend on the severity of the condition. But in any case, nonsurgical treatment is first used on the patient. This includes applying ice packs, stretching, and strengthening the affected area through certain exercises. This generally goes the same for the other types of tendonitis.

If the patient does not respond to the treatment within six months, then surgical treatment becomes necessary.

Achilles Tendonitis? Contact Adelaide Foot and Ankle

If you think you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, contact us today for an appointment to better assess your condition.

Keeping You Active Podcast

By Podiatrist - Videos

The quality of your life can be significantly improved by ensuring that you make time every day to keep active. Often you will meet people who can and do keep active and enjoy their life more because of their attention to this important aspect of living. Each week the Keeping You Active

Orthotic Shoes vs Custom Orthotics: Which One is Right for You?

By Podiatrist - Orthotics

A lot of foot and knee problems can bring severe pain and discomfort, making this very debilitating and disabling. Footwear manufacturers have thus come up with orthotic shoes, but can these off-the-shelf products be enough? How do they compare with custom orthotics?

Let us look at the pros and cons of both.

Orthotic Shoes

custom orthotics Orthotic shoes or inserts are easily available in pharmacies, groceries and sports shops. They are often very cheap and available in different sizes and with options for men and women.

So with different sizes options available, not to mention the lower cost, is it still worth seeing a podiatrist for custom orthotics?

The problem with off-the-shelf orthotics is that they are available just according to shoe size. This assumes that people all have the same type of foot problem.

Thus the design of these readily available orthotic shoes and inserts are as a general solution for different foot conditions. This is most unlikely to provide the specific corrections that a patient needs.

Even if some generic orthotic shoes can be trimmed and modified somehow, these modifications cannot really be specific enough for one’s particular foot condition.

It helps to understand that there are different problems to address. Some examples include preventing, accommodating, correcting foot deformities, aligning and supporting the ankle or foot, or improving their overall function.

For example, when a patient needs correction of biomechanical imbalances, they may need specific additional support for the inside or outside arch of the foot, which orthotic shoes will be unlikely to provide.

A US-based, board-certified foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Richard Hayes, concurs and warns that these generic orthotic shoes or inserts bought over the counter may actually do more harm than good.

Wearing an over-the-counter type of insert may worsen the foot condition. Why so? Because it also addresses a condition unrelated to the original problem. This can cause a change in the mechanics of a patient’s gait, thus worsening the foot problem.

Custom Orthotics

custom orthotic shoes With custom orthotics, the podiatrist creates a 3-D image of the patient’s foot to produce an orthotic engineered for an accurate, personalised fit.

More importantly, it addresses the specific problems causing the knee, ankle or foot problem, whether it be prevention, accommodating foot deformities, alignment, or improving overall function and foot health.

Because it is custom-made, understandably, it is not as readily available as generic orthotic inserts.

It is worthy to point out that because the orthotic is made with the consultation of a health professional, the patient achieves the best possible results.

It may cost more, but the custom orthotics will address the root of the foot problem. This is very important because our feet carry all of our body’s weight and it is estimated that we take 10,000 steps a day.

Get the Benefits of Custom Orthotics

When you are faced with some foot and knee problems, it is best to consult a podiatrist. Trying to solve the issue with over-the-counter orthotics may not solve your specific foot condition, if not worsen it. Contact us today.

Foot and Knee Problems? It Might be Custom Orthotics that You Need

By Podiatrist - Foot and ankle pain and instability,Orthotics

Custom orthotics are shoe inserts specially designed for people experiencing severe foot problems. Their unique design is based on the result of the assessment of the patient’s gait, anatomy, and the type of pain being experienced.

Custom foot orthotics work by correcting the abnormal movement and position of foot and ankle joints. Furthermore, they help prevent foot problems from affecting the rest of the person’s body.

Most people with foot and ankle problems will benefit from custom orthotics.

So, what type of orthotics will work best for you?

And…

How do you know if you need custom orthotics?

custom orthotics

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Custom orthotics are effective for people suffering from the common health conditions such as:

People with diabetes often experience a loss of feeling in their feet due to poor circulation.
Arthritis can cause severe deformities in the foot and usually affects the joints.
Metatarsalgia is a painful foot ailment that affects our foot’s bones, joints and ball.
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation that affects the sole. Many people who have this foot problem experience pain first thing in the morning.
Achilles tendinitis
Shin splints
Bunions and
Knee pain

The 3 Types of Orthotics

According to the Harvard Medical School website, there are currently 3 types of foot orthotics and they are the:

Shop front-generated
Over the counter (OTC) or Off-the-shelf and
Professional custom orthotics

Shop front-generated orthotics

These orthotic devices are ready to wear shoe inserts recommended to you based on a non-health practitioner’s recommendation.

Over the counter (OTC) orthotics

Also known as off-the-shelf shoe inserts, these are widely available and ready to wear orthotics recommended to you based on the size of your foot.

Take note that both Shop-front generated and OTC orthotics might need replacement more often as the materials used are prone to wear and tear. Also, because they are not custom made or prescribed by a podiatrist who has diagnosed a condition they cannot work as well as custom or prescription orthotics.

Professional custom orthotics

Acquiring a professional custom orthotic involves an appointment with a podiatrist or podiatric surgeon. who will perform a thorough assessment of your medical history.

Moreover, the assessment includes checking your activity levels, the location frequency and type of pain you may have and then a comprehensive examination of your foot and leg movement and function standing and walking.

After the diagnosis, the podiatrist will prescribe an orthotic specifically for you and your foot problem. Your prescription will involve selecting the correction of a number of different parts of the foot.

The most accurate way to record the exact shape, size and alignment of your foot is by using a laser scanner.

The 2 types of Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom orthotics are primarily the Functional and the Accommodative type.

Functional Orthotics correct the loading patterns of your foot and thus improve efficiency, help reduce pain and also reduce the risk of reinjury.

For heel pain, an orthotic can be designed to regulate the load on the plantar fascia.
For arthritis, an orthotic can be designed to minimise pressure within the joints.

Accommodative Orthotics prevent any form of pressure from causing bruises on the skin’s surface. This is quite helpful for diabetic patients.

Which type of orthotic is right for you?

Over the counter and kiosk orthotics

OTC shoe inserts and Shop-front orthotics can work well for people who:

are of average height, weight, foot type
suffer from general problems such as heel pain

Custom foot orthotics

People with specific needs or suffering from critical conditions such as diabetes and severe flat feet will need custom orthotics and since they will be under the care of podiatrists.

Some clinics that specialise in foot and ankle care usually include custom orthotics as part of a treatment plan.

In a treatment plan, the podiatrist prepares a written document that will describe how they and the patient will work together towards achieving a goal. In this case, the goal is to get the patient back on their feet to enjoy a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Should you wear orthotics all the time?

When and how long should you wear your orthotics will depend on your podiatrist’s advice. But in general, you are allowed to wear your custom shoe inserts whenever you wear your shoes for walking, running or when you leave your house.

custom orthotics

The Takeaway on Custom Orthotics

Even if you don’t experience foot pain, instabilities and imbalances of your feet’s muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones can contribute to other aches and pains of your knees, hips and back.

Remember, your feet carry your body’s weight and how your body feels can affect the way you stand, walk and run.

Custom orthotics can treat any misalignment of your foot and ankle and thus help prevent ache and pain in other areas of your body.

Experiencing hip and back pain? Alignment problems in your feet could be the culprit. Set an appointment with Adelaide Foot and Ankle today so we can check for potential foot problems you might have overlooked.

Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

By Podiatrist - Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails or onychocryptosis is the redness and swelling of a person’s big toe. It occurs when the sides of the nail grow into the skin.

As the sides or corners of the nails continue to grow and curl downward, they pierce the soft tissues of the flesh around the nails. Thus, bringing pain and discomfort to our feet.

Two of the most common causes of ingrown are the incorrect trimming of toenails and wearing ill-fitting footwear.

You can treat ingrown toenails with home remedies as long as the condition is in the early stage. Otherwise, if there is already an infection or if you have diabetes or vascular disease (poor circulation) — you should contact your podiatrist as soon as possible.

Read on to know more about ingrown toenail causes, symptoms, treatment and overall foot care.

How to Know the Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Ingrown Toenail

onychocryptosis or ingrown toenail

Image source: Wikipedia

Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

The difference between ingrown toenails and other foot problems.

Foot fungus, such as Athlete’s Foot, can cause discolouration and malformation of the toenails. You may notice the presence of white spots on the nails or yellowish debris below your toenail. Sometimes, a toenail appears irregular in shape and chalky.
Psoriasis and Eczema are skin disorders that can disfigure your nails. Often, the nails begin to peel or split. Also, your toenail may start to ripple or become thicker.
Your toenails can turn black due to trauma, Melanoma or Skin Cancer.
Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection that can cause abnormal toenail growth, which can become ingrown.

The early stage of ingrown toenail

The surrounding skin of the toenail becomes reddened, hardened, swollen and painful.
The swollen part may feel warm to the touch.
Pressure applied to the toe causes pain. Children limping can be a sign of ingrown toenails as they try to avoid putting pressure on the affected toes.

The later stage

Overgrowth of skin and tissue appear around the nail.
Yellow-coloured drainage starts to appear. This is not yet an infection but it’s our body’s response to the trauma or irritation as nails grow deeper and pierce the soft tissues under the skin.

The development of infection

The swelling and redness worsen.
The yellowish drainage now contains pus.
Although not common, fever may develop due to the infection.

Causes

Incorrect trimming

One of the most common causes of ingrown in toenails is cutting a nail too short and cutting the corners to curve in. This incorrect way of trimming encourages the edge of the nails to grow deeper into the skin.

proper toenail cutting to avoid ingrown toenails

Image source: Orthoinfo

The proper way of trimming the nails is to cut straight across and just enough not to expose the nail bed.

Foot Trauma

Frequent jamming or stubbing of the toes and accidental dropping of something on the toes can cause in the development of ingrown.

Ill-fitting footwear

Another common cause of ingrown toenails is wearing ill-fitting shoes. Repeated pressure brought about by activities such as soccer, running or ballet while wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause ingrown in the toes to develop.

Young adults and teens who participate in sports or ballet classes are prone to ingrown since they experience growth spurts and body changes at some point in their lives. They outgrow their shoes quickly without noticing it and so they keep on wearing ill-fitting footwear for a while.

Pedicure

There’s nothing wrong with having a pedicure. Just be cautious about how the nail technician trims your toenails. Keep in mind that incorrect trimming leads to the development of ingrown in the toenails.

Genetic Predisposition

The trait of developing toenail ingrown is passed on from parents and on to their children.

Photo by Min An from Pexels

Treatment

The early stages of onychocryptosis can be treated at home. And sometimes, you just need the nails to grow out. Anyway, here are…

Common Non-surgical Treatment or Home Remedies

Always wear comfortable socks and shoes

Remember, the leading cause of ingrown on the toes is wearing tight-fitting shoes and socks. Therefore, avoid shoes and socks that are too tight to prevent crowding the toes. Instead, wear shoes that fit but also leaves adequate space for your toes.

Soak your affected toes in warm water

Soaking your affected toes in warm water can help ease the pain and reduce the swelling. Do this 3 times a day with a duration of 20 minutes. You can add Castile soap and Epsom salt in the water for an extra relief.

Apply antiseptic ointments

After 20 minutes of soaking in warm water, apply an antiseptic ointment and then bandage the affected area. Podiatrist recommend antiseptic ointments such as Betadine or Savlon n

The following are common home remedies but they come with disadvantages.

Using dental floss or cotton under the edge of the nails

This is a home remedy suggested by the Mayo Clinic. However, other medical groups do not agree with this advice since it can only cause more pain and more bacteria to thrive into the infected area.

Over-the-counter pain relievers and oral antibiotics

Over-the-counter pain relievers may work but they come with side effects such as diarrhoea, upset stomach and abdominal pain. Likewise, there is no proof that oral antibiotics can improve the condition.

Surgical Treatment

Here are the reasons why your toes need medical treatment from a podiatric surgeon or podiatrist.

If home remedies didn’t work after a week and signs of infection begin to appear.
If you have heart or vascular disease, diabetes, suffer from repeated ingrown toenails and a long history of tobacco abuse.

What happens if infected ingrown toenails are left untreated?

A superficial infection called Paronychia can advance into a deeper infection called Cellulitis or tissue infection, which can proceed in a much deeper problem — Osteomyelitis or bone infection.

Seek medical help even if your ingrown toenails are in the early stages

Don’t wait for your foot condition to complicate into a serious infection. Make an appointment at Adelaide Foot and Ankle before it’s too late.

Orthotics and Shoe Inserts: What you need to know about these foot treatment devices

By Podiatrist - Bunions,Diabetes and poor circulation (vascular disease),Flat Feet,Foot and ankle pain and instability,Hammer toes,Heel spurs & plantar fasciitis,Orthotics

Orthotics are medical devices that patients wear inside their shoes. A podiatrist often prescribes foot orthotics or foot orthoses to patients who have problems with how they stand, walk and run.

Orthotic devices are also used to treat patients with foot pain caused by disorders such as arthritis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis and diabetes.

Most people have foot and leg issues and you could be one of them. One of the best remedies is the use of orthotics and shoe inserts.

Read on to know more about how foot and leg problems are treated with orthotic therapy.

What orthotics and shoe inserts are and how they are used to relieve pain of the foot, leg and back.

Orthotics definition

In simplest terms, orthotics are medical devices designed to treat foot, leg and back problems. The best way to make prescription orthotics is from a laser scan of the feet and either computer-aided design and milling or 3 D printing.

Generally, the main purpose of orthotic devices is to promote proper alignment of your foot and ankle when you’re standing, walking, or running. You will use them as shoe inserts and they are often referred to as orthotics inserts and orthotics insoles.

Differences between shoe inserts and prescription custom orthotics

Shoe inserts are over-the-counter medical devices that provide support and cushion for your foot. They are made from different kinds of materials such as foam, gel or plastic.

Shoe inserts are not sold as one-size-fits-all products so you can easily get a pair that would perfectly fit your shoes.

However, they are not prescription or custom-made so the design won’t match with your feet correctly. Shoe inserts may provide cushion and support but they don’t necessarily solve an individual’s foot problem.

Common Types of Shoe Inserts

orthotics fabrication

Foot cushions are a solution to those situations where you feel your shoes are rubbing against your toes or heel. You can use them as barriers between you and your shoe. Foot cushions come in various shapes and sizes.

Heel liners, also known as heel cups or heel pads, are extra cushions for your heels. This type of shoe inserts is especially helpful if you are experiencing heel pain due to the thinning of your heels’ natural fat pads; this condition often occurs in older people.

Insoles are for extra cushion and you can easily slip them into your shoes. They are usually made of foam, gel or plastic.

Arch supports often have that ”bumped up” appearance that keeps your foot in its natural arch position. They are designed to treat patients who have either high arches (pes cavus) or low arches (flat feet).

Custom orthotics are much different from shoe inserts since the former is prescription-based, high-quality medical devices. They are custom-made using a laser scan of your actual foot so they are designed to fit your feet perfectly.

As a result, Custom orthotics have a higher chance of correcting biomechanical foot problems like the misalignment of the foot and ankle.

Misalignment of the foot and ankle comes in many forms and they are:

Pronation
Overpronation
Supination and
Over supination

The 2 Types of Orthotic Devices:

Accommodative orthotics are made from soft materials to provide extra cushioning and support. They are designed to treat uncomfortable medical conditions such as painful calluses on the foot’s bottom and diabetic foot ulcers.

Functional orthotics are made from semi-rigid materials such as plastics and graphite. They are used for the treatment of foot pain caused by an abnormal motion of the foot that can result in injuries such as tendonitis and shin splints.

Uses of Orthotics

Here are some of the common medical conditions that your podiatrist may require the use of orthotics:

Plantar fasciitis is one of the many known causes of heel pain. Podiatrists will often recommend orthotic devices for foot and heel support.

Injuries. Patients who are experiencing trauma to their ankles and feet sometimes need additional support.

High arches. Arches that are too high can cause stress to muscles and often lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, knee pain and shin splints.

Heel spurs are conditions where too much growth of bones on the bottom of the foot or at the back of the heel. Patients with heel spurs may need support from prescription foot orthoses.

Hammertoes are often the side effect of bunions on the big toes, which also causes pain on the second toe and deformations on the ball of the foot. Hammertoes require the use of orthotic devices for foot support and to prevent further worsening of the condition.

Flat feet can cause foot, ankle, heel and back pain. Patients with flat feet need support from orthotic devices to promote the correct positioning of the foot.

Diabetes. Patients with diabetes sometimes experience diabetic neuropathy. It is a condition where the patients lose the sensation in their foot. As a result, the foot experiences excessive stress and pressure, which often leads to foot ulcers.

Bursitis is a pain and discomfort caused by the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs on the heels and toes. This discomfort can be treated using orthotic devices that have heel and arch support.

Bunions are painful foot deformities or bumps at the base of the great toes. The use of wide toe box orthotics can help lessen the pressure on the great toe.

Back pain is often due to poor positioning of your feet like arches that roll inward. Similarly, the lack of cushioning on the foot may also cause back pain.

Arthritis. Poor foot positioning, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause discomfort in your feet that only orthotics can help by promoting proper alignment of the feet and ankle.

What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a registered healthcare professional trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the foot and ankle. A very small number of podiatrists have done 6 years of additional training to become a podiatric surgeon and registered specialists. Podiatric surgeons have the expertise to correct foot and ankle problems in addition to providing medical management.

The services of a podiatrist will often include a complete assessment of the biomechanical problems of the lower limb and analysis of gait.

When to call a podiatrist?

Foot and ankle care is essential because your feet are ‘shock absorbers’ as you move or get around. Your feet have complex bone structures that are instrumental for your well-being and overall health, thus they need expert care.

Orthotic therapy is beneficial for athletes not only for treating sports injuries but to greatly enhance their performance.

Let us take good care of your foot and ankle!

Whether you have foot issues or want to enhance your overall performance in sports, we at Adelaide Foot and Ankle can help you in getting your feet back to being active again. Contact us now to make an appointment.

Topographical Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle Lateral Aspect and Nerves of the Foot and Ankle

By Podiatrist - Videos

As a podiatrist, it is very important to accurately identify the anatomy of the foot and ankle. As a podiatrist in Adelaide and a podiatric surgeon, Dr. Rob Hermann demonstrates a technique used to identify the lateral anatomy of the foot and ankle. The nerves of the foot and ankle are also identified.

Using these methods can greatly assist in identifying nerve entrapment, treatment with orthotics, the administration of steroid injections and surgical management of the foot and ankle.

This information is useful in a podiatry clinic and for any clinician who manages foot and ankle conditions.

Watch a related video.

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Archives

What Is a Bunion?

Who Needs Bunion Surgery?

What Are the Benefits of Bunion Surgery?

What Happens During the Surgery?

What Happens After the Procedure?

Recovery Period

Possible Postoperative Complications

Do You Need Bunion Surgery?

Information About 4 Plantar Wart Home Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar

How to use apple cider vinegar for plantar wart removal

What do studies say about apple cider vinegar?

Salicylic acid

How to use Salicylic acid for plantar wart removal

Patches

Liquids

What do studies say about Salicylic acid?

Duct Tape

How to use duct tape for plantar wart removal

What do studies say about duct tape?

Tea tree oil

How to use tea tree oil for plantar wart removal

What do studies say about tea tree oil?

The Bottom Line

The Takeaway on Plantar Wart Home Remedies

Safe and Effective Ingrown Toenail Home Remedies

1. Warm, Soapy Water Soak

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

3. Epsom Salt Soak

4. Hydrogen Peroxide Soak

5. Wearing Comfortable Footwear

6. Using Toe Protectors

7. Taking Oral Antibiotics

8. Taking OTC Pain Relievers

9. Applying Antibiotic Ointments

Visit Your Foot and Ankle Doctor If Ingrown Nail Home Remedies Do Not Work

What are Tendons?

What is Tendonitis?

Types of Tendonitis

Golfer’s Elbow

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis

Noninsertional Achilles Tendinitis

Insertional Achilles Tendinitis

Symptoms and Treatment

Achilles Tendonitis? Contact Adelaide Foot and Ankle

Orthotic Shoes

Custom Orthotics

Get the Benefits of Custom Orthotics

How do you know if you need custom orthotics?

The 3 Types of Orthotics

Shop front-generated orthotics

Over the counter (OTC) orthotics

Professional custom orthotics

The 2 types of Custom Foot Orthotics

Which type of orthotic is right for you?

Over the counter and kiosk orthotics

Custom foot orthotics

Should you wear orthotics all the time?

The Takeaway on Custom Orthotics

How to Know the Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Ingrown Toenail

Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

The difference between ingrown toenails and other foot problems.

The early stage of ingrown toenail

The later stage

The development of infection

Causes

Incorrect trimming

Foot Trauma

Ill-fitting footwear

Pedicure

Genetic Predisposition

Treatment

Common Non-surgical Treatment or Home Remedies

Always wear comfortable socks and shoes

Soak your affected toes in warm water

Apply antiseptic ointments

Using dental floss or cotton under the edge of the nails

Over-the-counter pain relievers and oral antibiotics