When we walk, our feet must move and adapt in certain ways to lessen the risk for injury, pain and discomfort. To prepare for contacting ground, the foot arch must be higher or more supinated, making the foot a rigid lever for heel strike. As the body progresses through the gait cycle, the arch flattens slightly or pronates to adapt to uneven terrain and absorb shock from the ground.
BioPedâs multidisciplinary team of Certified Pedorthists, Footcare Nurses and Registered Chiropodists enjoy providing care for new clients and for those they have known for years
Cracked heels can quickly become a serious problem if theyâre ignored. Letâs dive in to learn why our skin must be protected and nurtured to keep it intact and doing its job!
Does anyone truly see your feet until itâs time to slip on a pair of summer sandals? You want to know how to make your feet look pedicure fresh after a long Canadian winter? Hidden beneath our warm socks and shoes, our feet are often neglected.
Arthritis can come in many forms such as; rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritic, osteoarthritis and many other types. The word arthritis can be defined as the inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. There are more than 100 conditions that affect the joints and other connective tissues.
Whether competing against others or doing it for personal growth and fitness, runners committed to their sport are disciplined and driven as they strive for greatness!
Athleteâs foot is a fungal infection of the skin and is also known as tinea pedis. Fungus likes to live where it is warm, dark and moist and as a result, people with sweaty feet are more susceptible to developing this type of infection. Athleteâs foot can be uncomfortable, smell bad and may even lead to other types of infections which could interfere with treatment and recovery. Fungal infections are contagious and can be spread from person-to-person. Additionally, if your immune system is compromised, you may also be more at risk.
The big toe joint is a well-used joint in the foot. Its main job is toeing off or propelling the body forward when walking. In a lifetime, the average human can walk around the world three timesâŠthis is a lot of wear and tear on our foot joints!
At BioPed Footcare, people of all ages and all walks of life visit our clinicâs lower limb clinicians for help with foot and lower limb pain and discomfort.
Most bunion sufferers donât actually know the variety of solutions that exist to help relieve their pain. As a result, most bunion pain sufferers simply try and live with it. We are here to change that! Read on for effective solutions for bunion pain.
Can compression socks improve my performance when skating or playing hockey? Compression socks can be a great way to improve performance during your game and today we will let you know how.
Our feet ground us, and are the foundation of our bodies. To provide necessary support they need properly fitted footwear. If shoes donât fit properly, they can cause pain and discomfort and can also lead to nail and skin issues due to pressure and friction.Â
A good lower limb clinician that fits you with the proper shoes for your feet is like an eye specialist finding the perfect glasses for your eyes â both are important to your overall health.
Fungal toenails, also known as onychomycosis, are a common yet stubborn condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Any fungal foot infection proliferates in hot, moist environments. Toenail fungus occurs when fungi, particularly dermatophytes, invade the nail bed, causing discoloration, thickening, and brittleness. The condition can be challenging to treat due to the fungus residing beneath the toenail, making it harder for medications to reach the source of the infection. If you're struggling with fungal toenails, understanding the causes, symptoms, and the most effective treatment for toe fungus is key to restoring healthy nails.
Have you ever taken your shoes off and been accosted by an offensive and pungent odour? Sweaty feet can lead to smelly feet, which can cause embarrassment and social awkwardness!
Our feet have over 250,000 sweat glands and on average, they perspire the equivalent of one cup of sweat per day. This moisture builds up, creating a breeding ground for microorganisms. In turn, these microorganisms, most commonly bacteria and fungi, consume dead skin cells, leading to waste production and resultant shoe odour. Odour can also be caused by components of our sweat.
Temperatures are dropping and winter solstice is quickly approaching! Our feet and toes are far away from the bodyâs core, which makes them susceptible to cold temperatures.
Ever experienced a tingling or burning sensation in or noticed a change in the colour of the skin on your feet when exposed to the cold?  An extreme cold weather warning is in effect for several areas in Ontario this week.
The foot is a complex system consisting of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The foot is subdivided into the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot.
Our toenails tell us a lot about our overall health and well-being. Nails contain a protein called keratin, just like skin and hair. This is what makes nails strong, hard plates or shields. The matrix in the nail bed creates new skin cells which push out the old ones creating a nail. If the nail matrix is damaged or injured, this can affect the way the nail grows.Â
Corns and calluses are common skin lesions that occur in the feet, resulting from pressure and/or friction. Fortunately, foot orthotics can be an effective option to prevent and treat these issues. Letâs explore how corns and calluses are caused, how to distinguish between them, and how orthotics can play a key role in relieving discomfort and lessening the chance of recurrence.
Corns and callus are two of the most common foot issues. If you suffer with either of these issues, you do not have to be embarrassed, BioPed Registered Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses are ready to help!
Itâs surprising how many patients have corns on their feet and visit a BioPed Chiropodist only after years of pain, not knowing sooner that there was treatment available for their condition. When they arrive, the questions they have are almost always so what is the difference between a corn and a callus? Can it be permanently removed? Is treatment painful?
Do you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, pain in your Big Toe Joint or have been told that you have a Neuroma? What comes next? Is there anything you can do? Well, Cortisone injections may be a great option for you!
Cortisone shots are commonly used to treat inflammation and pain in the shoulders, back, hands, hips, and knees. Did you know they can also be used for the feet?Â
Cortisone shots are commonly used to treat inflammation and pain in the shoulders, back, hands, hips and knees. Did you know they can also be used for the FEET?
At BioPed Footcare, people of all ages and all walks of life visit our clinicâs lower limb clinicians for help with foot and lower limb pain and discomfort.
Our feet are a complex structure of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints that must all work together for proper function. If feet are abnormally positioned or alignment is off, the rest of the body could suffer.
Patients with diabetes frequently develop an intermittent or permanent loss of sensation (neuropathy) in their feet. Without the warning of discomfort or pain, pressures developed from poorly fitting footwear, particularly on the soles of the "diabetic foot" can result in an open ulcer
According to Diabetes Canada (Feb 2020), diabetes affects the lives of almost 11 million Canadians. Diabetes is the inability for the body to make or properly use insulin, and it impairs the bodyâs ability to convert sugars, starches and other foods into energy.
Diabetes can cause damage inside and outside the body if it is undiagnosed or left uncontrolled for too long. It is important to be aware of early signs and symptoms that could be an indication of diabetes.
Winter can be hard on your Feet, especially if you are Diabetic! It is important to stay on top of your Foot Health during the Colder Weather, and this can involve some steps that you previously never would have thought of.
Diabetes is a condition whereby the body does not make insulin or has trouble recognizing it. Insulin is crucial for storing food sugars. With diabetes, the sugars are not stored properly and remain at high levels in the blood stream.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the bodyâs ability to turn food into energy. After we eat, food is broken down into sugar and released into the bloodstream.Â
Our toenails can tell us a lot about our overall health and well-being. Nails contain a protein called keratin, like skin and hair, making nails strong, hard plates or shields. The matrix in the nail bed creates new skin cells, pushing out the old ones, and creating a new nail.
The largest organ in the body is our skin. Made up of over 60% water, its main function is protection acting as a waterproof barrier that shields us from the elements in our environment, including chemicals and microorganisms.Â
If you have noticed your toenails changing in colour or appearance, consider that they may be infected with fungus and should be treated readily to ensure that the infection does not spread to nearby toes, or to the feet of family and friends.
A blister is a bubble of fluid under the skin. The clear, watery liquid inside a blister is called âserum.â It develops as a reaction to injured skin.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the bodyâs ability to use food properly, which results in more sugar or glucose freely circulating in the blood.  Itâs possible to live a healthy life with diabetes. To do so, itâs important to learn and follow proper diabetes management, which takes awareness, discipline, and commitment.Â
People often talk about having ânail fungusâ or âathleteâs footâ but recent medical literature by Dr. Warren Joseph (Foot Infection Disease Specialist in the USA) suggests that basically you canât have one without the other.
Have you ever taken your shoes off and been accosted by an offensive odour coming from inside? Have you wanted to attempt to staunch the smell by immediately putting them back on? Has that smell lingered in the hall closet long after taking your shoes off?
The Footlogix line of products offers a range of scientifically advanced solutions to help keep your feet and nails healthy, moisturised, and rejuvenated.
The bottoms of our feet are subjected to pressure and friction when we walk, run, climb, jump, and even sit. If the skin on our feet endures enough pressure and friction, callus may develop.
Fungal toenails, also known as onychomycosis, occur due to an infection of the nail. It is similar to another fungal infections of the foot, such as Athleteâs foot, although they differ in their location and treatment protocol. It is vital to understand these differences when preventing and attending to fungal toenails.
Toenail fungus is evident in the toenail itself, but the infection resides in the nail bed underneath the nail plate. The nail matrix or cells from which the nail grows is the part of the toenail that becomes infected with fungus.
A Hammertoe is a deformity that causes your toe to curl downward instead of pointing forward. It can affect any toe, but most often affects the second or third toe on your foot.
If youâre experiencing common painful foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, or flat feet, a Registered Chiropodist can help you in many ways!
Ingrown toenails, toe fungus, and corns are amongst the many conditions that our medical foot care team can take care of for you. Too often, the feet are the most neglected part of our body, and problems might go undetected at first. Registered Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses provide medical care for skin and toenail foot concerns. However, Chiropodists offer an expanded scope of practice, such as biomechanical evaluations, so letâs review each profession in more detail.
Ingrown toenails can be painful! If left untreated, they can lead to considerable pain and discomfort which could force you to change the way you walk or move around to protect your sore toe.
Plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They are contagious, meaning they can be spread from person to person and even to other areas of the foot.
An ingrown toenail can be painful! If left untreated, it can lead to significant pain which may force you to change the way you walk to protect your sore toe.
Psoriasis is a condition that causes dry red/white/silver patches on skin that usually feel itchy and irritated. These patches are referred to as plaques and are found most on the knees, elbows, and bottoms of the feet, but they can occur anywhere on the body.
Knee injuries are more common than you might think. Whether you are an avid runner, a weekend warrior, or experienced an awkward twist while going about your day, a knee injury can significantly impact your ability to move freely. The most common question after injury is âShould I use heat or ice to help my knee heal?â The answer depends on the type of injury and the stage of recovery. Letâs break it down so you can recover smarter and get back to doing more in life!
A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts in the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Mortonâs neuroma, which develops between the third and fourth toes in the ball of the foot.
Knee ligament injuries are common and can happen to anyone, from athletes to people going about their daily activities. These injuries can cause significant knee pain and disrupt your mobility. One effective way to support recovery is through bracing, which provides stability, reduces pain, and helps protect the knee as it heals. In this blog, weâll explore the ligaments of the knee, common injuries, and how to choose the right knee brace for your specific needs.
Knee pain is a challenge and can be a barrier to living an active and healthy life. Sometimes the pain can come and go, but when do you take charge and do something about it?
Dealing with sweaty feet can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and even lead to other foot issues if left untreated. Sweaty feet, also known as plantar hyperhidrosis, occurs when the sweat glands in your feet produce excessive moisture. For some, itâs a mild annoyance, while others may experience a constant damp feeling, leading to skin irritation, unpleasant odour, and even infections. Understanding the causes and solutions for this condition can help you stay comfortable and protect your feet.Â
Stiff, creaky knees and hips or swollen, sore fingers are often attributed to arthritis. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including our toes!
Nail care is extremely important all year long. Your nails can be a reflection of your overall health, so there are some key things to look out for when taking care of your nails.
Footwear is often an exacerbating factor of foot ailments. Ill-fitting footwear is not only uncomfortable, it can cause nail and skin issues. It may prevent you from being comfortable and accomplishing your daily activities.
Toenail bracing has been around for decades, and innovation has delivered a new nail correction system that is not only effective for the treatment of ingrown toenails, but also corrects several other toenail disorders.
Is your big toe or pinky toe distancing itself from itâs neighbor? Typically our toes all get along and live well in close quarters but occasionally we may have one or two toes that drifts upwards, downwards or off to one side.
With 33 joints in the foot, one of them is bound to be bothersome at some point. Pain in the big toe joint can result from a number of conditions. Whether you are young or old, an athlete or sedentary, the big toe joint can become injured, arthritic, infected, jammed or stiff.
Have you noticed a painful bump on the back of your heel? It can be reddened, swollen or sore, or it might not hurt at all. Did you know that itâs probably a âpump bump?â Well, technically the medical name for this is a Haglundâs Deformity but since itâs most common in women between the ages of 20-40, it was thought to be secondary to wearing high-heeled pumps.
Foot warts are one of many skin conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, called the human papilloma virus. It generally invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions.
Psoriasis is a condition that can cause patches of red or whitish-silver, itchy dry skin anywhere on the body. These patches are called âplaquesâ and are typically found on the following areas: knees, elbows and bottoms of the feet.
Psoriasis is a condition that causes dry red/white/silver patches on skin that usually feel itchy and irritated. These patches are referred to as plaques and are found most on the knees, elbows, and bottoms of the feet, but they can occur anywhere on the body.
Most people know the term âarthritis,â which directly translates to âjoint inflammationâ. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are frequently talked about types of arthritis, but there is also a lesser known kind called psoriatic arthritis (PsA) which can also cause pain and make moving around more challenging.
Did you know that Shockwave therapy has been safely treating muscle, ligament and bone injuries for decades? Shockwave machines can be found at Olympic events, at the World Cup, at athletic events and at major medical institutions around the world, including the Mayo Clinic.
Our feet carry us around day-to-day and are therefore exposed to small and large objects alike.   Stepping on something sharp like glass, can pose a serious risk to your health and wellbeing. Depending on the size of the glass shard and how deeply it has embedded itself into the skin and underlying tissues, the injury could be a minor or major issue.
You have been enjoying the beautiful summer weather. Kicking off your shoes, walking around the pool or with your toes in the sand at the beach. Life is good. Summer is a great time to get outside and do more, but have you been taking care of your feet? Do your feet require some end-of-summer care to prepare for fall?
Christmas is fast approaching once again! As we enter the season of gift-giving, this is often a busy time of year with lots of running around. Shopping, cooking, tidying, and activities with our loved ones can certainly demand a lot of our feet. Weâve put together a list of 12 gifts of Christmas that are sure to keep you feeling comfy and cozy. Whether youâre looking to treat yourself or surprise a loved one, these gifts are the perfect choice for the holiday season.
An ingrown toenail is a common foot problem, accounting for 20% of all foot-related family doctor visits. Family doctors will often refer their patients to an Advanced Footcare Nurse or Registered Chiropodist so you have come to the right place!
Your nails and skin are often a reflection of your overall health. There are key things you can do at home to keep your nails and skin on your feet healthy all year long!
Toenail Bracing has made groundbreaking developments in the past decade, and is now a great treatment for ingrown toenails. OnyfixÂź has evolved the toenail brace to become a gentle nail correction system that only involves a layer of resin, made of methylacrylate. It is described as a painless treatment and involves no surgical intervention. Patients with diabetes or children may strongly consider it!
What is an ingrown nail? An ingrown nail occurs when a portion of one or both sides of the nail pierces through the sulcus or skin surrounding the nail. It can be painful causing the surrounding skin to appear red, swollen and tender to the touch. Learn more about ingrown toenails and how nail bracing can help!
Fungus is a microorganism or small âbugâ that likes to live where itâs warm, dark and moist. Shoes and socks are the perfect breeding ground for fungus. Toenails infected by fungus is also known as onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis) in the medical community.
A toenail can be injured by dropping something on your toe, stubbing your toe, repetitive trauma (e.g. wearing shoes that are too tight or through sports, such as running), surgery, disease or by peeling or picking the nail.
Our lower limb clinicians will have insight into your overall health, just by looking at your toenails. The lack of vitamins or minerals, or the presence of dehydration, nerve dysfunction and other diseases, such as kidney failure, can be evident to a BioPed Chiropodist just by examining your toenails.
Going on a trip can be adventurous, relaxing and fun! It is always nice to get away to a new place or even somewhere youâve been numerous times before.
Do your legs ever feel achy, tired, fatigued, heavy or swollen? If they do, you may have a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency and you could benefit from compression therapy.
Corns and callus are common and can be painful if left untreated. BioPed footcare clinicians treat corns and callus during routine footcare appointments.
Our toes play an important role in our posture, balance and supporting body weight. In doing this, they endure a considerable amount of pressure as they bend and grip to stabilize the feet and lower body. Walking on uneven terrain, such as hiking through the woods, can be challenging to navigate. Our toes help to stabilize us to keep us from losing our balance!
Chiropodists are Medical Footcare Clinicians who can prescribe oral and topical medications and can perform soft tissue surgical procedures and injections into the feet. Letâs learn how a Chiropodist can help you today!
Have you ever taken your shoes off and been accosted by an offensive and pungent odour? Has that smell lingered in the hall closet long after youâve removed your shoes? Smelly feet can cause embarrassment and social awkwardness. There are several reasons feet and shoes may become smelly.
The short answer is, yes it can come back! Fungal infections can be difficult to eradicate, and because they are contagious, they can recur. The good news is there are steps you can take to lessen your chances of reinfection.
When the bottoms of our feet become dry, they begin to crack. These cracks break the protective barrier and create a place for bacteria or viruses to enter.
