callus Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain

Foot conditions alleviated with properly fitted footwear

BioPed Footcare — Tue, 28 May 2024 19:31:17 +0000

From standing all day at work to indulging in adventurous hikes, our feet endure a lot. However, one of, if not the most important aspect of foot health is properly fitted footwear. It’s not just about style or fashion; it’s about ensuring the right support for our feet to prevent and alleviate common foot conditions. Let’s delve into the importance of properly fitted footwear and how it can bring relief to several common foot ailments.

What it Means to Have Footwear Fit Properly

Shoes that fit your feet always feel good; plain and simple! But what does it mean to have shoes that fit well? For many people, it means choosing the shoe size they’ve always been told that fits them and that’s it. While this might be a good starting point, there are other things to consider as well for your shoe size, and it’s no small list:

Heel-to-toe length: this is the measured shoe size from the very back of the foot to the very front of your longest toe. You should never be wearing shoes that are smaller than this measurement.
Heel-to-ball length: this is the measured shoe size from the very back of the foot to the “ball of the foot”, or the metatarsal heads. This size could be the same, larger, or smaller than your heel-to-toe length, so be sure to try on both sizes to compare.
Width: this is measured at the ball of the foot, which will be the widest part of the shoe. Many people will often buy shoes in a larger size if they are too tight on the sides, when they might just have a wider foot than average. Many shoes are available in narrow, medium, wide, extra-wide, and even extra-extra-wide.
Depth: this is how much vertical volume is inside of the shoe, but it isn’t necessarily something that is measured. Some shoes are available with a 2^nd removable insole to offer more space inside the shoe, which can be helpful for swollen feet or those with a high instep.

These are some of the details your Canadian Certified Pedorthists look for when you come to BioPed. We can use this information and more to properly fit you for comfortable shoes that help with several common foot conditions, such as the following:

Bunions and Bunionettes

Bunions are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, while bunionettes develop on the joint of the pinky toe. Tight, narrow shoes squeeze the toes together, increasing pressure on these areas and worsening the deformities. Look for shoes with a wide toe box to provide ample space and relieve discomfort.

Hammer Toes and Claw Toes

Hammer toes and claw toes occur when the toes become bent and curled due to muscle imbalance or prolonged pressure. Shoes with narrow, pointed toe boxes force the toes into unnatural positions, exacerbating these conditions. Choose shoes with a roomy toe box and soft, flexible materials to accommodate toe deformities and prevent further discomfort.

Morton’s Neuroma and Metatarsalgia

Morton’s neuroma involves the thickening of tissue around the nerves between the toes, causing sharp, burning pain. Metatarsalgia is characterized by pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. Both conditions can be aggravated by shoes with tight toe boxes and inadequate cushioning. Look for shoes with ample cushioning in the forefoot and a wide toe box to alleviate pressure on the affected areas.

Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop in response to friction or pressure. Ill-fitting shoes create friction points, leading to the formation of these painful lesions. Choose shoes with smooth, seam-free interiors and proper sizing to prevent rubbing and irritation.

Top of Foot Pain

Top of foot pain can result from various factors, including nerve compression, tendon inflammation, or stress fractures. Tight laces or straps on shoes can exacerbate this pain by compressing the top of the foot. Look for shoes with adjustable closures and cushioned tongues to alleviate pressure and provide a comfortable fit.

Come See Us!

Are you having a hard time finding shoes that fit? Are you having pain or discomfort when you wear certain shoes? If so, we are here to help. At BioPed, your clinical team specializes in recommending and fitting comfortable shoes, ensuring you feel your best with every step. Visit us today to see how the right pair of shoes can make all the difference when it comes to shopping for your new shoes!

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What is swimmers’ toe and what can I do about it?

BioPed Footcare — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:46:13 +0000

With the summer weather here, we get to spend more time in the swimming pool. Whether in the backyard or at the local community pool, the more time we spend in the water keeping cool, the more likely it becomes that we encounter swimmer’s toe.

What is Swimmer’s Toe?

The technical term is keratolysis exfoliative, but it is also known as pool toes. This condition presents as cracking and peeling under the toes. It can also present as a blister that pops to expose dry, red skin. The chemicals and over exposure to water for a prolonged period of time causes irritation and dryness in the sensitive skin of the foot. The more time spent in the water, the more irritated the skin can become.

Although this can occur in any body of water if you swim long enough, the rough surface of a pool bottom and the chlorine can exacerbate symptoms.

The main issues here are irritation and the breakdown of the skin barrier. Public pool surfaces are a known source of the wart virus “HPV” and other foot infectious agents, such as fungus, that can be easily picked up when the skin barrier on the bottom of your feet is broken due to scrapes, tiny cuts, friction or broken blisters. Swimmer’s toe puts you at risk for these infections.

Who Can Get It?

Everyone, although it is more common in children who spend, on average, more time in the pool or those with pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema.

How Can You Combat Swimmer’s Toe?

Below we’ve compiled some tips to help you combat swimmer’s toe this summer:

Rinse off your feet! Once you get out of the water, rinse your feet off to wash away the chlorine and chemicals used to keep the water safe for swimming.

Moisturize! BioPed carries a line of products that moisturize your feet without leaving an oily residue behind, perfect for a midday application right out of the pool.

Wear moisture-wicking socks! If you’re having an active day after the swim, and really, all summer long, try to wear moisture-wicking socks that take the sweaty moisture away from the delicate foot skin, keeping them dry.

Keep sandals or shoes on! Both on deck and in the pool when possible! If you’re in the water, shoes are a great way to keep the skin of your feet from getting irritated or torn on the rough pool bottom. Deckside, having a barrier between your foot (which may be compromised if you have Swimmer’s toe or any other skin condition) and the pool deck, will protect you from getting an infection, such as warts or fungus, that accumulate on the pool deck and shower floors.

After making a splash this summer, make sure that you keep your feet dry. And if they are peeling, cracked or irritated, have a quality moisturizer on hand to keep the skin under your feet healthy.

The post What is swimmers’ toe and what can I do about it? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

How can a callus become a wound

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 25 May 2023 17:39:21 +0000

How can a callus become a wound?

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. Callus is thickened skin, known as hyperkeratosis (hy-per-ker-uh-toh-sis), caused by a shearing force when the foot and the ground move in opposite directions.

How does a callus become a wound?

A small build-up of callus is usually not serious for people who have good sensation in their feet and are able to feel pain and discomfort from pressure and friction. Callus becomes problematic when there is a loss of protective sensation or the inability to feel. This is called neuropathy and can be a complication of diabetes. A person who has diabetes or neuropathy may not even realize they have a callus and if left untreated, that callus can become thick and hard and damage the soft tissue underneath it. When this happens, inflammation and bleeding occurs under the thickened skin. Subsequently, tissue may begin to die and a small cavity resembling a blister will form. At this stage, a wound or ulcer will be revealed when the callus is trimmed or removed.

Why is callus more serious in people with diabetes?

For people with diabetes, it is crucial that all calluses are debrided or removed and excess pressure on the bottom of the foot is offloaded. According to Diabetes Canada, diabetes is the leading cause of lower limb amputation. Adults who have diabetes are twenty times more likely to undergo an amputation of the lower limb, 85% of which are preceded by a foot wound. Regular callus debridement is one way to reduce the risk of tissue breakdown, wounds, and more serious complications.

What can you do to lessen your risk of developing a callus-related wound?

Callus is often caused by the way we walk and move around, or by wearing shoes that don’t fit well or walking barefoot often. To lessen the risk of complications, it is best to seek the advice of a lower limb clinician. During an assessment at BioPed Footcare, our lower limb clinicians will take a medical history, conduct an exam of the lower limbs and feet, inspect shoes to ensure they are a good fit, and will watch how you walk. We strive to increase our clients’ comfort and improve their function so they can do more in life. To do this, we present all treatment options to clients and decide on the best next steps together.

BioPed Footcare clinics are equipped with onsite laboratories where foot orthotics are custom-made for each client. Orthotics can effectively correct a person’s lower body mechanics and off-load high pressure areas on the feet. Wearing custom foot orthotics in well-fitting footwear can significantly increase comfort and reduce the severity of callus build-up on the feet. Many of our locations offer Medical Footcare by Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses who are trained to safely remove callus. During a Medical Footcare appointment, skin is cleansed with an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol, and a sterile tool or file is used to debride layers of thickened skin. Once callus is reduced, relief is often felt right away. Patients with diabetes typically seek skin and nail care at BioPed every 6-8 weeks.

Come see us!

We also carry an assortment of foot care products to use at home so you can feel more comfortable and keep calluses under control in between your Medical Footcare appointments. Using a foot file in combination with a moisturizer, containing the active ingredient urea, will help to maintain the health of the skin on the bottom of your feet. Give BioPed Footcare a call today, or book an appointment online, to learn how we can help you achieve healthier foot skin and toenails, and prevent a wound!

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Hammertoe and mallet toe: symptoms, causes and treatment

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 11:44:19 +0000

Our toes play an important role in our posture and balance, supporting body weight, and propulsing our body forward when we walk. 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.

Our feet are a complex part of our body with dozens of bones, ligaments and muscles. The body’s muscles have an agonistic and an antagonistic action. In other words, for active movement to occur in our body, one muscle pulls in one direction, and another pulls in the opposite direction. When it comes to our toes, this creates movement such as flexion and extension. If the muscles attached to the toes are unbalanced and one pulls more than the other, a toe deformity can occur.

What are hammertoes & mallet toes?

A hammertoe describes any toe that is bent at the first “knuckle” or joint from the base of the toe, causing the tip of the toe to make contact with the ground, instead of the padded, pulpy underside. A hammertoe can develop on any toe on the foot, but most commonly affects the second toe. A mallet toe is one which is bent at the second joint from the base of the toe. Just like a hammertoe, the tip of the toe will be subjected to pressure and friction from the ground. Pressure and friction can cause calluses or corns and subsequent pain and discomfort on the tip of the toe and / or on the top of the toe joint. Toenails are also at risk of injury and damage, which can lead to thickening or ingrown toenails.

What causes hammertoes & mallet toes?

Hammertoes and mallet toes can be caused by genetics, toe injury, ill-fitting footwear, or an issue with how the foot moves when walking. If there is an issue in the lower body mechanics, the muscles around the toes may become unbalanced as they compensate due to instability in the foot.

What can help hammertoes & mallet toes?

Toe deformities are mobile and can be moved and straightened when they first develop. Over time, joints may develop arthritis and stiffen, becoming rigid and fixed in a bent position. When toes are mobile, toe props can be worn to help “prop up” the tips of the toes and reduce contact with the ground. Toe props are typically made of silicone and are available off-the-shelf or can be custom made. A custom made toe prop is a functional device that can help straighten the toes when standing and walking. This device will offload the pressure and friction on the tips of the toes and reduce the likelihood of painful callus, corns and wounds. Silicone toe sleeves can be worn over the toe to protect the skin over a bent joint. Sleeves provide a buffer between the skin and footwear, reducing friction and discomfort. Hammertoes and mallet toes can make finding comfortable footwear challenging. Footwear with an extra depth toe box will accommodate toe deformities and allow toes to move freely.

The lower limb clinicians at BioPed Footcare can help you find the right footwear that fits well and is suitable for your feet and toes. Custom foot orthotics are also effective at correcting issues in lower body mechanics that can lead to unwanted foot issues. If your skin or nails are bothersome, BioPed’s medical footcare clinicians can provide treatment and an array of solutions to help you do more in life!

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What are crossover toes and what can you do about them?

BioPed Footcare — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:48:47 +0000

Toes come in all shapes and sizes. They can vary in length and can even be bent, curly or crossed over another toe. A toe that crosses over another toe is not necessarily problematic, but it can be if it is ignored and left untreated.

Crossover toes & possible complications

Genetics play a big role in how our feet move and look. If your parents have a toe that crosses over another, you may be more predisposed to developing one at some point in your life. Crossover toes can also be caused by injury or trauma, flat feet, high arches, lower body mechanics, tight calf muscles or a more serious underlying medical issue such as rheumatoid arthritis. Crossover or overlapping toes are considered a toe deformity because they are not typical or “normal.”

Crossover toes that are flexible can still be straightened with supports and devices. Over time, they may become stiff or rigid which can lead to pain and discomfort. Complications caused by crossover or overlapping toes can include:

Callus and corns
Blisters
Difficulty finding footwear that fits well
Hammer toes
Metatarsalgia or pain on the ball of the foot
Toe wound +/- infection

The most common toes that may become crossed over are the second and baby toes. A bunion deformity in the big toe joint typically causes the big toe to deviate laterally or point towards the little toes. As the big toe deviates more and more, it will press up against the second toe which causes it to lift up out of the way. When this happens, the second toe may override the big toe. An overlapping baby toe is commonly seen in newborns and oftentimes will spontaneously correct with development and walking. It can also be treated early with buddy taping to the adjacent toe.

Treatment of crossover toes

Taping & splinting

A toe that is flexible can be moved and manipulated. Taping or splinting can be useful to help straighten the affected toe.

Toe spacers

Toe spacers made of foam or silicone act as a buffer between toes. They are beneficial as they protect the toes from excess pressure from being too close together.

Footwear

Shoes that have a deep toe box will allow more room for the toes and will accommodate toes that are crossed over. This will help alleviate any discomfort due to pressure and can prevent skin irritation, such as blisters and corns, from developing.

Orthotics

If the crossover toe is caused by a biomechanical issue such as flat feet or high arches, custom foot orthotics and off-the-shelf insoles can be effective in correcting the position of the foot and making walking more efficient, which can slow down the progression of this common toe deformity. They may also help reduce callus build-up.

Stretching

Tight calf muscles reduce the range of motion in our feet and ankles, which may change the way the foot moves when walking. Stretching increases flexibility, protects against injury and can also help custom foot orthotics work more effectively.

Surgery

Surgery may be required if pain and discomfort is severe and negatively impacts activities of daily living. It is also a more permanent solution for those who have developed a chronic wound from their crossover toes.

Pain and discomfort due to crossover toes may cause you to alter the way you walk, which can create other issues such as knee or hip pain. If you are experiencing any pain and discomfort because of a crossover or overlapping toe, give your local BioPed a call today to make an appointment with one of our lower limb clinicians to learn about what can be done or what you can do at home to feel more comfortable.

The post What are crossover toes and what can you do about them? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Dry Feet? BioPed Can Help

BioPed Footcare — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 14:05:54 +0000

Our skin, which is the largest organ in our body, is made up of over 60% water and its main function is protection. It is essentially a waterproof barrier that shields us from the elements in our environment, including from chemicals and microorganisms, such as bacteria. It regulates our body temperature and gives us a tactile sense, which is the ability to feel things, such as hot and cold temperatures. The skin consists of 3 layers. The epidermis is the layer we see on the surface and is the first layer. The dermis is in the middle and the hypodermis is the most inside layer.

As a protective barrier, our skin is at risk for developing an infection or condition. To help maintain the health of the skin, maintaining the moisture balance is key. Skin that is too dry or too moist becomes weak and its integrity may be compromised, making it more susceptible to cracks and injury. Colder temperatures air has less humidity and therefore skin will lose more moisture. As winter quickly approaches in Canada, it is important to know how to better care for your skin.

Dry skin is also known as xerosis and can be rough, scaly, flaky and often feels tight or itchy. Dry skin on our feet can be particularly problematic because of the large amount of pressure and stress they endure as we walk and run. The bottoms of the feet and heels are prone to developing thickened skin due to pressure, which can easily crack open if the skin is too dry. A crack in the skin is a breach of our protective barrier. Bacteria and other microorganisms can easily enter even the tiniest crack and may cause an infection that can threaten our overall health.

Dry skin left untreated may lead to problems

If your skin has painful cracks, open sores that just won’t heal, scratches caused by itchiness or discoloration, it is best to seek the advice of a footcare clinician. BioPed has footcare clinicians who will assess your feet and skin, determine possible causes and provide treatment solutions. There could also be an underlying health issue that is causing your dry skin and together with your primary care professional, they can help get you back on the right track.

Healthier skin at home

Wash your feet daily using a mild soap.
Wash with warm water, not hot water, which can be too drying!
While the skin is still moist, apply a moisturizer that contains urea, an active ingredient that will soften the top layers of the skin.
Using a humidifier in your home will add moisture to the air especially during the winter months.
Eating a balanced diet will provide important vitamins and minerals that help keep skin healthy.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help increase skin’s moisture level.

These tips work best when done consistently and on a daily basis. Give your local BioPed a call today to learn about effective skin care products to use at home as part of your daily routine. We are here and ready to help you be your healthiest self!

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A Patient’s Story – Cracked Heels & Fissures

BioPed Footcare — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:48:19 +0000

At BioPed Footcare, people of all ages and all walks of life visit our clinic’s lower limb clinicians for help with foot and lower limb pain and discomfort. As a part of BioPed’s multidisciplinary team of Certified Pedorthists, Footcare Nurses and Registered Chiropodists, we enjoy providing footcare for new clients and for those they have known for years. By increasing comfort and function, we strive to improve the quality of life for all our clients.

One of our long standing clients called the clinic the other day to book an appointment to address pain in her left heel. When she arrived for her appointment, we anticipated the pain in her heel would be on the bottom of her foot and due to an issue such as plantar fasciitis. When we sat down together, it was clear that there was more callus than usual around both of her heels, but the left was considerably worse. Upon further inspection, we saw two cracks (also known as fissures) in her heel callus which were sore when we applied pressure.

This client has previously attended footcare appointments at BioPed every eight weeks for nail and skin care. The goal in footcare treatments is to ensure the nails and skin are as healthy as they can be when leaving and provide education on how to maintain foot health between appointments. Maintaining the integrity of the skin is vital as our skin is the largest organ in the body and its primary job is to protect everything underneath. The bottoms of our feet are extra durable to provide a thick barrier to endure friction and pressure from the ground when we walk. As long as the moisture balance of the skin is maintained, the skin is strong and resilient.

Skin that is too dry or too moist becomes weak, which can lead to cracks in this protective organ and risk of infection!

Our heels strike the ground with force. If our feet are supported with well-fitting footwear that is appropriate for the activity at hand, the heel will experience less pressure when striking the ground during walking or running.

We performed a routine footcare treatment that day, during which we removed the thick callus around her heel and carefully worked around the sore cracks, which was open at the base and was bleeding slightly. I knew we needed to make the skin on the heels more supple and soft in order to allow the crack to close and heal well. At the end of the treatment, we applied an antibacterial cream on the open crack and a dressing over top to protect from infection and facilitate the healing process. The patient was advised to wash their feet daily and apply a skin softening cream afterwards, while the skin was still moist to maximize absorption into the top layers of the skin.

We discovered that this client had developed the pain soon after starting a new running program for exercise

A biomechanical and gait assessment was conducted and we noted a heavy heel strike and an increased amount of pronation or arch flattening. When this happens, the heel moves around or rotates too much causing excess stress on the heel and the rest of the foot. We decided to make this client a custom foot orthotic to provide needed arch support and also control the amount of movement in the foot when walking. This provides stabilization and lessens the stress on the foot overall.

New shoes! This client was in need of properly fitting footwear designed for her new found passion, running. We fitted her for new shoes and when her custom foot orthotics were ready the following week, we made sure everything was comfortable and functional.

Within three weeks, her heels were completely healed and the texture of her skin was drastically improved. She was no longer suffering with discomfort and was making serious gains in her fitness and well-being. This is music to our ears! It is important to remember that dry heels and unsupportive footwear or walking barefoot are a recipe for disaster when it comes to the health of our skin and feet.

At BioPed, our lower limb clinicians will provide thorough assessments and make recommendations for treatment for your individual needs. Give us a call today to book an appointment today!

If you are suffering from heel pain or any other type of lower body pain, call BioPed Footcare today to make an appointment to discuss treatment options designed specifically for you to help you do more in life!

The post A Patient’s Story – Cracked Heels & Fissures appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Corns & Calluses – How Can Orthotics Help?

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:48:12 +0000

Corns and calluses are common and can be painful if left untreated. BioPed footcare clinicians treat corns and calluses during routine footcare appointments.

We are frequently asked what the difference between a corn and a callus is, if they can be permanently removed and is treatment painful?

Let’s explore the cause of corns and calluses and what can be done to help.

What is the difference between a corn & callus?

Corns and calluses are both thickened areas or hyperkeratosis, in the first layer of the skin. When there is repetitive pressure or friction on the skin, the body attempts to create a protective layer by thickening the skin. Calluses are caused by a shearing force or when the foot and the ground move in opposite directions. Corns form when there is a torsional or rotational force during movement, walking or running. Corns can occur on the bottom of the foot but are also commonly found on the tops of or in between the toes. Calluses usually appear on the bottom or sole of the foot and around the heels. Both can be painful, but because corns are a more concentrated or circumscribed area of a callus, they tend to be more painful. This circular formation creates a pinpoint or localized area of thickened skin which has the sensation of wearing a stiletto high heel versus a running shoe.

It is best to seek help from a footcare clinician for an assessment and treatment as opposed to trying to solve the issue yourself. These clinicians will take a medical history, conduct an exam of your feet, inspect your shoes to make sure they are appropriate and may even watch how you walk. Both Registered Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can remove corns and calluses during a clinic appointment. After the skin is cleansed with an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol, a sterile scalpel blade or file is typically used to remove layer by layer of thickened skin. Once the area of thickened skin is removed or reduced, relief is often felt right away. Over-the-counter medicated corn pads can be dangerous to use as they contain a medicine called salicylic acid which can damage healthy skin as well as thickened skin.

As mentioned above, corns and calluses can also be caused by the way a person walks. Seeing a BioPed lower limb clinician such as a Certified Canadian Pedorthist or a Registered Chiropodist for a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis can help determine the cause of these painful lesions. Unless the cause of these lesions is treated, corns and calluses will continue to build-up. Custom foot orthotics, a change in footwear or even something as simple as wearing a protective toe sleeve to reduce pain and discomfort may be recommended. Custom foot orthotics help to correct lower body mechanics and off-load high pressure areas on the feet. They will also improve balance and make walking more efficient. When placed inside appropriate and well-fitting footwear, custom foot orthotics are successful in increasing comfort and reducing the severity of corns and calluses.

BioPed clinics also have footcare products to increase comfort and keep corns and calluses at bay in between footcare appointments. Using a foot file in combination with a moisturizer is effective in maintaining the health of the skin.

Get footlogix callus softner & file (kit)

Explore more footcare products!

Also, important to note, plantar warts can have a similar appearance to corns. To treat a lesion successfully, you need to know what it is. Make an appointment at your local BioPed clinic today to find out what can be done to increase your comfort so you can do more in life!

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A Patient’s Story – Treating Plantar Fasciitis

BioPed Footcare — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 16:10:29 +0000

A few weeks ago, a new client to one of our BioPed clinics called to book an appointment as they were suffering with pain and discomfort in both of their heels. At the start of their assessment, we sat down together and heard about their new passion for getting into shape and achieving a more healthy body weight. This passion drove them to get outside and get going hard and fast! Unfortunately, exercising and training that is not done gradually and in increments can cause unexpected and unwanted injury.

This client was so eager to get started, they dug out a pair of old running shoes last worn almost a decade ago. They felt comfortable at first while walking around the house, but after a week of running on concrete neighbourhood sidewalks, their heel pain became increasingly worse. When questioned, they indicated the pain was worse when they first got out of bed in the morning, with the pain easing up slightly as the day progressed. When they booked this appointment, they were asked to bring in the running shoes they had been wearing. At first glance we noticed these shoes were worn out and had lost their integrity, including the support and cushioning they may have had at one point years ago.

Heel pain is one of the most common foot complaints we treat in our BioPed clinics. Plantar fasciitis is often the culprit of heel pain and can result for a variety of reasons including a sudden increase in activity level, new or overused footwear, transitioning from indoor to outdoor training or recent weight gain. It is usually concentrated on the bottom centre of the heel where the plantar fascia inserts onto the heel bone. The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that is attached to the bottom of the heel bone and extends to the toes. It acts as a truss or support for the arch and foot. If left untreated, a bone spur on the heel may develop over time.

During an appointment like this, a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis are always conducted in order to figure out what is going on in a person’s lower body mechanics and how we can help them heal and perform better. This particular client had a higher than normal arch and when they walked we noticed a heavy heel strike. Naturally this client was guarded when walking that day during their assessment as their heels were sore with every single step.

How did we address this heel pain?

The pain this client experienced was caused by inflammation. R.I.C.E is a well-known combination of rest, ice, compression and elevation. The first recommendation we made was taking a rest from running to prevent further trauma to the insertion site of the plantar fascia. We also advised this client to apply ice or cold therapy directly to the heel. Inflammation causes an increase in temperature therefore ice and cold counteract. Freezing a water bottle and rolling it under the heel will deliver cold therapy and massage at the same time. Massage balls can be purchased at all BioPed clinics and are effective in breaking up scar tissue that may have formed with the inflammatory process. The Orthosleeve FS6 helps ease and reduce swelling with 6 zones of compression to increase circulation and reduce inflammation. If done properly, stretching can also be helpful to increase flexibility and keep the soft tissue supple which can help heal an injury and prevent a new one from forming.

his client of ours had reduced shock absorption when walking and running and we decided to prescribe and make them custom foot orthotics (CFOs). We designed their CFOs to help control the amount of rotation in their heels and add needed shock absorption in the lower body. Our overall goal was reducing the strain on the plantar fascia. The importance of properly fitted and activity-specific footwear must never be underestimated. It is vital to remember that not all shoes are created equal! Our client’s running shoes were worn out and not benefiting them whatsoever. Not only did we fit them for a new pair of running shoes with cushioning and stability features suitable for their fitness journey, we also recommended wearing an indoor pair of shoes or sandals with a moulded footbed around their home. Suffering with an acute episode of plantar fasciitis like our client was, it was imperative to have supportive footwear with a stable platform under their feet at all times. At BioPed, we have many options to choose from and will always take the time to find the best fit for you!

After a week of R.I.C.E and wearing supportive footwear at all times, our client’s pain started to dissipate. After sufficient healing was well underway, we gave the go ahead to start running again wearing their new CFO and running shoe combination. We discussed guidelines for training and how to do so safely to avoid re-injury and downtime.

If you’ve tried all the aforementioned treatments and are still suffering with plantar fasciitis, a cortisone injection could help. This injection delivers an anti-inflammatory steroid directly to the site which ensures the medicine will work where it needs to work. There are minor risks with a treatment like this such as infection, numbness and fascial rupture. Most importantly, always remember pain is not normal. If you are suffering with heel pain, book an appointment at your local BioPed with one of our lower limb clinicians today to determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment(s) for you!

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A Patient’s Story – Big Toe Joint Pain

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:05:35 +0000

In walks a client suffering from pain in their big toe joint…

As a Registered Chiropodist, I recall a particular client who arrived to see me because of pain in their right big toe joint. This pain did not occur suddenly, it progressively worsened over a couple years. When they arrived for their initial assessment, they were unable to walk without pain and because of this, tried to put more weight onto the left foot. When they sat down in the clinic room chair, we had a chat about their medical history and their foot pain. After examining both feet, I noticed a significant bump on the side of the right big toe and a callus on the bottom.

This bump or bony prominence on the side of the big toe joint is called a bunion. Bunions develop over time as the joint becomes misaligned and it is common for osteoarthritis to occur. Osteoarthritis is painful because of joint degeneration. As a result, it will eventually limit the joint’s range of motion and its ability to move when walking. A callus is hardened and thickened skin that results from the way the foot moves in relation to the ground. It can also be painful as it is a focused area of pressure.

In order to determine how best to address my client’s pain and discomfort, I performed a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis after performing routine footcare. I noticed a flattened arch on both feet but more on the right. The arch flattens when excess pronation or “rolling in” occurs. Consequently, there was quite a bit of pressure placed on the big toe joint. I often consult with my Certified Pedorthist team member for her opinion and together that day, we decided custom foot orthotics would provide needed arch support, help redistribute pressure on the bottom of the foot and improve balance when walking.

We also felt this client’s footwear could be improved. Some footwear is designed with a rocker bottom sole to encourage momentum forward thereby offloading the pressure on and movement in the big toe joint. Increased stability and control of pronation also help to relieve pain and discomfort in the foot and lower body.

In order to make walking more efficient and balanced for this client, I recommended regular routine footcare, custom foot orthotics, and appropriate footwear. Custom foot orthotics often require a break-in or adjustment period, but for this particular client, their pain started to improve with their first steps. Their big toe joint pain dissipated quickly to be mild and under control and the need to put more weight on the opposite side decreased as they felt relief with this new combination.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is irreversible once it has developed, but it can be managed well with the modalities mentioned above.

If you are suffering from joint pain or any other type of lower body pain, call BioPed Footcare today to make an appointment to discuss treatment options designed specifically for you to help you do more in life!

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