Arthritis is a painful disease that affects joints in the body. There are several kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and gout. Gout occurs when the body fails to fully expel uric acid from the body as it processes purines. This excess uric acid forms into hard crystals that accumulate in joints, most commonly in the joint at the base of the big toe. Diet, heredity, certain medical conditions, and other factors can make a person more prone to developing gout. Some believe that there may be an association between gout, OA, RA, and PsA in certain cases. This is because these conditions compromise joints, and make them vulnerable to other forms of arthritis. If you have any pain in the joints of your feet or ankles, contact a chiropodist for an examination. Once they make a diagnosis of your condition, an appropriate treatment plan can be devised and implemented.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can affect anyone. Please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Gout?

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid crystallizes in a joint, often the joint of the big toe, it can bring about a gout attack. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of gout include: 

• Sudden and severe pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Joint stiffness
• Joint deformity

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will ask questions about your personal and family medical history, followed by an examination of the affected joint. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout. A sample of fluid taken from your joint can show whether it contains uric acid. 

Treatment

Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling, and inflammation. Patients with chronic gout can also use behavioral modifications such as diet, exercise, and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of gout attacks. Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid. If left untreated, this painful condition can leave your joint permanently damaged and swollen.  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

Getting injured while playing sports is not unusual, and according to research, about one-fourth of those injuries occur in the foot. Further, the type of sport you play has a direct effect on the likelihood of getting hurt. Sports that involve running and jumping, especially on hard surfaces, increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries. The most common sports-related injuries, brought on mainly by overuse or repetitive actions, are plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, foot stress fractures, and Achilles tendonitis. Plantar fasciitis, common to runners, occurs when the band of tissue on the sole of the foot becomes inflamed and tears. Heel spurs, often linked to plantar fasciitis, occur as calcium deposits develop on the bottom of the heel bone. Foot stress fractures are tiny cracks in the foot bones that can result from repeated pounding. They are common in basketball, tennis and soccer players, as well as dancers and gymnasts. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel to the calf. It is common in sports that call for a lot of running and jumping. If you are active in sports, it is a good idea to develop an ongoing relationship with a chiropodist who can treat any foot and ankle injuries you may sustain.  

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Injuries Among Athletes: 

• Achilles tendon injuries
• Ankle strains or sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Fractures
• Turf toe
• Joint dislocations
• Sever’s disease
• Morton’s neuroma

Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the cause and severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a foot or ankle injury include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, a reduced range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight or walking on the affected foot or ankle. 

Diagnosis

Sports injuries are typically diagnosed after carefully examining the affected foot or ankle. This includes moving the injured area to test its range of motion. Medical history will need to be provided, as well as detailed information about how the injury occurred. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Just like symptoms, treatment will depend on the type of injury and its severity. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E is a helpful guide to implement for most acute injuries. This method involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot or ankle. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered and orthotic devices may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, surgery may be required. Lastly, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

An ingrown toenail, or onychocryptosis, happens when the side of a toenail burrows into the skin along the nail bed. This most commonly affects the big toe and can be painful, red, and swollen when it happens. Ingrown toenails often occur from cutting toenails incorrectly, wearing shoes that are too tight, having a fungal infection, or having abnormally shaped toenails. If this is left untreated, discharge or pus can drain from the site and a bacterial infection may develop and lead to serious complications. Wearing properly fitted shoes, with enough room in the toe box so the toes do not rub against them, is recommended for healing, comfort, and preventing this problem.  If you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, you can soak your foot in warm water, which might soften the nail so that it can be lifted from the skin. However, it is suggested that you seek help from a chiropodist who can make sure the ingrown nail is handled properly and you are treated with any medication warranted.

Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. 

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .