Obesity affects every part of your body, including the feet. Since the feet bear the weight of the entire body as you go about your day, it’s not surprising that carrying excess weight can strain the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints of the feet. Having a high BMI is associated with an increased risk of arthritis, tendonitis, and heel pain due to wear and tear on the feet. Obese people are also more likely to develop diabetes, a systemic condition that can also damage foot health. Losing weight can decrease your risk of developing these problems. Your chiropodist can help you find the right shoes, recommend foot and ankle exercises, and prescribe orthotics to help you maintain your mobility and keep your lower limbs healthy. 

Being obese affects every part of your body, and your feet are no exception. Because they bear the full weight of your body as you go about your daily life, your feet are under a lot of pressure. Carrying excess weight can strain the feet and cause a variety of unpleasant side effects. If you are obese and concerned about your foot health, please consult with Emily Yu, B.Sc from Uptown Foot Care Clinic. Our specialist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Obesity can:

• Cause foot pain
• Increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries
• Reduce mobility
• Make the feet wider
• Flatten the arch
• Make gout more likely
• Make arthritis more likely
• Increase the risk of diabetes

Your chiropodist may suggest lifestyle changes to address foot and ankle problems that are caused by or affected by obesity. These may include changes to your diet, exercise, and footwear, as well as wearing orthotics. The treatments for specific injuries or health problems will vary depending on what they are, but weight loss is often suggested to decrease strain on the feet. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

Poor circulation in the lower limbs can be a serious cause for concern. When blood flow to the feet and ankles is reduced, the oxygen and nutrients that keep the lower limbs healthy can’t get to where they need to go. This can cause symptoms such as coldness, numbness, discoloration, and pain in the feet and ankles. The skin may become cracked and dry, and wounds that heal slowly and poorly are more likely to form on the feet. Poor circulation is almost always caused by an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease. Your chiropodist can perform quick and non-invasive screenings to determine if you have poor circulation. For more information about keeping your feet and ankles healthy, please consult with a chiropodist. 

When blood flow to a specific part of the body is reduced, you may experience symptoms of poor circulation. Poor circulation is most common in your extremities, like your legs and feet. Please consult with Emily Yu, B.Sc from Uptown Foot Care Clinic. Our specialist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

Poor circulation isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, it results from other health issues. Therefore, it’s important to treat the underlying causes:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Diabetes
• Blood clots
• Varicose veins
• Obesity
• Raynaud’s disease 

Symptoms

Symptoms of poor circulation may include: 

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs
• Pain
• Muscle Cramps

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will perform a physical exam to detect pain and swelling, as well as an antibodies blood test to detect inflammatory conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease. It’s important to disclose any known family history of poor circulation and any related diseases. A blood sugar test, blood pressure test, ultrasound, or CT scan may also be performed.

Treatment

Treatments for poor circulation depend on what is causing it. Compression socks may be used to reduce pain and swelling. An exercise program may be recommended to improve circulation. Various medications may be prescribed to manage underlying conditions that may contribute to poor circulation.  

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

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a medical condition that causes poor circulation in the lower limbs. This is due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries which leads them to narrow and harden, thereby reducing blood flow. Many people with PAD do not have any symptoms, especially in the initial stages of the disease. Over time, symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue in the legs may develop. These symptoms may intensify particularly while walking or exercising. PAD is diagnosed through a physical examination, medical history, and non-invasive vascular testing. Treatment for this condition focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the risk for further complications, such as a heart attack or stroke. To learn more about PAD, please consult with a chiropodist near you. 

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that causes poor circulation in the lower limbs. If you have PAD, please consult with Emily Yu, B.Sc from Uptown Foot Care Clinic. Our specialist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

What is peripheral artery disease? 

Peripheral artery disease is characterized by reduced blood flow to the lower limbs. This occurs due to a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries. The plaque causes the arteries to become narrow and harden, which makes it difficult for blood to get to the lower limbs. Without adequate blood flow, the tissues of the legs, ankles, and feet do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly, which can lead to various symptoms as the condition progresses. Having poor circulation also increases your risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. 

Symptoms

In its initial stages, PAD is often asymptomatic. If symptoms do arise, they often include: 

• Muscle cramps
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Pain that gets worse with physical activity
• Balance problems
• Difficulty walking

Diagnosis

PAD can be diagnosed through a thorough physical examination, medical history, and vascular testing. There are many simple, non-invasive tests that your chiropodist can use to determine your risk of having PAD. These include the ankle-brachial index (ABI) test and Doppler ultrasounds. 

Treatment

Treatments for PAD focus on lifestyle changes and medication management to lessen symptoms and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Your chiropodist may suggest various foot and ankle exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of your feet and ankles, boost circulation, and improve mobility. They may also suggest routine visits to monitor and maintain the health of your feet since poor circulation can lead to a variety of foot and ankle complications. 

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

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle that contains arteries, veins, tendons, and nerves. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when one of these nerves, the posterior tibial nerve, is squeezed or compressed. This can occur due to an abnormal structure in the area such as a cyst or bone spur, an injury that causes inflammation such as an ankle sprain, or diseases like arthritis and diabetes. Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are an electric shock-like tingling or burning sensation on the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot, as well as numbness and shooting pain. Treatments for this condition include resting and icing the affected foot, taking oral medications to reduce pain and inflammation, bracing or immobilizing the foot, and wearing specialized shoes or orthotics devices. Left untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome may cause permanent nerve damage. If you have symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause pain and progress over time. If you are experiencing any symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, please consult with Emily Yu, B.Sc from Uptown Foot Care Clinic. Our specialist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the posterior tibial nerve, which is located within a structure called the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle, is squeezed. Compression of the posterior tibial nerve can be caused by injuries, such as ankle sprains, systemic diseases like diabetes or arthritis, strain on the tarsal tunnel due to flat feet, or an enlarged structure like a cyst squeezing the nerve. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear suddenly and are generally worsened by physical activity. 

Common symptoms include: 

• Tingling, burning, or electrical shock sensation on the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot
• Numbness
• Shooting pain 

Diagnosis

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed through physical examination. If initial treatment is ineffective, imaging or nerve studies may also be necessary. 

Treatment

Nonsurgical treatments for tarsal tunnel syndrome include resting and icing the foot, bracing or immobilizing the foot, wearing an orthotic device, modifying your footwear, and taking medications to relieve pain. Surgery may be needed if nonsurgical treatments are ineffective.  

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