A lifetime of wearing high heels can do more than make your legs appear longer and your clothes look better. They also can cause pressure, pain, and deformities to the feet. Most high-heeled shoes have pointy toe boxes which crunch the toes together. Add in a heel height of between 4 and 6 inches and the pressure that is put onto the ball of the foot multiplies. In addition, walking on high heels pulls the body out of alignment and forces the weight forward onto the already compromised metatarsals. The result may be metatarsalgia, an inflammation of the ball of the foot. The shape of the toe box itself can affect the big toe bone and lead to the formation of a bunion. It can also cause the middle joint of the second toe to curl unnaturally at the middle, forming a hammertoe. Other conditions that may result from long-term wearing of high heels are Achilles tendinopathy, Morton’s neuroma, stress fractures, and ankle pain. Wearing lower-heel shoes, or at least limiting the amount of walking or standing still in high heels, can help. For help with any painful foot problems that may have developed from wearing high heels, please consult a chiropodist.

High heels have been in style for centuries, but unfortunately, they have also been damaging feet for centuries. If you would like to learn more about how high heels can hurt your feet, 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. 

High heels can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Foot and ankle pain
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Toe pain and deformities
• Gait abnormalities
• Achilles tendonitis
• Changes in posture
• Difficulty balancing
• Leg, hip, and back pain

If you are reluctant to abandon your high heels, you can still wear them, but should take measures to minimize damage to your feet: 

• Wear shoes with heels no higher than 2 inches
• Choose properly fitted shoes
• Choose shoes with a wide toe box
• Wear high heels infrequently
• When wearing high heels, take them off periodically to stretch and relax your feet 

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

Achilles tendonitis is a common sports injury that can affect many different athletes, especially runners. That is because the Achilles tendon is necessary for running, walking, elevating the toes, and jumping. When the Achilles tendon is overly engaged, it can become damaged, thick, inflamed, and painful, creating the condition known as Achilles tendonitis. Pain from Achilles tendonitis usually presents above the heel bone (at the back of the ankle) which is where the tendon inserts, connecting it with the calf muscles. The pain can worsen after running for prolonged periods, or when climbing stairs, or sprinting. A chiropodist can offer relief from Achilles tendonitis using various methods. Some of these treatments may include resting from activity, wearing specific footwear or orthotics to ease pressure on the tendon, doing certain stretches when the tendon is beginning to heal, and using non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and ease pain.

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, 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. 

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 Toronto, ON . 

When your entire foot touches the floor as you stand, you probably have flat feet, also known as pes planus. The arches of the feet usually develop during childhood. However, after years of running and standing, the tendon that supports the arch of the foot can become weak, causing the arch to collapse. There is not much you can do to prevent flat feet, but there are some ways to make them less of a problem. Because having flat feet can change the way you stand and walk, other parts of your foot, as well as ankles, knees and hips, may be affected. Keeping to a healthy body weight can lessen some of these side effects. Wearing proper shoes that support the arch, as well as cushion the heel is important. They also should have soles that prevent the foot from rolling inward when you take a step. Custom orthotics or arch supports can help to correct your posture and gait. If you need more information on ways to deal with flat feet, please make an appointment with a chiropodist for a full exam and evaluation of options.

Flat feet are a common foot condition. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to flat 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. 

What Are Flat Feet? 

Flat feet are feet that do not have a well-defined arch in the middle of the sole of the foot. Flat feet may be flexible or rigid. Flexible flat feet have an arch when there is no pressure put on the foot, such as when one is sitting, but the arch disappears upon standing. Rigid flat feet lack an arch regardless of whether one is standing or not. 

Causes

Flat feet can be present from birth or acquired over time due to a weakening of the ligaments in the arch. Sometimes flat feet are caused by illnesses, injuries, or pregnancy. 

Symptoms

Flat feet often cause no noticeable symptoms. However, some people may experience pain and discomfort due to their flat feet. 

Symptoms associated with flat feet include:

• Pain in the arch, heel, ankle, or along the outside of the foot
• Overpronation of the foot
• Shin splints
• Aching or fatigue in the feet or legs
• Pain in the knees, hips, or lower back

Treatment 

In cases where flat feet cause symptoms, there are various treatments available. Wearing orthotic inserts in your shoes to provide more arch support, performing stretches, and taking medications may improve your symptoms. If you are overweight, losing weight can help relieve pressure on the feet. In severe cases, surgery may be considered. 

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

If you have insufficient levels of magnesium or potassium in your body, wear shoes that are too tight, are overweight, or have high blood pressure, you may be at risk of developing nocturnal foot cramps. There are many other causes—both medical conditions and lifestyle factors—that may be responsible for these annoying cramps which can rob you of the restorative sleep you need to stay healthy and active. Nocturnal foot cramps are actually muscle or muscle fiber contractions, and are not to be confused with restless leg syndrome (RLS) which causes bothersome sensations and involuntary urges to move your legs. Nocturnal foot cramps can sometimes respond to stretching, massaging, exercising, orthotics, and changes in footwear. If you are waking up throughout the night with cramps in your feet, make an appointment with a chiropodist who can assess your situation and come up with a plan to help you get a good night’s sleep.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, 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. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures
• Sinus tarsi syndrome
• Extensor tendonitis
• Tibialis anterior tendonitis
• Gout
• Athlete’s foot
• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Foot cramps
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fibromatosis
• Posterior tibial tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain
• Cuboid syndrome
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Bunions
• Corns or calluses
• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bone spurs
• Heel fractures
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout
• Hammertoe
• Turf toe
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON .