Foot and Ankle Conditions

Drop foot
Difficulty lifting the part of the foot caused by injury to the muscles or nerves of the foot

Symptoms
  • Difficulty lifting the front part of the foot Sometimes accompanied by pain, weakness or numbness

Diagnosis
  • Physical examination
  • Medical history
  • MRI – creates a cross sectional view of the foot.
  • EMG - measure electrical activity in the muscles and nerves

Treatment
  • Splints
  • Physical therapy
  • Nerve stimulation
  • Surgery

Foot Ulcers
Open sores on the foot that will not heal or keep returning.

Symptoms
  • Open sore
  • May be painful
  • Burning, itching, or discolored dry skin

Diagnosis
  • Medical history
  • Physical exam

Treatment
  • Antibiotics
  • Individualized wound care plan

Fungal Nails
  • A progressive change in a toenail's quality and color.
  • An infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi.
  • Often results in thicker nails which can difficult to trim and may make walking painful when wearing shoes

Treatment
  • Varies depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
  • A daily routine of cleansing over a period of many months may suppress mild infections.
  • Topical and oral antifungal medications.
  • In severe cases, surgery to remove the nail.

Ingrown Toenails
  • Nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into skin.
  • Caused by improper nail trimming, pressure from shoes that are too small, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure.

Treatment
  • Trim toenails straight across to prevent problems.
  • Soak the foot in soapy water, apply antiseptic, and bandage.
  • Wear well-fitting shoes.

Warts
  • Caused by a virus that enters the skin through small cuts.
  • Most warts are harmless.
  • They can be caused by walking barefoot on dirty ground.
  • Warts may spread and are catchy. Have your warts evaluated to protect yourself and those close to you.
  • Warts tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and well-defined boundaries
  • Warts are generally raised and fleshier when they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes.
  • Warts are often gray or brown (but the color may vary), with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black

Treatment
  • Warts can be very resistant to treatment.
  • Warts also have a tendency to reoccur.
  • Over-the-counter and prescription topical acids.
    • Avoid self treatment because the acids will kill good and bad skin cells.
    • Especially if you have diabetes or circulation issues.
  • Laser or surgical removal.

Bunions
  • Enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe that forms a prominent at the outer edge where it joins the foot.
  • Forces the toe to bend toward the others, causing an pain.
  • Often results in misaligned toe joints that can become swollen and tender.
  • Bunions tend to run in families, but can be aggravated by tight shoes.
  • Common Foot Ailments

Symptoms
  • Development of a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot, at the base of the big toe.
  • Redness, swelling, or pain at or near the joint.
  • Corns or other irritations caused by the overlap of the first and second toes.
  • Restricted or painful motion of the big toe.

Treatment
  • Padding
  • Shoes with wide toe box
  • Orthotic devices
  • Surgery

Hammertoes
  • A hammertoe is a bending of the toe at the first joint of the digit.
  • The toes are bent like a claw.
  • The condition usually affects the second through fifth toes.
  • More common to females than males.

Symptoms
  • Pain upon pressure at the top of the bent toe from footwear.
  • The formation of corns on the top of the joint.
  • Redness and swelling at the joint contracture.
  • Restricted or painful motion of the toe joint.
  • Pain in the ball of the foot at the base of the affected toe.

Treatment
  • Use a hammertoe pad around the bony prominence to decrease pressure on the area.
  • Wear a shoe with a deep toe box.
  • Reduce swelling by applying ice.
  • Avoid heels.
  • Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow.
  • Surgery may be needed to realign toes.

Blisters
  • Caused by skin friction
  • A band-aid should be worn until the blister heals, and socks should be worn with shoes.
  • If the blister breaks, it should be washed, and an antiseptic and sterile bandage applied.
  • Blisters shouldn't be popped.

Corns and Calluses
  • Protective layers of dead skin cells.
  • Calluses appear on the soles of the feet, and corns appear on top of toes.
  • Caused by friction from skin rubbing and shoes.
  • Pain may be relieved by padding.
  • They should never be cut with an instrument.

Treatment
  • Although corns and calluses can be unsightly, you need treatment only if they cause discomfort.
  • For most people, eliminating the source of friction or pressure makes corns and calluses disappear.

Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar fascia — the tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes
  • Plantar Fasciitis: Stretching or tearing of the plantar fascia.
  • Results in stabbing or burning pain typically in the morning because the tissues tighten at night.

Treatment
  • Heel pads
  • Pain medicines
  • Cortisone injections
  • Physical therapy to learn exercises to stretch the plantar fascia
  • Surgery – Typically not necessary

Neuroma
  • Enlarged benign growths of nerves.
  • Also referred to as a “pinched nerve.”
  • Most common between the third and fourth toes. Caused by:
    • Bones rubbing against and irritating the nerves.
    • Abnormal bone structures.
    • A high-arched foot or a flat foot.
    • Pressure from poorly fitting shoes.

Symptoms
  • Pain between the toes.
  • Numbness between toes and in the ball of the foot.
  • Burning between the toes.

Treatment
  • Padding, taping and orthotic devices (custom shoe inserts).
  • Cortisone injections.
  • Surgical removal.

Heel Spurs
  • Development of an abnormal growth in the heel bone due to calcium deposits that form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel.
  • Cause:
    • Flat feet or a foot with an unusually high arch
    • A sudden increase in physical activity
    • Excessive weight on the foot
    • Improperly fitting shoes

Treatment
  • Exercises
  • Losing weight
  • Wearing shoes that have a cushioned heel that absorbs shock
  • Custom-made orthotics
  • Anti-inflammatory medication.

For more details on the Geauga Medical Center Foot and Ankle Center or for a physician referral please call 440-285-7757.