Onychomycosis – it’s a long and scary word – but it’s simply a common fungal infection of the nail. You may be at risk for this embarrassing and sometimes painful condition if you have diabetes or circulatory problems. You may also have a greater chance of fungal nail if you have had trauma to the […]
Author: Your Next Step
Pain in the Ball of the Foot May Be Metatarsalgia
If you have pain in the toes or the ball of your foot, especially when walking barefoot or during exercise, you may have metatarsalgia, a chronic inflammation condition. Each foot has 5 metatarsal bones that run from the ankle to the toes. Over time, because of repeated impact and pressure, these bones can become stressed […]
Individuals with Neuropathy Must Choose Footwear Carefully
If you or a family member suffers from neuropathy, one of the most important things you can do is to choose your footwear wisely. Neuropathy means nerve damage. The peripheral nervous system ranges all over the body and links the spinal cord and brain to the internal organs, skin, muscles and glands. Peripheral neuropathy causes […]
Charcot Foot: A Potentially Severe Joint Disease
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of various joint and bone disorders. Some problems that are associated with diabetes contribute to these conditions – for example, diabetic neuropathy and arterial disease. However, even in those with diabetes, often the cause isn’t so clear. Charcot Joint Begins with Nerve Damage A Charcot joint occurs when […]
Could the Pain in the Ball of Your Foot Be Sesamoiditis?
There are a few bones in your body that are not connected to other bones. Instead, they are connected only to tendons. These bones are called sesamoids and there are two in each foot. They are very small, pea-sized, and are located under the foot near the big toe. The sesamoids in the foot help […]
Keep Babies Barefoot for Proper Foot Development
We’ve seen it all – tiny and trendy infant shoes that look like leopard skin, Spiderman or even Dorothy’s ruby slippers. It’s tempting to grab them for the latest new arrival in your family, but don’t do it! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends shoes for babies only when they begin to walk. In fact, […]
Plantar Warts: See a Foot Doctor for Best Treatment
Plantar warts are growths that appear on the ball or heel of the foot. Because these areas of the foot receive the most pressure, the warts grow inward and often are covered by a callus on the skin’s surface. Plantar warts are caused by a virus that enters the body through a cut or weak […]
Nutrition Matters to Your Feet
When you prepare a meal or get a snack, you probably don’t think about your feet. But it’s true that nutrition and diet affect our feet as much as the rest of our body. Many foot diseases and conditions are caused by tissue inflammation. Often an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of […]
You Can Prevent Foot and Ankle Injuries
Did you know that, with an average of 7,500 steps each day, our feet and ankles will walk over 100,000 miles in our lifetime? That’s an incredible 4 times around the world! Our feet and ankles work hard for us and are often neglected. Avoiding injury to feet and ankles is extremely important. Keep reading […]
Foot Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings many physical and emotional changes to the mother-to-be. Carrying extra weight and pressure on the blood vessels of the legs and feet can cause serious problems to the feet. Because of the natural and healthy weight gain, your center of gravity changes to bring added pressure to the knees and feet. Your weight-bearing […]