Louise Morgan Chiropody

Louise Morgan Chiropody - Treatments

| Ingrown Tow Nail | Arch Suport | Foot Corns and Callus | Arch Pain | Gout | Bunions |

Ingrown Toe Nail

An ingrown toe nail occurs when part of the nail penetrates the skin - this can cause an infection. Usually the side of the nail penetrates deep and it is difficult to see the edge of the nail. In some, the nail appears deeply embedded down the side or sides of the nail and others, some of the corner or a small spike of the nail may penetrate the skin, just like a knife. This can result in an infection and the developmet of proud flesh (granulation tissue).

Poor cutting of the nail is most commonly blamed as being the cause of an ingrown toe nail, but this is not always the case. The primary risk factor is the shape of the nail - a nail that is more curved from side to side rather than being flat is more likley to become an ingrown nail (incurved nails).

**Ingrown Toe Nail**
	An ingrown toe nail occurs when part of the nail penetrates the skin - this can cause an infection. Usually the side of the nail penetrates deep and it is difficult to see the edge of the nail. In some, the nail appears deeply embedded down the side or sides of the nail and others, some of the corner or a small spike of the nail may penetrate the skin, just like a knife. This can result in an infection and the developmet of proud flesh (granulation tissue). Poor cutting of the nail is most commonly blamed as being the cause of an ingrown toe nail, but this is not always the case. The primary risk factor is the shape of the nail - a nail that is more curved from side to side rather than being flat is more likley to become an ingrown nail (incurved nails).

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Arch Support

The height of the arch is not necessarily a problem - it is how the foot functions that can be the problem. There are a lot of people with high and low arches that never have problems. If the foot is proated (which lowers the arch, by rolling in at the ankles), there can be problems. There are a wide range of underlying causes for the arch lowering such as the foot pronating (there is not really such a thing as a "fallen arch" in the medical literature now). Too much emphasis gets on the static height of the arch and not enough on how the foot may function during walking and running

The arches are quite capable of supporting themselves if they are given help. Devices such as foot orthotics are used to alter foot function, so the foot can restore its own arch. The foots own arch support mechanism is often called the windlass mechanism. The idea of foot orthotics, which may look like good old fashioned arch supports, is to facilitate this mechanism. Foot orthotics are not an expensive name for arch supports. The use of foot orthotics is the mainstay of the treatment of what some consider to ba "fallen arches". Not all foot orthotics are considered equal and there are as many different varibales that can go into them sa there are feet, hence the importance of a proper diagnosis. Foot orthotics (or "arch supports") will only help if the symptoms are due to abnormal function (or "fallen arches"). Not everyone with a problem needs a foot ortotic.

**Arch Support**
	The height of the arch is not necessarily a problem - it is how the foot functions that can be the problem. There are a lot of people with high and low arches that never have problems. If the foot is proated (which lowers the arch, by rolling in at the ankles), there can be problems. There are a wide range of underlying causes for the arch lowering such as the foot pronating (there is not really such a thing as a "fallen arch" in the medical literature now). Too much emphasis gets on the static height of the arch and not enough on how the foot may function during walking and running The arches are quite capable of supporting themselves if they are given help. Devices such as foot orthotics are used to alter foot function, so the foot can restore its own arch. The foots own arch support mechanism is often called the windlass mechanism. The idea of foot orthotics, which may look like good old fashioned arch supports, is to facilitate this mechanism. Foot orthotics are not an expensive name for arch supports. The use of foot orthotics is the mainstay of the treatment of what some consider to ba "fallen arches". Not all foot orthotics are considered equal and there are as many different varibales that can go into them sa there are feet, hence the importance of a proper diagnosis. Foot orthotics (or "arch supports") will only help if the symptoms are due to abnormal function (or "fallen arches"). Not everyone with a problem needs a foot ortotic.

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Foot Corns and Callus

Corns and callus are a commonproblems seen by Podiatrists. A Callus is a more difuse thickening of the skin (more common on the toes, but can occur under the ball of the foot) whereas a corn is a thicker more focal area (more common on the toes). A corn can occur under and be surroundes by callus.

A corn or callus are areas of thickend skin that occur in areas of presure. They are actually a normal amd natural way for the bod to protect itself. In thew foot, the skin will thicken up to protect itself when there are areas of high presure. The problem occurs when the pressure continues, so the skin gets thicker. It eventuaaly becomes painful and is treated as somthing foreign by the bodyl.Corns and calus are caused by one thing - TOO MUCH PRESURE, usually in combination with some friction. There is no other way to get them - the presure stimulate the skin to thicken to protect itself, but as the stimulation of the pressure continues, it becomes painful.

Remidies such as corn pain, cure or plasters will generally only treat the symptom of the corn and not the problem that causes it. The use of "corn plasteres" in those who are at risk or have frail skin are very likely to cause an ulcer (a breakdown of the skin) which could become infected and if the circulation is poor, an amputaion is a possibility. Cutting corns and calluses yourself (bathroom surgery) is not without its dangers, especially if you cut yourself. In the warm and moist enviroment of enclosed shoes, infection can easily develop into a serious wound.

**Foot Corns and Callus**
	Corns and callus are a commonproblems seen by Podiatrists. A Callus is a more difuse thickening of the skin (more common on the toes, but can occur under the ball of the foot) whereas a corn is a thicker more focal area (more common on the toes). A corn can occur under and be surroundes by callus. A corn or callus are areas of thickend skin that occur in areas of presure. They are actually a normal amd natural way for the bod to protect itself. In thew foot, the skin will thicken up to protect itself when there are areas of high presure. The problem occurs when the pressure continues, so the skin gets thicker. It eventuaaly becomes painful and is treated as somthing foreign by the bodyl.Corns and calus are caused by one thing - TOO MUCH PRESURE, usually in combination with some friction. There is no other way to get them - the presure stimulate the skin to thicken to protect itself, but as the stimulation of the pressure continues, it becomes painful. Remidies such as corn pain, cure or plasters will generally only treat the symptom of the corn and not the problem that causes it. The use of "corn plasteres" in those who are at risk or have frail skin are very likely to cause an ulcer (a breakdown of the skin) which could become infected and if the circulation is poor, an amputaion is a possibility. Cutting corns and calluses yourself (bathroom surgery) is not without its dangers, especially if you cut yourself. In the warm and moist enviroment of enclosed shoes, infection can easily develop into a serious wound.

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Arch Pain

Pain in the arch is common. It is often felt as a burning sesation under the long arch of the foot. There are a number of causes of this, But most common is plantar fascilitis but can also due to the strain of any structure in the arch of the foot.

An accute diagnosis from a health professional is important early in the management of arch pain.

If the symptoms are mild/ management will generally just consist of advice about fitting footwear, stretching exercices for the calf muscles and arch and if indicated, the use of foot orthotics.

If the symptoms are most severe, tape can be used to retrict motion and support the arch; anti-inflammatory medication can be used to give some relief. Orthotics are usually indicated.

If there is no inital response to treatment, further investigations may be necessary to check for conditions as arthritis or a pinched nerve.

**Arch Pain**
	Pain in the arch is common. It is often felt as a burning sesation under the long arch of the foot. There are a number of causes of this, But most common is plantar fascilitis but can also due to the strain of any structure in the arch of the foot. An accute diagnosis from a health professional is important early in the management of arch pain. If the symptoms are mild/ management will generally just consist of advice about fitting footwear, stretching exercices for the calf muscles and arch and if indicated, the use of foot orthotics. If the symptoms are most severe, tape can be used to retrict motion and support the arch; anti-inflammatory medication can be used to give some relief. Orthotics are usually indicated. If there is no inital response to treatment, further investigations may be necessary to check for conditions as arthritis or a pinched nerve.

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Gout

Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis pf imflammation of a joint. It most commonly affect the big toe (first meatatarsophalangeal joint), but an affect any joint. Gout usually starts as an acute attack that often comes on overnight. Within 12-24 hours ther is usually a severe pain and swelling in the joint.

Gout usually affects only affects one joint at a time (somtimes two) - most often the feet and ankles. The joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site. If there is no treatment the gout attack usually subsides in a week or so. Ater the first attack there may be intervals of many months or even years before there are other attacks.

**Gout**
	Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis pf imflammation of a joint. It most commonly affect the big toe (first meatatarsophalangeal joint), but an affect any joint. Gout usually starts as an acute attack that often comes on overnight. Within 12-24 hours ther is usually a severe pain and swelling in the joint. Gout usually affects only affects one joint at a time (somtimes two) - most often the feet and ankles. The joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site. If there is no treatment the gout attack usually subsides in a week or so. Ater the first attack there may be intervals of many months or even years before there are other attacks.

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Bunions

A bunion an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the big toe - (specifically, the first metatarsolphalangeal joint). Bunions from when the toe moves out of place. As the big toe bends towards the others this lump becomes larger and the bunions can become painful. Hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus (HAV) is the name used for the deviated position of the big toe and a bunion refers to the enlargement of the joint - most of the time the two go together and can just be refered to as 'bunions'.

**Bunions**
	A bunion an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the big toe - (specifically, the first metatarsolphalangeal joint). Bunions from when the toe moves out of place. As the big toe bends towards the others this lump becomes larger and the bunions can become painful. Hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus (HAV) is the name used for the deviated position of the big toe and a bunion refers to the enlargement of the joint - most of the time the two go together and can just be refered to as 'bunions'.