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Edema

Edema

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs. Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues.

Venous Insufficiency / Varicose Vein

Venous Insufficiency / Varicose Vein

Your arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Your veins carry blood back to the heart, and valves in the veins stop the blood from flowing backward. When your veins have trouble sending blood from your limbs back to the heart, it’s known as venous insufficiency. In this condition, blood doesn’t flow back properly to the heart, causing blood to pool in the veins in your legs.

Raynaud's Phenomenon / Disease

Raynaud's Phenomenon / Disease

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. In some cases, it also causes less blood flow to the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose. This happens due to spasms of blood vessels in those areas. The spasms happen in response to cold, stress, or emotional upset. Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. There is no cure for Raynaud’s phenomenon, but it can be managed with proper treatment.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the affected area. Neuropathies frequently start in your hands and feet. Neuropathy results when nerve cells, called neurons, are damaged or destroyed. This disrupts the way the neurons communicate with each other and with the brain. Neuropathy can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy) or nerve type, a combination of nerves in a limited area (multifocal neuropathy) or many peripheral nerves throughout the body (polyneuropathy).

Ankle Equinus

Ankle Equinus

Equinus is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited. Someone with equinus lacks the flexibility to bring the top of the foot toward the front of the leg. Equinus can occur in one or both feet. When it involves both feet, the limitation of motion is sometimes worse in one foot than in the other. There are several possible causes for the limited range of ankle motion. Often, it is due to tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles (the soleus muscle and/or gastrocnemius muscle). In some patients, this tightness is congenital (present at birth), and sometimes it is an inherited trait. Other patients acquire the tightness from being in a cast, being on crutches or frequently wearing high-heeled shoes. In addition, diabetes can affect the fibers of the Achilles tendon and cause tightness. Sometimes equinus is related to a bone blocking the ankle motion. For example, a fragment of a broken bone following an ankle injury, or bone block, can get in the way and restrict motion. Equinus may also result from one leg being shorter than the other. Less often, equinus is caused by spasms in the calf muscle. 

Haglund's Deformity

Haglund's Deformity

Haglund's deformity is a bony bump that appears on the back of the heel bone. This bump forms where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel. The condition often needs treatment if it causes pain or walking problems. Treatments for Haglund's deformity may initially include shoe modifications and physical therapy.

Shin Splints

Shin Splints

The term "shin splints" refers to pain along the shin bone (tibia) — the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Shin splints are common in runners, dancers and military recruits. Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The increased activity overworks the muscles, tendons and bone tissue. Most cases of shin splints can be treated with rest, ice and other self-care measures. Wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine can help prevent shin splints from recurring. If you have shin splints, you might notice tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of your shinbone and mild swelling in your lower leg. At first, the pain might stop when you stop exercising. Eventually, however, the pain can be continuous and might progress to a stress reaction or stress fracture.

Stress Fractures

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone. They're caused by repetitive force, often from overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress fractures can also develop from normal use of a bone that's weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis. Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot. Track and field athletes and military recruits who carry heavy packs over long distances are at highest risk, but anyone can sustain a stress fracture. If you start a new exercise program, for example, you might develop stress fractures if you do too much too soon.

Hallux Limitus / Hallux Rigid (Osteoarthritis of the 1st toe)

Hallux Limitus / Hallux Rigid (Osteoarthritis of the 1st toe)

Hallux limitus is a condition that affects the hallux, which is the joint where your big toe connects to your foot. It results in limited movement of this joint. People with hallux limitus have limited flexibility in the joint and trouble bending their big toe. The inflexibility leads to pain, especially when walking. As the condition progresses, you can develop bone spurs and arthritis in your big toe, eventually making the toe joint completely rigid. When this happens, the condition is called hallux rigiduc which is osteoarthritis of the 1st toe. 

Verruca Pedis (Plantar's Warts)

Verruca Pedis (Plantar's Warts)

A plantar wart, or verruca, is a wart occurring on the bottom of the foot or toes. Their color is typically similar to that of the skin. Small black dots often occur on the surface. One or more may occur in an area. They may result in pain with pressure such that walking is difficult.

Hyperhidrosis (Sweaty Feet)

Hyperhidrosis (Sweaty Feet)

Excessive sweating of the feet is called hyperhidrosis. It's more common in men than in women, and more common in young adults than older adults. People whose feet sweat excessively often also have problems with excessive sweating of the palms. Excessive sweating of the feet seems to be an inherited problem. No one knows exactly why it occurs, but people who sweat excessively seem to have a different “set point” than other people. Most people sweat when it's hot out, or when they become warm. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively almost all the time.

The most obvious symptom of hyperhidrosis is feet that sweat excessively. Some people sweat so much that their feet may slip around inside their shoes. The feet may also have a whitish, wet appearance; sometimes, foot infections are present as well. (Constant wetness breaks down the skin, allowing infection to set in.) Foot odor is common. Those suffering from hyperhidrosis may also experience emotional stress and worry regarding foot odor. Sweat-related anxiety and isolation can be particularly severe among teens with plantar hyperhidrosis. 

Anhidrosis (Dry Feet)

Anhidrosis (Dry Feet)

Anhidrosis is the term used to describe dry feet. Skin on feet are naturally dry, unlike elsewhere on the body skin on the feet do not have oil glands so relies on sweat glands to keep feet moisturised. Dry skin can cause cracking, dry patches and itchiness. Dry skin can be caused by: excessively hot baths / showers, weather conditions, open backed shoes, some medical conditions. 

Heel Fissures / Cracks

Heel Fissures / Cracks

Heel fissures are cracks or divides in the skin over your heels. Sometimes these are an uncomfortable nuisance because they cause thick layers of dead skin cells to build up. Other times they can be potential triggers for painful, dangerous infections and skin damage. If you have heel fissures, there are treatments you can try as well as preventive methods to keep your skin soft.

Corns

Corns

Corns are hard, thickened areas of skin that typically occur on the feet. They're similar to a callus, but are usually harder, smaller, and more painful. Corns aren't dangerous, but they can cause irritation. 

Callus

Callus

A callus is an area of thickened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Since repeated contact is required, calluses are most often found on the feet and hands, but they may occur anywhere on the skin. Some degree of callus, such as on the bottom of the foot, is normal. Although calluses can occur anywhere on the body as a reaction to moderate, constant "grinding" pressure, they are most often found on the foot (where the most pressure and friction are applied). On the feet, arguably the source of the most problematic calluses, they typically form on the metatarsal-phalangeal joint area ("balls of the foot"), heels and small toes due to the compression applied by tightly fitting shoes.

Blisters

Blisters

A mixture of friction and pressure causes a majority of blisters on the feet. When the skin of the feet is continually rubbed against a shoe, sock, or rough surface, irritation and inflammation often occur. The result is pain, swelling, and redness. A red sore will usually develop on the foot before the blister itself.

Fungus

Fungus

Foot fungus is a skin infection caused by mold-like germs that live in dead cells on your skin, hair, and nails. There are more than 80 types of fungi on your feet. That's more than on other parts of the body, even the palms of your hands. But while some of these fungi may get a bad rap, most aren’t harmful. Athlete’s foot is the most common type of foot fungus. Up to 25% of people will get this itchy, even painful infection at some point. It usually grows between the toes but can spread to the soles and toenails. If you scratch your foot and then touch other parts of your body, like your armpits or groin, it can spread there, too. 

Eczema

Eczema

Your feet are prime targets for eczema triggers like dry winter air or hot summer days. And flares on your fingers and toes can be itchy and painful. So give these parts of you a little extra TLC. Are your feet often dry and itchy? Your socks may be to blame. Synthetic fabrics and wool can irritate your skin. For everyday wear, choose 100% cotton socks, preferably ones that have not been dyed. Also, change your socks a couple of times during the day if your feet sweat. Damp socks can make eczema worse.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis

Psoriasis typically causes a scaly, red rash that can appear almost anywhere on a person’s body, including the feet. Psoriasis on the feet can be painful and challenging to treat. Psoriasis can't be passed from person to person. 

Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis

If you experience contact dermatitis on your feet, symptoms may include redness, itchiness, a patchy or scaly rash, dry and cracked skin, bumps and blisters, swelling, burning, and/or tenderness. In some cases, Contact dermatitis may be a reaction to chemicals and materials commonly used in footwear. 

Nail Care

Nail Care

Nail care is essential throughout our lives, and with time, it may be more difficult to cut your own nails. Arthritis, diabetes, and pregnancy are just some of the reasons to see a chiropodist for nail care.

Why see an Advanced Foot Care Nurse or Chiropodist for Nail Care? We work with very high standards of infection control, similar to those of hospitals. All treatments will be performed with steam-sterilized instruments to ensure that there are no contaminants. Our practitioners are equipped with the skills and sterile tools, to help provide the care that’s right for you.

Corn / Callus Removal

Corn / Callus Removal

Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin that develop when your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure forces. They most often develop on the bottom of the feet and toes. Corns and calluses can be unsightly, and may be very painful. They may create pressure sores on the bottom of your feet that can turn into ulcers. In some instances, soft corns may develop between the toes, and can cause extreme discomfort. Our Foot Specialists may pare down the lesion and remove the corn using a scalpel. Do not attempt this yourself as it can lead to infection.