Ankle sprains are a common injury for people who are active in sports, but they also can happen to anyone. Certain behaviors put a person at more risk for this type of injury. A typical risk factor is embarking on strenuous physical activity when your body is not in shape. Another is pushing through muscle and ligament fatigue, toward the end of a run for instance, rather than resting for a little while before continuing. A third risk factor for ankle sprains is not warming up thoroughly before an activity. This causes tight muscles and ligaments to be more likely to tear. Carrying extra weight is another contributor to the likelihood of spraining an ankle, because of an increased load on the joint. Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear is another factor. This applies in ordinary life, such as walking on slippery surfaces in high heels, not just during athletic endeavors. Anyone who has previously sprained an ankle is at more risk of incurring another such injury. Making sure the previously injured ankle has completely healed before resuming activity can help to prevent this. For more information on ankle sprains, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact the practitioners from Foot Care Institute. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Windsor, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you are a senior citizen, you undoubtedly know the importance of protecting the health of your feet. Something that can jeopardize the health of the feet, however, is suffering from a fall or trip. These falls can cause foot injuries in seniors and can further exacerbate foot health problems. Seniors might make a special effort to prevent falls in the shower. A senior might do this in a number of ways. For example, the installation of grab bars can help maximize stability and balance for a senior, giving them something to hold onto while entering and exiting the shower. Also, installing a shower chair gives the senior the option to sit while showering, which can reduce the chance of falling. Lastly, it might be a good idea to ensure that toiletries used while showering are placed within easy reach. If you are a senior or are caring for one, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today to be diligent in protecting your foot health.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with the practitioners from Foot Care Institute. Our practitioners will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Windsor, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A hammertoe is caused by the misalignment in one of the toe joints which results in the toe developing a Z-shaped deformity. It can develop from rheumatoid arthritis, neurologic foot disorders, or other causes. Typically, the second toe is affected, and this happens because of an elongated second metatarsal and pressure from a bunion on the big toe. Corns can progress on the hammertoe deformity and can be an additional source of pain. When one has a hammertoe, it is important to wear shoes with a wider toe box so the toes have enough room to move freely, as well as to accommodate the foot deformity. Toe pads and orthotics might also help those with hammertoes. If these conservative measures are not helpful, speak to your podiatrist and see if surgery is an option. If you suffer with a hammertoe, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an examination and treatment.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the practitioners of Foot Care Institute. Our practitioners will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Windsor, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails are certainly no fun. When the side of a toenail grows into the skin, and the skin essentially grows over the nail, irritation can ensue. Ingrown toenails are also associated with redness of the skin. If you are someone that is living with an ingrown toenail, you may consider visiting a podiatrist to get the toenail cut. It is important to note that removing the ingrown toenail is typically a remedy that is saved for more severe cases. If a medical professional cuts the nail, they normally use the correct method of cutting the nail straight across using nail clippers. They also may use tweezers or other tools to get the nail to grow in the proper direction. However, the nature of trimming the toenails will vary from case to case, as each ingrown toenail is unique. If you are living with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine the best way to cut your toenails.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact the practitioners of Foot Care Institute. Our practitioners can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Windsor, ON . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.