Category Archives: Uncategorized

Patient – Tinea Pedis

Summary

Fungal infection can affect people of all ages. It will cause a rash or blisters with itching, dryness, redness, flaking, and sometimes moist white skin between the toes.

How did I get this?

You can pick up a fungal infection anywhere, however they are more common in warm moist environments where there are communal barefoot areas. Care should be taken when using foot spas if they are shared with other people.

What can I do about it?

Various treatments are available from the pharmacy. Most require an application of an antifungal cream or spray as often as twice a day. Use footwear that will allow your feet to “breathe” and moisture “Wicking” socks or natural fibres are next best.

Wear thongs or water shoes in the shower to prevent infecting others.

What help can I get for this?

Your Doctor or Podiatrist will be able to help if you are not sure of the cause of your rash, or if it has not cleared up after 4 weeks. Sometimes a skin sample can be sent to the lab for testing.

Your podiatrist can advise you about disinfection of your footwear and hosiery.

When will it get better?

With the right treatment, fungal infections will usually clear up in a few weeks. More stubborn infections can keep coming back and may require further investigation.

Patient – subungual haematoma

Summary

Often very painful, a blood blister under your toenail will cause swelling and bruising under and around your toenail.

How did I get this?

Usually a result of trauma, you may have stubbed your toe, dropped something on it, or been stood on.

You may also see this condition after endurance events e.g. running or hiking, or after wearing shoes that sre too small.

If you are taking anticoagulant medication you should take extra care.

What can I do about it?

Painkillers may help, but avoid those containing anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.

Piercing the toenail to release the pressure will give immediate relief, but this should be carried out by a medical professional if possible.

What help can I get for this?

Your Doctor or Podiatrist will carefully release the pressure and fluid from beneath the toenail, and advise you on appropriate dressings.

Your podiatrist can help if the toenail comes loose, or is not growing properly.

When will it get better?

Releasing the fluid from beneath the toenail usually gives immediate relief. Sometimes you will lose the toenail, but it should grow back again.

Patient – Plantar Wart

Summary

  • Plantar refers to the sole of your foot (nothing to do with gardening)
  • Wart on the sole of your foot or between your toes
  • May be painful due to a build-up of hard skin

How did I get this?

  • The wart is caused by a virus which thrives in warm moist environments
  • I may have been picked up via a microscopic skin tear
  • They are often contracted through communal barefoot areas such as changing rooms and swimming pools
  • Can also be passed on within families.

What can I do about it?

  • Avoid going barefoot
  • Remedies are available at your pharmacy
  • Use a pumice or foot file to reduce thick hard skin
  • Keep the wart covered with a waterproof dressing or tape
  • Make sure you are generally healthy with a strong immune system

What help can I get for this?

  • A Podiatrist will remove any thick hard skin and advise on treatment options
  • Treatment may involve acid, freezing, burning, or laser to kill the virus causing the wart

When will it get better?

  • Most warts will go away on their own after about 2 years
  • Depending on the type of treatment you should expect an improvement in 6-8 weeks

Patient -onychomycosis

Summary

Fungal nail infection becomes more common as we get older. It appears as a white or yellow/brown discolouration of the nails. Lots of people get changes to their toenails however only about half are because of Fungal Infection.

How did I get this?

Nail fungus can be picked up almost anywhere, however it is more common in warm moist environments. The fungus can enter through the skin folds around your nail, through a split or damaged nail, or under the end of the toenail. People who are run down, or suffering from other health problems may be more susceptible.

Care should be taken when visiting nail spas to ensure equipment is clean prior to use.

What can I do about it?

Various treatments are available from the pharmacy. Most require an application of antifungal nail paint as often as twice a day, and some also include files or other means of helping the paint to penetrate.

Using nail varnish to hide the problem will also seal the infection in the nail and tends to make it worse.

What help can I get for this?

Your doctor may prescribe antifungal medication. Oral treatments may not be suitable for people with other health problems.

A Podiatrist will help by carefully removing any infected nail tissue and advising on treatment options. This might include Photodynamic Therapy or Laser treatment, and should also address disinfection of your footwear and hosiery.

When will it get better?

Treating Fungal Nail Infection can take many months, perhaps up to a year. Any treatment will require the nail to re-grow until it is clear of infection.

Patient -interdigital Hyperkeratosis

Summary

  • Painful thick skin between the toes.
  • Sometimes very hard and dry
  • Sometimes the thick skin is soft, white and macerated (soft corn)
  • There may also be a fungal infection
  • The worst cases may blister and form a wound.

How did I get this?

  • Increased pressure between your toes possibly caused by any or all of the following: tight shoes, bony lumps, enlarged joints, thick toenails.

What can I do about it?

  • Wear shoes with a deep wide toebox
  • Wear a pad between the toes
  • Trim your toenails carefully
  • Treat fungal infections

What help can I get for this?

  • Podiatrist will gently remove the thick skin
  • Podiatrists can provide made to measure pads for between your toes
  • Shoe store can fit your shoes carefully
  • Surgeons can straighten toes and remove bony lumps

When will it get better?

  • Removal of the thick skin can provide immediate relief
  • Padding between the toes can help prevent recurring problem.

Patient – Hyperkeratosis

Summary

  • Painful thick skin (corns and callous) caused by pressure or friction
  • Usually on the sole of your foot or over bony lumps and joints
  • Can become blistered and form a wound if not treated

How did I get this?

  • Pressure or friction causes the skin to thicken
  • Enlarged joints or bony lumps may increase pressure
  • Tight footwear and high heels will increase pressure
  • Loose footwear will increase friction

What can I do about it?

  • Wear properly fitting shoes
  • Use a foam pads to relieve pressure
  • Use thin fleecy pads or moleskin to reduce friction
  • Gently remove excess skin with a pumice or foot file

What help can I get for this?

  • Podiatrist will help by removing the thick skin
  • Podiatrist may provide a pad to relieve pressure or friction
  • Podiatrist can provide pressure relief insoles for your shoes, and may stretch shoes for bony lumps
  • Careful Shoe fitting to ensure room for your toes and secure fit.
  • Orthopaedic surgeon can operate to reduce bony lumps.

    When will it get better?

    • Removing the thick skin often provides immediate relief
    • Padding and insoles can help prevent recurring problems

 

Synovitis

Summary

  • Inflammation of the tissues that line the joints, often under the ball of the foot. It causes redness, swelling, warmth, and pain on weightbearing or with joint motion.

How did I get this?

  • Pressure overload on the toes due to an associated deformity, wearing inappropriate footwear such as high heels or isufficient width, and arthritis.

What can I do about it?

  • Wear good fitting shoes.
  • Avoid high heels.
  • Wear a protective pad.
  • Hot or cold packs may help.
  • See a podiatrist.

What help can I get for this?

  • A podiatrist may provide padding to reduce pressure on the area, footwear advice, orthotics, strapping.
  • Your doctor may administer a cortisone injection in the injured area.
  • A surgeon to correct the associated deformity which is causing the synovitis.

When will it get better?

  • The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better and sooner the outcome will be. If left untreated synovitis could result in rupture and permanent deformity.

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Summary

  • The sinus tarsi is a small cavity located on the outside of the ankle. This cavity contains numerous anatomical structures including ligaments and joint capsule. These structures may be injured following an ankle sprain or due to the repetitive strain associated with an excessively pronated (flat) foot. When this occurs, the condition is known as sinus tarsi syndrome. Patients with sinus tarsi syndrome typically experience pain over the outside of the ankle. There may also be swelling and tenderness in the region. Symptoms are typically worse in the morning and may present as pain and stiffness that slowly improves as the patient warms up. Symptoms may also be aggravated during walking or running especially on slopes or uneven surfaces.

How did I get this?

  • Sinus tarsi syndrome usually occurs following an ankle sprain or due to the repetitive strain associated with walking or running on an excessively flat foot.

What can I do about it?

  • Rest sufficiently from any activity that increases your pain.
  • Icing and short term anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Ibuprofen) may help to significantly reduce inflammation.
  • Elevation of the affected foot to decrease inflammation.
  • Seek podiatry consultation.

What help can I get for this?

  • Podiatrist may prescribe an ankle brace, appropriate footwear, and orthotics, along with strengthening exercises.
  • Your doctor may prescribe a steroid injection.

When will it get better?

  • Most patients with this condition heal well with an appropriate treatment program. This can be a lengthy process and may take several months in patients who have had their condition for a long period of time. Minor cases of this condition that are identified and treated early can usually settle within a few weeks. Early treatment is vital to hasten recovery and ensure an optimal outcome.

Sesamoiditis Fact Sheet

Summary

  • The sesamoids are two baked bean sized bones in the tendons under your big toe joint.
  • They can become inflamed and even fracture causing pain particularly when wakling quickly or running.

How did I get this?

  • Sesamoidits is usually seen in people who have a sharp blow to the joint, or have a high arched foot with a prominent big toe joint. Dancers and people that wear high heels are more prone to this.

What can I do about it?

  • Wear flat cushioning footwear such as joggers. Ice the area.
  • Short term use of anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may relieve the symptoms.

What help can I get for this?

  • See a podiatrist for footwear advice, padding, strapping, and possible orthotics to relieve stress on the sesamoids.
  • Immobilisation in a cam walker may be necessary for severe cases.
  • If there is a fracture that does not respond to conservative treatment then surgery may be necessary.

When will it get better?

  • Conservative measures should see improvement over a few months.
  • Surgical intervention will require a longer recovery period.

Pump Bump

Summary

  • It is a condition where there is bony enlargement on the back of the heel due to irritation if rubs against the shoes. Symptoms include a noticeable bump on the back of the heel, pain in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel, swelling in the back of the heel, and redness near the inflamed tissue.

How did I get this?

  • Any shoes with a rigid back, such as ice skates, men’s dress shoes, or women’s pumps can cause this irritation.

What can I do about it?

  • Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be taken to reduce the pain and inflammation.
  • Apply an ice pack to the inflamed area for reducing the inflammation.
  • Stretching exercises help relieve tension from the Achilles tendon. Heel lifts placed inside the shoe to decrease the pressure on the heel.
  • Heel pads placed inside the back of the shoe to cushion the heel may help reduce irritation when walking.
  • Shoe modification (Backless or soft backed shoes help avoid or minimize irritation).

What help can I get for this?

  • Podiatrist may prescribe orthotics to control the motion in the foot.
  • Foot and ankle surgeon if non-surgical treatment fails to provide adequate pain relief.

When will it get better?

  • Nonsurgical approach control symptoms if treated early but will not shrink the bony protrusion.
  • Surgical recovery time depends greatly on which procedure your surgeon performed.