Category Archives: Foot Pain

Can a Chiropodist help with arthritis in the feet?

Posted on by

There is a lot of information out there about arthritis and its causes but what about treatment options? Utilizing painkillers to deal with arthritis can be a part of the treatment but doesn’t address the main problems that cause pain as a result of arthritis.

There are two major types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of slowly decreasing amount of cartilage in joints and is more common in athletes or as people age.

The second type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. That means the body is mistaking healthy tissues for external threats and attacking itself, which can break down joints over time and eventually cause joints to start to change shape and become deformed. This often affects the feet and toes, causing painful rubbing of the toes and in some cases overlapping of the toes. The stress of walking with rheumatoid arthritis can cause calluses, painful corns or infection of the feet but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Customized orthotics can be created to help alleviate the stress put on the joints of the feet. Toe spacers and props can help and custom shoes go a long way to make certain conditions more comfortable.  Laser treatment is also available to help reduce inflammation of the joints and to help increase range of motion in the joint if possible.

A Chiropodist can also recommend exercises that will help take pressure off specific points that are causing pain.  These exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home.

For more information on how to manage with arthritis in your feet please contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca.

Orthotics Clinic in Milton and Cambridge – Ontario Foot and Orthotics

Posted on by

Offering excellence in foot care and orthotic therapy.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics is an expert team of compassionate foot care specialists who have been providing quality foot care services for over 15 years. The team consists of registered chiropodists who are trained to assess, manage and prevent diseases and disorders of the foot. In addition to the background training and experience, the team possesses specialized skills in advanced surgical techniques, advanced biomechanics knowledge, pediatric foot care, diabetic foot care and are specialists in wound management. They are courteous and helpful in truly caring for their patients.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics has facilities that serve the communities of Milton, Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Chiropody services and related products offered by Ontario Foot and Orthotics include:

▪ Foot pain ▪ Sports injuries ▪ Custom foot orthotics

▪ Orthopedic shoes ▪ slippers and flip-flops ▪ Bunions

▪ Corns and calluses ▪ Claw and hammertoes ▪ Gout

▪ Heel spurs/pain ▪ Plantar fasciitis ▪ Diabetic Feet

▪ Arthritis / joint pain ▪ Shin splints ▪ Custom shoes

▪ Flat feet/Fallen arches ▪ High arches ▪ In-grown toenails

▪ Birkenstock sandals ▪ Compression stockings ▪ Toe nail fungus

▪ Pump bump ▪ Warts ▪ Soft tissue masses

▪ Soft tissue surgeries ▪ Routine nail care ▪ Children’s foot issues

▪ Wounds & ulcers ▪ Athlete’s foot ▪ Heel cracks / fissures

▪ Sprains & strains ▪ Other foot conditions

The chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are not only committed to proper assessment and treatment of foot-related concerns, but are also committed to foot care management and on-going monitoring, along with prevention-based self-care recommendations. Chiropody services are covered by most insurers and employee-benefits plans, which allows for annual foot care services for optimized foot health.

In order to provide the best professional care, the staff at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are active members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and the Ontario Society of Chiropodists.

Locations:

Cambridge: 697 Coronation Blvd., Suite #3

Milton: 550 Ontario St. S., Unit #205

Contact:

Cambridge Phone: 519-623-3000

Milton Phone: 905-878-6479

info@ontariofoot.ca
                                                                          

www.ontariofoot.ca

Custom Shoes Cambridge: If the shoe fits…it’s probably a custom orthotic

Posted on by

Oh, the joy of walking through the warm summer air. Birds chirping, sun shining on your skin and of course, sore feet because you can never find a pair of shoes that seem to fit comfortably. For some people the search for a new pair of shoes can be difficult and painful and it isn’t your fault. Many individuals are born with or develop feet that require specialized attention to make sure they are getting the support they need.

Pre-packaged orthotics are not an adequate solution, how could they be? Your feet are unique and what supports them should be as well. If you seem to have constant pain in your feet or back then custom orthotics might be a great option for you. Ontario Foot and Orthotics is a well-connected leader in analyzing your feet and gait to determine the right orthotic solution.

The days of the giant ugly brown shoe that some think of when they visualize orthotics are over and you might be surprised at the great brand names and styles that can be provided.  Birkenstock, Clark, Rockport and many others are available through Ontario Foot and Orthotics. You can even replace your painful pair of unsupportive flip-flops with comfortable and healthy sandals made by Ortho-heel, Birkenstock Bio-time and Ortho-feet.

Many people also suffer from chronic injuries or wounds on their feet and there are solutions for them as well at Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The experienced Chiropodists here are certified in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care and are happy to provide offloading devices that will keep you comfortable and mobile during your recovery.

Call Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Visit Chiropodist This Foot Health Month

Posted on by

May is Foot Health Month! The purpose of Foot Health Month is to raise awareness to the public about the importance of your feet and how to care for them properly.  Feet are an important part of your body and if your feet are sore and in a lot of pain, this can affect your day-to-day activities.

By visiting a Chiropodist at Ontario Foot and Orthotics, one can learn the benefits of proper foot care and the various diseases and disorders that can affect the feet.  Diabetes is one condition that can affect the feet in many ways.  There are complications that can arise from diabetes that can lead to loss of sensation causing wounds, infections, and possibly amputation.  By seeing your foot specialist on a regular basis, these complications can be prevented and if caught early, can be treated accordingly.

Conditions that can be treated by our foot specialists include corns, calluses, routine foot care, ingrown toe nails, diabetic foot care and wound care, warts, sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and much more.   Chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics can also assess and prescribe custom made orthotics and orthopaedic shoes.

Visit us this month for a foot assessment and learn how to care for your feet.  Learning about your feet and how to keep them healthy is very important and always remember that happy feet are healthy feet!  Call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

 

 

Custom Orthotics : You’re not all right with arthritis

Posted on by

There are two major types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of slowly decreasing amount of cartilage in joints and is more common in athletes or as people age.

The second type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis and if you or someone you know has this condition they should look into the services available at Ontario Foot and Orthotics. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. That means the body is mistaking healthy tissues for external threats and attacking itself, which can break down joints over time and eventually cause joints to start to change shape and become deformed. This often affects the feet and toes, causing painful rubbing of toes or even for toes to overlap one another. The stress of walking with rheumatoid arthritis can develop calluses, painful corns or infection of the feet but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Customized orthotics can be created to help alleviate the stress put on the joints of the feet. Toe spacers and props can help and custom shoes go a long way to make certain conditions more comfortable.

Another way Ontario Foot and Orthotics can help is by determining the cause of pain and recommending exercises that will help take pressure off specific points that are causing pain.

If you or someone you know could benefit from help with their arthritis, call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

What are Compression Stockings and How Can They Help Me?

Posted on by

Compression stockings or socks are specialized hosiery that is designed to help prevent the occurrence of venous disorders such as swelling, varicose veins, tired aching legs, and clotting.  It also guards against further progression of venous disorders.

Compression stockings or socks are elastic garments that are worn around the leg and compresses the limb, which creates pressure against the legs.  This causes an increase in venous blood flow.  By helping to decrease venous pressure, compression therapy will help relieve tired and aching legs.

Compression stockings are tightest around the ankles and become less constrictive around the knees and thighs.  The type of compression therapy will be dependent on where the swelling and aching is occurring.  The garment can go up to the knee, or extend to the thigh and even as panty hose up to the waist.  There are also various degrees of compression that are available.  Based on your symptoms, your doctor can help determine the amount of compression necessary.

Those who are on their feet all day, or who travel a lot for work can benefit from compression therapy.  They will help reduce swelling and keep the blood flowing at a constant gradient.   To find out more information regarding compression therapy and whether it is right for you, call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca.

Diabetic care starts with the feet

Posted on by

If you or someone you care about suffers from diabetes then you know that one of the most problematic areas affected in the body is the feet. Circulation problems, loss of feeling and complications in the feet are all constant worries. Whether the diabetes is in an advanced stage or you are just learning how to live with the condition, treatment and preventative solutions for your feet are a critical aspect to keeping healthy.

Aside from care recommended by your doctor, one of the healthcare solutions you can consider is a visit to Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The chiropodists here will test both your circulation and nerve sensitivity to determine which of their services you can benefit from to stay healthy and feel comfortable.

One of the most common problems associated with diabetes is neuropathy, the loss of sensory perception in the feet. This in itself is not harmful but it often leads to the feet being damaged over time and not being noticed. Things like calluses, corns, skin ulcers and ingrown nails can become big problems because many diabetics can’t feel the problem and therefore don’t treat the problem.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics clinics offer regular treatments to stay on top of treating calluses and corns and can offer quick and painless surgical solutions to chronically ingrown nails. We also offer custom orthotics to make walking and movement more comfortable and better for overall health and wellbeing.

You don’t want to trust unqualified people with your health and that is why Ontario Foot and Orthotics has been rigorous in our professional certification and connections. We are a member of the Halton Health Care Diabetes Best Practice Outreach Program, trained in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care, certified by the University of Toronto, are a member of the Registered Chiropodists with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and have many reputable partners that can be viewed on our website.

Call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Foot Clinic Milton: What causes a plantar wart and how can it be treated?

Posted on by

A plantar wart, also known as verruca pedis, is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that occurs on the sole of the foot or the toes.  The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts, breaks or other sensitive sites on the skin of your feet.  The spread of warts most likely occurs in areas that are contaminated by others with plantar warts.  This can include communal showers, pool areas, activities that include being barefoot such as gymnastics, martial arts, etc. The destruction of HPV once it enters the skin depends on the development of immune lymphocytes (small white blood cells) that destroy the virus-infected cells.

Plantar warts generally develop underneath pressure points in your feet such as the heel or the balls of your feet.  They can also occur on the toes.  Since the warts develop under pressure points, they may develop a callus (thickened skin) over top.  Plantar warts look like small, fleshy lesions or growths on the bottom of your feet.  Many warts have small black pinpoints, which are small clotted blood vessels.  If the wart is scratched, pinpoint bleeding can occur.  A cluster of warts in one area of the skin is called a mosaic wart.  Plantar warts can become very painful if not treated.  They are most painful when squeezed as opposed to direct pressure because the skin striations go around the plantar warts.  Plantar warts mostly affect children and teenagers and those with weakened immune systems.

There are various treatment options for plantar warts.  Treatment options depend on the individual and how long they have had the warts.  Since plantar warts can be resistant to treatment, it requires multiple visits and patience to ensure that the wart has been successfully treated. Treatment options include freezing (cryotherapy), various topical medication that includes salicylic acid, cantharidin, Immiquimod, silver nitrate, etc. If none of these treatment options work, there is laser treatment available as well as minor surgery, which involves cutting away the wart.

For more information or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

What are custom made orthotics/insoles and how can they help me?

Posted on by

Custom made orthotics/insoles are a corrective device that is used to support and correct the foot in a functional or accommodative manner.  It is a device that is placed in your shoes and helps correct biomechanical issues that may be occurring.  The orthotics can be prescribed to fit many different styles of shoes such as athletic shoes, dress shoes, safety shoes, and also hockey skates, soccer shoes, etc.

Custom made orthotics are recommended for a number of reasons.  These can range from flat feet to high arches, bunions, heel pain, knee pain, lower back pain, and general foot pain and fatigue.   The orthotics can restrict or assist movement of the foot in a specific direction and help redistribute pressure in the foot to avoid excessive pressure on certain weight bearing areas. The orthotics also helps change the alignment of the body to help reduce discomfort in the ankle, knees, and lower back.

Accommodative custom orthotics helps relieve pain and offload areas of the foot without changing the function of the foot.  These types of insoles are recommended for those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic individuals with sensitive feet, and those who just need more support in their feet in certain areas.

Before custom made orthotics are prescribed, a comprehensive assessment is completed.  This includes a biomechanical exam, which looks at the range of motion in the joints of the feet, knees, and hips.  A gait analysis is then completed to determine how the feet function when the body is in motion.  Once that is completed, a cast is taken of the feet through different means (plaster of paris, serofoam, etc.) and the orthotics are manufactured to your specific needs.

For more information or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at ontariofoot.ca.

You don’t have to live with ingrown toenails

Posted on by

Living in pain shouldn’t be something that becomes a permanent part of your life. Many people simply learn to live with the constant pain associated with ingrown toenails but there are services out there that can permanently relieve the stress you are dealing with as a result of recurring ingrown toenails.

This is an incredibly common problem and the experts at Ontario Foot and Orthotics can provide a variety of preventative and surgical solutions to ensure you don’t have to live another day with that stubborn ingrown nail.

The reasons that nails become ingrown are many. It could be as simple as wearing the wrong type of shoes for your natural foot shape. That is something that will be looked at during the biomechanical assessment provided at Ontario Foot and Orthotic. During your first meeting they can determine whether your footwear is the problem or if it goes deeper. Some people have feet that are anatomically disposed to cause ingrown nails and some people cut their nails improperly. If you have noticed that you are constantly in pain or that you develop infections in this area, it is time to book an appointment.

There are a few solutions that might suit you. The simplest options are to have the nails cut in the correct manner and to have the offending nail spike removed.  If the ingrown nail is a result of the position of your feet and the way you walk, customized orthotics can help reduce the pressure on the nail preventing ingrown nails from recurring. If it is a matter of nails that are being cut improperly, you can book recurring appointments to treat your nail problems. If you want to deal with ingrown nails once and for all, Ontario Foot and Orthotics actually offers a surgical option that will give you a permanent solution. By removing the nail and chemically burning the root that allows your nails to grow, your nail will not grow back in the area that is causing the pain.  There are options to have a portion of the nail removed, or to have the whole nail removed. It’s fairly non-invasive and many patients are back on their feet in the next day.

Call Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.