Podiatry conditions we diagnose and treat

Podiatrists at Ascension Saint Thomas diagnose and treat a wide range of foot, ankle and lower leg conditions.

Conditions

Understanding whether your symptoms are related to a neurological condition is important. Whether it’s persistent headaches, dizziness, numbness, memory changes or weakness, don’t delay speaking with a doctor to better understand and treat your neurological condition or symptoms.

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and supports walking, running and jumping. Because the Achilles tendon bears repeated stress during daily activities and exercise, it can become overworked. When the tendon becomes inflamed, swollen or irritated, this condition is known as Achilles tendonitis.

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch too far or tear. This type of injury can happen from a fall, a sudden twist or direct impact.

Arthritis is the swelling (inflammation) of a joint, where two or more bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, all of which can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones. Arthritis is often a chronic, or ongoing, condition.

Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection caused by a fungus that usually affects the area between the toes. It can make the skin itchy, red, dry, cracked or peeling, and sometimes causes burning or an odor. The fungus grows well in warm, damp places like sweaty shoes, locker rooms and public showers. Athlete’s foot can often be treated with antifungal creams or sprays from the pharmacy, along with keeping the feet clean and dry and changing socks regularly.

A heel spur, also called a bone spur, is a small bony growth that forms on the heel bone where the plantar fascia attaches to the foot. It’s often caused by repeated stress from activities like walking, running, standing for long periods, wearing poor-fitting shoes, or carrying extra weight. Heel spurs can cause pain and inflammation in the heel, especially when taking the first steps after resting.

A broken bone, or fracture, occurs when a bone is partially or completely cracked or broken. Fractures may be open, where the bone breaks through the skin, or closed, where the skin remains intact.

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe or, less commonly, the small toe. When it occurs at the small toe, it’s called a bunionette or tailor’s bunion. Bunions may develop from prolonged joint stress on the joint and are more common in women, possibly due to tight or narrow footwear. They can also be inherited or associated with arthritis, particularly in the big toe joint.

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions and reduces friction between tissues. Bursae are located near tendons and joints, especially around larger areas such as the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.

Corns are thick, hardened callus growths that usually form on the tops or sides of the toes because of repeated rubbing or pressure, often from shoes that do not fit well or toes rubbing against each other. They can feel tender or painful, especially when walking or wearing shoes.

Diabetes can lead to nerve damage and poor circulation, increasing the risk of foot ulcers. The nerves in your feet are especially vulnerable to damage because they are the longest in the body. Reduced sensation may cause injuries or sores to go unnoticed, allowing them to worsen. Early detection and regular foot checks are important to help prevent complications.

Flat feet occur when the arches on the inside of the feet are low or collapse, causing most or all of the foot to touch the ground when standing. This can sometimes lead to foot, ankle, or leg pain and may affect walking or balance.

High arches occur when the arches of the feet are raised more than normal, placing extra pressure on the heel and ball of the foot. High arches can cause foot pain, instability, and difficulty finding comfortable shoes.

Foot and ankle pain can make it harder to stay active and do everyday activities comfortably. Pain can have many causes, including injuries like sprains or fractures, as well as problems with nerves, muscles, joints or overuse.

Foot, leg and ankle wounds include sores, cuts, ulcers and other injuries that may be slow to heal or become infected. People with diabetes, poor circulation or nerve damage may be at greater risk for these wounds and related complications. Early evaluation can help prevent a wound from worsening.

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden pain, swelling, redness and stiffness in the joints, often starting in the big toe. It happens when uric acid builds up in the body and forms crystals in the joints. Anyone can develop gout, but it is more common in men and in people who are overweight or have conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

A hammertoe happens when a toe bends downward at the middle joint, causing it to look curled or bent. This can make the joint rub against the inside of a shoe, especially if the shoes are tight-fitting, which may lead to pain, irritation or developing a corn.

An ingrown toenail happens when the side of a toenail grows into the skin around it, usually on the big toe. This can cause pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. Ingrown toenails are often caused by cutting nails too short, wearing tight shoes, or pressure on the toes. Treatment may include soaking the foot, wearing more comfortable shoes and proper nail trimming.

Most sports and overuse injuries affect bones, muscles, ligaments or tendons due to repeated stress. They may also lead to stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bone. These commonly occur in the shin or foot, especially with activities like running or basketball. Swelling may not always be present, but pain and tenderness typically increase with movement.

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, especially with the first steps after resting or getting out of bed. It happens when the band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes irritated or inflamed from overuse, standing for long periods, walking, running or foot strain. It is more common in people who are overweight, have flat feet or high arches, or spend a lot of time on their feet.

Poor circulation means that blood isn’t flowing well to the feet and legs. This can cause symptoms like cold feet, numbness, cramping, slow-healing sores, skin color changes or pain when walking. Poor circulation is more common in people with diabetes or blood vessel problems, and good foot care is important to help prevent complications.

Shin splints are a common overuse injury that causes pain along the front or inside of the shinbone, often from running, exercise, or being active on hard surfaces. The pain usually improves with rest, stretching, ice and anti-inflammatory medicine. Wearing supportive shoes and slowly increasing activity can also help prevent shin splints from coming back.

Skin and toenail problems are common conditions that can affect the comfort and health of your feet. These may include dry or cracked skin, calluses, corns, fungal infections, thick or discolored toenails, or ingrown toenails. Some problems can cause pain or make walking uncomfortable. A podiatrist can help treat these conditions and recommend ways to keep your feet healthy.

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, the strong band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It can cause pain, swelling and discomfort and may affect different areas of the foot and ankle.

Toe pain may affect one or more toes and can result from issues involving bones, joints, tendons, nerves or skin.

Diabetes can affect blood vessels and circulation, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. This can increase the risk of vascular foot disease, where poor circulation may slow healing and increase the risk of infection or complications. Regular foot checks are important to catch sores or wounds early. Managing these conditions may involve care from your podiatrist, orthopedic specialist and sometimes a vascular specialist.

Warts are small skin growths caused by a virus. Some warts can develop on the bottom of the foot. These are called plantar warts and may cause pain or tenderness when walking or standing. They often look like rough, thickened skin. Warts can spread in warm, damp places, such as locker rooms and public showers.