Warts

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Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus and can appear anywhere on the skin. Those that appear on the sole of the foot are called plantar warts. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults. Some people seem to be immune to warts. If left untreated, warts can grow and can spread into clusters of several warts;  called mosaic warts. Like any other infectious lesion, plantar warts are spread by touching, scratching, or even by contact with skin shed from another wart. The virus can be resistant to treatment or take some time to respond to treatments. Seeking professional care as soon as possible ensures the best chance of  killing the virus and avoiding possible spread.

 

Bunions

A bunion is commonly referred to as a “bump” on the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Because this joint carries a lot of the body's weight while walking, bunions can cause pain and can make the wearing of shoes difficult or impossible.

 

Bunions form when the normal balance of forces that is exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot becomes disrupted. This disruption can lead to instability in the joint and cause the deformity. They are, therefore, a symptom of faulty foot development and are usually caused by the way we walk and our inherited foot type or our shoes.

 

Other causes of bunions are foot injuries, neuromuscular disorders, or congenital deformities. People who suffer from flat feet or low arches are also prone to developing these problems, as are arthritic patients and those with inflammatory joint disease. 

 

Treatment options vary with the type and severity of each bunion, although identifying the deformity early in its development is important in avoiding surgery. The primary goal of most early treatment options is to relieve pressure on the bunion and halt the progression of the joint deformity. 

 

There are some steps that may help prevent, or at least slow, the progression of bunions: Avoid shoes with a narrow toe box. If your foot flattens excessively, make sure you wear supportive shoes, and if necessary, get custom orthotics to support your arch and lessen the pressure on the metatarsophalangeal  joint.

 

Schedule a visit to see us at the first signs or symptoms of a bunion deformity, as early treatment may stop or slow its progression.

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