Community Foot & Ankle Associates

Fallen arches (also called flat feet) is a common problem that many people experience. The root cause is a muscle and tendon imbalance in the foot. If this causes pain, a podiatrist can help diagnose the problem and recommend insoles, supports, or orthotics to correct it.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into your skin instead of straight up. The painful condition can be caused by clipping your nails too short, wearing too-tight shoes or stubbing your toe. Your podiatrist can treat the problem and help you keep it from recurring.

Do your heels hurt when you get out of bed in the morning? You may have plantar fasciitis, an inflammation or weakness of the ligament that supports the arch of your foot. It’s one of the most common foot ailments among middle-aged adults and is treatable by your podiatrist.

Often a podiatrist will be able to treat your foot ailments without surgery. In many cases, orthotics (prescribed shoe inserts) can provide foot relief through ankle, heel, arch, tendon, ligament, or muscle support.

The old test of using a thumb’s width to judge how well a shoe fits is actually a good trick. When shopping for new shoes, make sure there is a space between the toes and the tips of the shoes that is equal to about the width of your thumb.

When dealing with an ingrown toenail, most people will try to perform bathroom surgery themselves, which consists of non-sterile and ineffective instruments. Please don’t do this. Instead, visit your podiatrist for quick and effective treatment.

A bunion is a tender and painful enlargement at the base of the big toe caused by misalignment of the joint. Treatment for this can include anything from padding or taping the area to wearing prescription orthotics and even surgery.

Know anyone with a second toe longer than their big toe? This is called Morton's toe. Up to 30 percent of Americans have this condition, which can be seen on the Statue of Liberty.

Hyperkeratosis is the medical term for corns and calluses. Both words come from Ancient Greek: hypermeans over and keratos refers to skin. Corns and calluses are usually caused by pressure or friction, but they can be an indicator of vitamin deficiencies or chemical exposure.

We all know that tiny broken bones in your feet are a possibility when you have osteoporosis, but who can help you identify and heal those bones? A podiatrist is the one who knows those bones best, and they can help you get the treatment you need.

What is the MTP joint? That is the joint at the base of the big toe, known as the metatarsophalangeal joint. It also is where bunions painful growths of bone or tissue are located. Medication, shoe inserts and physical therapy usually can reverse this condition.

Our toes help us balance as we walk, touching the ground 75 percent of the time. Our big toes help us balance the most and can bear twice as much weight as all of our other toes put together.

Podiatrists agree that buying the right fitting shoes can go a long way in avoiding foot and ankle ailments. It’s best to shop for shoes in the afternoon, since feet tend to swell a bit during the day. This will ensure the best fit.