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Bursitis is an inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, located near a joint, bone or tendon. The bursa, which protects the area from friction, can become inflamed from repetitive motion or irritation from shoes. In the foot, the heel and the toes are most often affected.

Symptoms of bursitis include localized redness, swelling, and pain. Treatment may include resting the affected area, local ice therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, padding or corticosteroid injections to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. If these nonsurgical treatments fail to provide adequate pain relief, surgery may be needed.

A callus is a thickened area of skin on the foot caused by pressure and repeated rubbing, such as from a shoe or sock. The rubbing causes the skin to produce a layer of protective skin (a callus). Calluses vary in size and can become painful.

A corn is a small circular thickened lesion on the skin of the foot. It usually forms due to repeated pressure on the skin, such as the rubbing of a shoe. The name “corn” comes from its resemblance to a kernel of corn. A corn is different from a callus in that it has a central core of hard material.

People with foot deformities, such as hammertoes, often suffer from corns because the tops of the bent toes rub against the tops of shoes.

Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch. Other characteristics shared by most types of flatfoot include toe drift, in which the toes and front part of the foot point outward. The heel tilts toward the outside and the ankle appears to turn in. A tight Achilles tendon, which causes the heel to lift off the ground earlier when walking and may make the problem worse, bunions and hammertoes may develop as a result of a flatfoot.

Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) deformity of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop.

Normal toes unaffected by hammertoe. Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with noninvasive measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to nonsurgical treatment.

Because of the progressive nature of hammertoes, they should receive early attention. Hammertoes never get better without some kind of intervention.

Metatarsalgia is one of the more commonly seen complaints in any podiatry practice. Common treatments for the disorder include ice, removable metatarsal pads, anti-inflammatories, injected steroids and physical therapy.

Feet can suffer some of our worst skin complaints and if untreated can often go on for years hidden away by our shoes. Cracked heels, callus, tinea, and corns are some of the most common, embarrassing and sometimes painful skin complaints we see. Trauma, infection, skin disease, and even walking can cause changes in the skin of our feet.The good news is that these and many other skin conditions can often be treated with a little work from your podiatrist as well as the right products and advice.

Foot and ankle tendonitis is a common cause of foot pain. It occurs when there is inflammation or irritation of the tendons, which is usually due to overuse from repetitive movements or stretching or an injury such as an ankle sprain.

Foot and ankle tendonitis can affect any of the tendons in the foot. The most common result in conditions such as Achilles Tendonitis at the back of the foot and Extensor Tendonitis on the top of the foot.

Symptoms typically consist of pain, swelling and stiffness. It usually takes two to three months to recover, but it can take much longer without the proper treatment so early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Strains, stretches or tears in the muscles or tendons are typically the result of a quick twist or pull. Sprains are also stretches or tears, but these affect the ligaments and are generally caused by a fall or trauma to the ankle or foot.

Bone fractures, or breaks, often occur during slips and falls, though they also can be the result of a direct impact to the foot or ankle, such as from an automobile accident.

Advancing age and repetitive stress to the foot and ankle can make a person more susceptible to these injuries. Improper footwear and inadequate sports training are also factors in many instances of ankle and foot trauma.

A wart is a growth in the skin caused by a viral infection. Warts tend to be hard and flat with elevated, rough surfaces with well-defined boundaries. Some have one or more black pinpoints. They are frequently called plantar warts because they appear on the plantar surface, or sole of the foot. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults.

It is possible that a variety of other more serious lesions, including carcinomas and melanomas (cancers), can be mistakenly identified as warts. Because of those identification problems, it is wise to consult a podiatrist about any suspicious growth or eruption on the skin of the feet. If warts are left untreated, they can grow and spread into clusters of several warts.

Ulcers, which are open sores in the skin, occur when the outer layers of the skin are injured and the deeper tissues become exposed. They can be caused by excess pressure due to ill-fitting shoes, long periods in bed or after an injury that breaks the skin. Ulcers are commonly seen in patients living with diabetes, neuropathy or vascular disease. Open wounds can put patients at increased risk of developing infection in the skin and bone.