What is an ingrown nail? An ingrown nail is when the nail grows into the skin causing irritation, which can lead to pain, swelling, redness, and infection. The toe can become infected if the nail causes a break in the skin and allows bacteria to enter. What are the causes of an ingrown toenail ? An ingrown toenail can …
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the Leg
What is a DVT of the leg? A DVT is a blood clot that form in the veins of the lower leg. A DVT is considered a medical emergency because the clot can break loose and travel to your lungs causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE is when a blood clot gets lodged into your lung and can cause …
Ankle Arthroscopy
What is ankle arthroscopy? Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a fiber optic camera and other tools (shaver, radiofrequency abalator) to treat/diagnose pathology in the ankle joint. This procedures consists of 2 small incision on the medial side of the tibialis anterior tendon and lateral to the peroneus tertius tendon. Ankle arthroscopy can be done anteriorly and posteriorly …
Bunions
What are Bunions? Bunions are bumps that develop at the base of the big toe joint. These bumps are bony growths that can become worse over time without treatment or self-care. When bunions fail to improve with self-care measures, surgery might be an option for patients to consider. What are the Signs of a Bunion? Bunions appear as bumps on …
Achilles Tendonitis
What is Achilles tendonitis? Achilles tendonitis is a chronic inflammation of achilles tendon that causes thickening and pain of the tendon. The thickening occurs anywhere along the tendon, but most commonly at the insertion. At the insertion of achilles there can also be abnormal bony enlargement from the calcaneus. This bone can also cause irritation forming a painful retrocalcaneal bursa. …
Plantar Foot Warts – Plantar Verrucae
What are foot warts? Warts are human papilloma virus (HPV – DNA virus) that live in the skin layer of the foot, specifically the epidermis. Most common strains of HPV that affect the hands are 1, 2, 4, and 10. Warts that grow together in clusters are called mosaic warts. What causes foot warts? Warts are transmitted through direct contact …
Osteomyelitis in Foot and Ankle (OM)
What is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone with progressive inflammatory destruction. What causes osteomyelitis? There are many ways a bone can develop an infection, but are mainly categorized into hematogenous (from the blood), contiguous spread (from the surrounding tissue), or direct inoculation ( bacteria being put on the bone). How to diagnose osteomyelitis? Depending on the cause …
Melanoma
What is melanoma? Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer originating from the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin color. There are 4 main types of melanoma: acral lentiginous, lentigo maligna, superficial spreading, and nodular. The most common type of melanoma is superficial spreading and the most aggressive is nodular. What causes an melanoma? …
Osteochondral defect of talus (OCD/OLT)
What is an OCD of the talus? An ostechondral defect (OCD) is damage to to the cartilage and underlying bone of the talus causing ankle pain. The talus is a bone in the ankle joint that articulates with the tibia and fibula. What causes an OCD of the talus? Typically OCDs are caused by acute traumatic event such as an …
Hallux Rigidus/Hallux Limitus
Hallux rigidus (hallux limitus) What is Hallux rigidus? Hallux rigidus is the development of arthritis in the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint, which over time leads to limited range of motion and pain. Hallux rigidus is a progressive condition, so over time you will develop more joint stiffness and pain. What causes hallux rigidus? Typically hallux rigidus is caused by a biomechanical/structural …