What is cantharidin? Cantharidin is a liquid agent used to treat various skin conditions such as viral warts and molluscum contagiosum. Cantharidin was derived from the secretions of a male blister beetle. The males give these secretions to the females to lay over their eggs to protect against predators. How does cantharidin work? Warts invade and grow in the epidermal layer …
High Arch Foot (Pes Cavus)
What is a Cavus foot type or high arch? A high arched foot is when someone has an abnormally high arch of their foot which can lead to abnormal foot biomechanics that cause a variety of different foot and ankle pain. What causes a person to have high arches? Genetics is the most common cause of having high arches, but can …
Callus – intractable plantar keratosis (IPK)
What is n painful calluses (IPKs)? An IPK is a type of painful callus that forms in areas of high pressure typically underneath the metatarsal heads. These IPKs are very painful and cause forefoot pain referred to as metatarsalgia. Why do painful calluses (IPKs) develop? IPKs develop in areas of high pressure secondary to the foot structure and biomechanics, another …
Toenail Fungus – Onychomycosis or tinea unguium
What is toenail fungus? People can develop an infection of their toenails by from different types of fungus, mold, or yeast ( dermatophytes – trichophyton, candida) . The fungus can infect multiple parts of the nail unit including the nail bed and/or plate What are the types of toenail fungus? There are 4 main types of toenail fungus: distal subungual, …
Turf Toe
What is Turf Toe? Turf toe is a hyperextension injury to the big toe joint (1st metatarsal phalangeal joint) with damage to the plantar plate and sesamoid complex. There is a sprain/tear to the ligaments of the joint with possible damage to the sesamoid bones. The tear of the ligaments typically occur off the proximal phalanx. What are the grades …
Equinus of the Foot and Ankle
What is equinus? Equinus is a condition with limited dorsiflexion/up wards bending of the ankle joint. People with equinus are unable to bend there ankle joint past about 90 degrees, typically people are supposed to get an additional 10 degrees. What are the causes of equinus? Equinus is typically caused by a tight achilles tendon that is formed from the …
Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)
What is Athlete’s foot? Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot. Fungal infections of the foot are common because of the dark, moist, and warm environment inside shoes. Fungus thrives in areas such as public pools, gyms, public showers, and locker room which is why a fungal infection of the foot is called athlete’s foot. How to diagnose …
Lisfranc Injury of the Foot
What is a Lisfranc injury? A lisfranc injury is a disruption between the tarsometarsal joint complex specifically damage to the lisfranc ligament that connects the medial cuneiform to the 2nd metatarsal. How to diagnose a Lisfranc injury? X-rays are typically used to diagnose lisfranc injuries and specifically attention is paid to a widening of the gap between the medical cuneiform …
Flat Feet (pes planus) or Fallen Arches
What is a flat foot? A flat foot is a decrease in the medial arch of your foot, which can be congenital or acquired. An acquired flat foot is called posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, which occurs over time as the posterior tibial tendon undergoes damage and decreases in function. How to diagnose a flatfoot? A flat foot can be diagnosed …
Plantar Fasciitis
What is the plantar fascia? The plantar fascia is layer of connective tissue that originates at the heel bone (calcaneus) and extends towards your toes. The plantar fascia is important for maintaining the stability of the foot arch. What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia through repetitive micro trauma that causes tears and may lead …
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