Cantharidin – Wart treatment

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 …

Ankle Arthritis

What is ankle arthritis? Ankle arthritis develops when the ankle joint looses cartilage. The ankle joint space narrows with worsening pain and loss of range of motion.  What causes ankle arthritis? Most common cause of ankle is post-traumatic arthritis and other causes are primary osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, septic joint, gout, and hemophilia.  What are the signs of ankle arthritis? …

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 …