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 …
Accessory Navicular Syndrome (os tibiale externum)
What is an accessory navicular? An accessory navicular is an extra bone that someone is born with a birth and is attached to the navicular. The Classification for accessory naviculars is by Geist: Type 1 is a bone embedded in the posterior tibial tendon, type 2 is attached to the navicular by a fibrocartilaginous connection, and a type 3 is …
Achilles Rupture: Operative vs. Nonoperative Treatment
What is an achilles rupture? The achilles tendon is formed by the gastrocnemius and soleus tendon and inserts into the back of the heel (calcaneus bone). The achilles tendon is the major tendon involved in bending the ankle down (plantar flexion) and allowing the foot to push off the ground. Why is it important to treat an achilles rupture? If …
Compression Socks or Stockings
What are compression socks? Compression socks are stretchable socks/stockings that apply gentle higher pressure from the foot to a lower pressure at the calf to promote blood flow and decrease swelling. Compression socks come in various pressure measured in units of mm Hg from light 8-15 mm Hg, mild 15-20 mm Hg, moderate 20-30 mm Hg, and firm 30-40 mm …
Stress fracture of Metatarsal
What are the metatarsals? There are 5 long, skinny bones in the foot called the metatarsals that connect the tarsal bones to the toes. What is a stress fracture? A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by overuse and repetitive activity. This occurs most commonly in runners and athletes. What are the risk factors factors? …
Webbed Toes or syndactyly
What is webbed toes? Webbed toes is a condition that people are born with when two or more toes are partially or fully connected by a flexible skin bridge or bony fusion. Webbed toes are seen in 1 in 2000 births and most commonly occur between the 2nd and 3rd toe. Tibial syndactyly is between the 1st and 2nd toe, Central …
Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythodysesthesia
What is Hand-Foot Syndrome? Hand-Foot Syndrome is a side effect of some cancer treatments. What are the symptoms of Hand-Foot Syndrome? Redness, swelling, tingling, burning, tenderness, callus formation, blistering, skin cracking, sores, severe pain. What is the cause of Hand-Foot Syndrome? Some cancer drugs that leg out of the blood vessels during treatment can cause the growth of skin or …
Toe Fracture
What bones make up the toes of the foot? The foot has 14 toe bones: 3 bones in toes 2-5 the distal, middle, and proximal phalanx. The big toe has 2 bones: the distal and proximal phalanx. What are the causes of toe fractures? The cause of toe fractures are trauma, whether by direct blow or impact. Most commonly people …
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 …
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 …