Foot pain related to congenital and acquired foot and ankle deformities are extremely prevalent today. Pain can be from flat feet or a high arched foot and associated gait problems, or from progressive deformities like a bunion or hammertoe. Our doctors are extensively trained to diagnose and treat the underlying deformity to help you function at your best. We often find that early treatment of an underlying problem can reduce the chance of surgery later in life. We want to prevent your problems from getting worse, no matter what you inherited from your family! No one should suffer from painful feet!
Common Foot Deformities
Cavus Feet (High Arch): High-arched, or Cavus feet, can cause problems! Many people with cavus feet have trouble fitting into shoes, and some develop other foot ailments, like hammertoes, chronic calluses, heel pain, and chronic ankle sprains. Cavus feet can be caused by heredity, the result of an accident, neurological disorders and other medical conditions, like Multiple Sclerosis, polio, or Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Treatment of cavus foot depends greatly on the underlying cause, so it is important to be evaluated for the right treatment for you!
Flexible Flat Feet: Millions of people have flat or low arches without experiencing pain, but it is the painful flat foot that needs to be addressed by a podiatrist! Flat foot is a catch-all term for a variety of complex foot deformities, and only a trained foot and ankle specialist can determine the severity of the deformity. Visit with your doctor to have your feet examined to determine the right treatment for you!
Hammertoes: A hammertoe is essentially a condition where the toe is bent at the joint. You can be born with feet that have hammertoes or you can develop them if, for instance, you chronically wear shoes that are too small, too pointy, or heels that are too high. We have many treatment options available for hammertoes, so don't delay in seeking treatment!
Bunionette (Tailor's Bunion): When you hear the word "bunion," you most likely think of a painful bump on the big toe joint. Did you know that you can get a bunion on the outside of your foot? This is called a Bunionette, or a Tailor's bunion. This condition causes the fifth metatarsal to deviate inward toward the other toes. Stop in to see your podiatrist - we can help with your Tailor's bunion!
Gout: Gout is a disorder that results from a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. This occurs most commonly in the big toe joint, ankle, or knee, however it can occur in any joint in the body. We've even seen it in an earlobe! Simply said, gout hurts so bad you don't even want a sock or a bed sheet on your foot, let alone a shoe!
Ganglionic Cyst: Have you noticed a soft bump on your foot? You may have a ganglion cyst! Ganglion cysts, also called synovial cysts, are benign, thin-walled, and fluid-filled cysts that can become painful. Many ganglion cysts resolve on their own. If your cyst is not painful, we have many conservative treatment options available, however if the cyst becomes worse, injections or surgical intervention may be needed. In any case, a strange lump or bump should always be examined by a doctor!