Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. If your question has not been answered, please feel free to Contact Us.
Q. 2 . Can I treat my own hard skin?
Q. 3. What are corns and calluses?
Q. 4. How do I cut my toe nails?
Q. 8. What shoes do you recommend?
Q. 9. What special care do diabetics require?
Q. 10. What about my children's feet?
Q. 11. What special care do athletic people need?
Q. 12. How do I make sure my ski-boots fit?
Q. 13. How do I get comfort in my ice skates?
Q.14. Does OHIP cover podiatry care?
Q.15. How far does an average person walk?
A Parent's Guide to Children's Foot Health
This is a device made from a plaster cast of the foot and is form-fitted to the foot. It is worn comfortably in most types of shoes. Its purpose is to prevent abnormal motion of the foot, while allowing for normal motion. An orthosis is designed to control the mechanics of the foot to a precise degree - from the heel contact phase of walking through to mid- stance and toe-off phase.
Q. 2 . Can I treat my own hard skin?
Never use "corn cures", or other harsh commercial medications for any foot problem without the approval of your podiatrist.
Some preprations contain acids which can cause serious damage or infection. This is especially true among diabetics and those with impaired circulation.
Q. 3. What are corns and calluses?
These are accumulated layers of hard skin at points of pressure and should be treated by a podiatrist. Usually a mechanical foot imbalance is present, which causes these problems. Never cut a corn or callous with a razor, scissors, or any other instrument, nor pick at them with your fingernails. Again, never apply "corn cures" or other medication to them.
Q. 4. How do I cut my toe nails?
Your toe nails should be even with the ends of your toes. Trim or file your nails straight-across. Do not cut into the corners, and do not cut a "V" in the free end of the nail. If your nails are especially thick, file them gently with an emery board, after your foot bath. If they are ingrown or infected, see a podiatrist for treatment.
These are often mistaken for calluses. A wart is a skin growth which has a blood and nerve supply of its own. Warts are caused by a virus, and may be quite painful. They tend to spread if left untreated. Again, professional attention should be sought.
This is a fungus infection which can cause itching or burning. Fungus develops and spreads in warm moist areas. Always keep your feet dry! Daily bathing should be followed by drying gently and carefully between the toes. Use convenient drying foot sprays and powders to help prevent athlete's foot.
These are misaligned big toe joints which become swollen and tender. The basic cause is weakness of the structure of the foot. Heredity and ill-fitting shoes may also be influencing factors. A bunion deformity can be prevented from progressing. The earlier it can be treated, the better.
Q. 8. What shoes do you recommend?
Wear properly fitted shoes with round toe style, and a fairly high toe box which will not cause pressure on the toes. Wear the lowest heel with which you feel comfortable. Consider crepe or rubber soled shoes to reduce the jarring forces of concrete, terrazo and other hard surfaces.
Q. 9. What special care do diabetics require?
If you have poor circulation or diabetes, avoid circular garters. Do not expose your feet to very hot or cold water and do not sit with crossed legs. Never attempt to cut corns or callouses. Do not smoke, as this seriously hinders blood circulation to the legs and feet.
Q. 10. What about my children's feet?
Naturally you want your child to be strong and healthy and your podiatrist will lead you and your child to healthy feet. Those little developing feet which will have to carry the entire weight of the body through a lifetime of standing, walking and running, are composed of 52 bones. This is 25% of all bones in the body, plus, there are many muscles, tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins and nerves in your feet. Because the feet of young children are soft and pliable, abnormal pressures can easily cause deformities.
The Canadian Podiatry Association points out that many adult foot ailments have their origin in childhood and that periodic professional attention and foot care when needed, can minimize problems in later life.
A Parents Guide to Children's Foot Health
Do not bind covers over your baby's feet. It restricts movement and can retard normal development.
Provide an opportunity for exercising the feet. Lying uncovered enables the baby to kick and perform other related motions which prepare the feet and legs.
Change baby's position several times a day. Lying too long in one spot, especially on the stomach, can put excessive strain on the feet and legs.
Once children begin to walk, the feet should be examined by a podiatrist.
Check shoe size periodically to ensure that feet have room to grow, and watch for excessive shoe wear in any one area.
Do not hand down shoes from one child to another. Each pair of feet has its own requirements.
Walking is the best of all foot exercises. Observe your child's walking habits. If you see toeing-in or toeing-out, knock knees, or other gait problems, professional attention is needed.
Night leg cramps are usually due to foot fatigue and muscle imballance. So-called "growing pains" frequently are symptoms of abnormal foot mechanics.
Rembember that lack of complaint by a youngster is not a reliable sign. The bones of growing feet are so flexible that they can be twisted and distorted without the child being aware.
Be very careful about employing home remedies against fungus infections or warts on the foot. Strong preparations can burn or otherwise hurt the skin.
Consult a podiatrist whenever you have questions about your child's foot health.
Q. 11. What special care do athletic people need?
The beneficial effects of sports activity on the heart and lungs and overall conditioning are well documented. The positive mental effects have been found to be most desirable as well. In return, sports activities demand much of the body's stamina and agility. Many parts of the body undergo considerable stress during play, and the feet, which provide all-important mobility, are high on this overworked list!
Neither serious athletes nor "weekend" athletes can fully avoid an injury list, which includes: ankle sprains, pulled muscles and ligaments, tendonitis, stress fractures, heel spurs, bone bruises, calluses, blisters and others.
The following is a list of do's and don't's for persons engaging in physical activity:
Do specific flexibility and warm up exercises prior to your sport. On completion of the sport, stretch and cool down gently
Strengthen surrounding muscles that are not used very much in the engaged sport.
Powder your feet and shoes. This will absorb moisture and reduce friction.
Wear cotton or wool socks, to enable the feet to breathe more easily.
If you have a blister or a friction problem, use vaseline and gauze.
Always use the right shoe for the right sport.
Don't try to run through pain.
Don't try to do too much too soon. Build up your level or duration gradually.
Never take pills to mask pain.
Don't attempt a 100% workout in the following conditions:
a. Extreme conditions of heat or humidity.
b. After a full meal
c. If you have a fever.
d. If you are just back from a layoff or injury.
Use "R.I.C.E" for treatment of injuries.
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
Q. 12. How do I make sure my Ski-boots fit?
Properly fitted ski-boots are essential. They should fit snugly, but not uncomfortably. Toes should wriggle, but the heel, instep, and the ball of the foot should be effectively immobilized. Fit comes first. If a boot is not comfortable when you try it on in the shop, you will not ski well.
Q. 13. How do I get comfort in my ice skates?
For adults and children, skates should be tried on over skating socks--preferrably a combination of orlon, cotton and nylon.
The heel should be pulled back to the heel cup of the boot, and the toe should come close to the front. A boot shouldprovide excellent support, particularly in the arch in order to avoid foot fatigue and injury.
Finally, skaters with structural imbalances will function better with the aid of balancing insoles or orthotic foot devices. We, as sports-oriented podiatrist can be helpful if a skater has reason to suspect structural imbalances.
Q.14. Does OHIP cover podiatry care?
OHIP will cover a portion of your visit, but does not provide fee-for-service for podiatry care. Therefore, the balance on your account is the amount you are responsible to pay. Private insurance carriers can only reimburse if the plan allows for this coverage and if the service is not partially covered by a provincial plan.
Q.15. How far does an average person walk?
The average person walks an average of 184,000 km during their lifetime.