Pain

Steadying your foot or leg with a cast can significantly limit your ability to move. However, even if a fracture and a severe sprain require forced immobilization of the foot, you don’t always have to stop moving completely. Here are some tips to help you keep going despite having your foot in a cast. Keeping…

Aging brings along a number of symptoms, like weakening muscles, blurred vision and a hunched back. In addition to sensory damage, this also affects the musculoskeletal structures of the body, including your feet. As you age along with your body, your feet and legs can give you a hard time. Here are the various effects…

Obesity is a growing problem in the world population, currently affecting 34% of Canadian adults. While it is common knowledge that this condition often leads to high blood pressure and circulatory problems, the mechanical difficulties experienced by overweight people sometimes go unnoticed. Still, the joints of the legs and feet must support the extra weight.…

Diabetes affects more than 1 in 10 Quebecers, according to the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. It is known to cause an array of problems like blindness and kidney disease, but diabetes is also responsible for half of all non-traumatic amputations. Before reaching such serious complications, however, other conditions of the soles of…

It is rare for a child to need orthotic insoles before the age of 3. In fact, due to the fact that the structures of the feet are not yet developed, it is difficult to determine if there are any issues with them. However, if your child is of walking age and has difficulty doing…

Your foot’s arch is supported by a fibrous membrane called the plantar aponeurosis or plantar fascia. This membrane can become inflamed and even partially ruptured if it is subjected to excessive or uneven stress. This is known as plantar fasciitis. Nowadays, it is among the most common causes of heel pain in Canada. If left…

Still a relatively obscure phenomenon, the discomfort caused by growing pains can be difficult to decipher. And yet, it is inevitable, because growth is an integral part of normal child development. Read on to learn 4 common myths associated with growing pains in children. It can sometimes be difficult to know when young children are…

A sprained ankle is a widespread injury and most people will be affected by it at some point in their lives. The majority of ankle sprains are mild, thus they can usually be treated in the comfort of your own home. Here is how you do this. For starters, you must be able to identify…

The bunion, or hallux valgus, is a problem that is more common in women, manifesting as a deviation and deformation of the big toe. This deformation of the foot can cause pain and difficulty in comfortably wearing shoes over time. While the bunion can begin as nothing more than a cosmetic problem, it may eventually…

Growing pains usually manifest in leg aches that often occur during the night. This pain can start as early as age 3, in certain cases. They can also affect other parts of the lower limbs, such as the knees, ankles or feet. This type of pain is generally caused by: A suboptimal growth rate (e.g.…

Most medical professionals will tell you that good musculoskeletal health directly depends on your feet. But who should you trust with the delicate task of treating foot pain? After all, there are various medical professionals who have the skills to identify what is wrong with your physical condition. Let's take a look at who offers…

Have you perhaps noticed a bump on the top of your feet, and it’s getting bigger and bigger? Are your feet getting increasingly stiffer, to the point where it’s becoming difficult to put on your shoes without pain? All of these could hint at the presence of a cavus foot. At first, this type of…

Do you regularly do a sport like running, walking, or skiing? Then you probably know that a great deal of your performance directly depends on your feet. However, your feet may have special conditions that make it difficult to perform your athletic activities. Such is the case of flat feet. This downward sagging of the…

The feet are rarely perceived to be the cause of joint pain. However, even a minor plantar deformity can affect your posture and undermine your daily comfort. Flat feet are one of the foot deformities that can cause lasting problems later in life. When pain claims your joints and you begin experiencing a lack of…

Whether you’re a runner, skier, or avid walker, healthy feet are instrumental to ensuring the best athletic performance. But when you’re dealing with a deformity like the cavus foot, it affects the entirety of your body. Cavus foot is characterized by a rigid and very pronounced arch. However, even if it changes your foot’s grip…

Taking care of your feet is primarily a matter of habit. However, when it comes to foot care, many of us have developed bad habits over the years. These damaging habits can often result in several limitations that hinder our daily lives, such as: Foot pain (Achilles tendonitis, heel spur, plantar fasciitis, bunions, Morton's neuroma,…

The heel spur, also called the calcaneal spur, usually manifests by affecting your plantar fascia. This bony outgrowth from the heel bone is normally painless. However, if you play a sport that is heavy on your feet, such as running, your fascia will experience increased tension and can thus result in pain. Learn the 4…

Have you been suffering from pain in the back of your ankle for a while now, preventing you from living your life normally? It could be Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis is a real sore for those who lead an active lifestyle, and it can be quite difficult to treat. To help you better understand the…

Gout is a form of arthritis that is particularly sensitive to metabolic changes. It can prove difficult to predict when gout will strike, seeing as this inflammation of the joints comes and goes of its own accord. But do not despair! There are some easy remedies that you can use at home to mitigate the…

For many people, running and cycling are essential activities for health and well being. However, they can also cause pain and discomfort. Achilles tendonitis is an example of such discomfort.  Do you experience tendon pain after playing sports? And does this feeling of discomfort seem to get worse after each cycling or running activity? You…

Gout (also called "hyperuricemia") is a form of arthritis (an inflammatory disease), often very painful, that primarily affects men aged 50 and over. According to the Arthritis Society, gout affects approximately 5.2% of men and 2.4% of women in Canada. Western countries are the most affected.  The most common form of gout occurs in the…

Sever's disease is a type of pain felt in the heel (calcaneus) that should be monitored in growing children, especially if they are active! Rest assured, this condition is frequent and benign. However, it can interfere with daily activities for several months or even years.  Of course, as a parent, you will never be able…

Reducing heart problems, preventing obesity, improving productivity—standing has many benefits. However, in some instances, working upright can cause stiffness or pain in the feet and legs. So, how can you reap the benefits of working on your feet without experiencing musculoskeletal pain? What follows are some helpful podiatrist tips to avoid discomfort. Despite the undeniable…

Diabetic foot is a problematic condition that can cause sores and ulcers. This makes the feet more vulnerable, especially among the elderly. If this condition is not treated promptly and effectively, it can lead to serious infections and, in some cases, amputation.  If you are one of the 880,000 Quebecers who are diabetic, you need…

Foot surgery becomes necessary in podiatry when treating foot pathologies that cause significant pain or deformities. The primary goal of surgery is to restore your quality of life and allow you to resume your activities without foot pain. There are several conditions that can lead to podiatric surgery. Let's take a look at the main…

Relieving plantar fasciitis often requires discipline. Indeed, this painful inflammation, caused by a stretching or a rupture of the plantar fascia, can be cured by podiatry, but also by exercises. These exercises strengthen the plantar fascia, the membrane that supports the arch of your foot. By progressively performing exercises, you can regain your mobility and…

Plantar fasciitis is caused by a stretching or rupture of the plantar fascia. This damage to the fibrous band that supports the plantar arch is characterized by pain in the heel and/or arch of the foot.  Fortunately, there are several non-invasive treatments available to help treat plantar fasciitis. Manual foot therapy and therapeutic bandaging performed…

Joint pain in the feet is more common than you might think. However, even if the majority of the population may experience it at some point in their lives, there are many misconceptions about joint pain.  Joint pain is usually a symptom of a more serious problem. Inflammation, infection or abrasion, joint pain in the…

Have you noticed a recurring pain in the back of your ankle? Do your movements seem to become gradually less fluid? It is likely that you have Achilles tendinitis. If the nature of your job requires repetitive movements or long hours on your feet, this inflammation is even more likely to be at the root…

It is a well known fact that muscle cramps in the feet can be as painful as they are sudden. You might think that the only solution is to wait until they subside. However, there are several techniques that can quickly reduce discomfort and reduce the incidence of cramps. Let’s see what causes muscle spasms…

A common injury among athletes, Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel. Both painful and limiting, this tendinopathy can make you experience a living hell.  It can even lead to a complete rupture of the tendon and require surgery.  It goes without saying that prevention is…

Ankle sprain is one of the joint pains frequently treated in podiatry. This condition occurs following a tear or stretching of the ankle ligaments. Ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect our ligaments. Ankle ligaments can be very delicate and thus vulnerable to injury. All it takes is one false movement to suffer a nasty sprain.…

Problems with the forefoot (palm of the foot) can be very painful on a daily basis. In addition to pain and inflammation on the sole of the foot (metatarsalgia), there are various other issues that may occur: Bone deformity Feeling of numbness Foot lesions Restricted movement If the palm of your foot is sore, misshapen…

Knee pain, also known as gonalgia, can be very troublesome on a daily basis. Indeed, the knee is an indispensible joint in almost all our movements. In addition, it is a complex joint composed of bones, meniscus, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Each of these elements can cause knee pain! Gonalgia can be caused by a…

Heel pain (also called talalgia) is one of the most common foot problems that podiatrists treat on a daily basis. In fact, no one is entirely immune to suffering from some form of talalgia during their lifetime.   Affecting Quebecers of all ages and backgrounds, heel pain can come in many different forms. Symptoms, causes…

Treating an ingrown nail at home is quite possible. And not treating it can cause consequences and increase your pain. That’s why it’s important to know a few tips to properly treat your ingrown toenail at home. An ingrown toenail (also called onychocryptosis) occurs when the nail pushes against and into the skin of the…

A heel spur (also called a calcaneal spur) can be the source of many foot pains. Although a heel spur may be benign and may not necessarily affect your daily routine, it is important to know how to detect it. In fact, this symptom can be a precursor to plantar fasciitis and thus become quite…

Many people suffer from frequent foot pain. However, there are several home treatments you can follow to relieve the pain. Regardless of where the foot pain occurs, it is possible to alleviate it, simply by listening to your body. Below are several home treatments for foot pain that will help make you more comfortable.  …

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament located under the arch of the foot, extending from the heel to the toes. A common occurrence, this inflammation results in a pain or sensation similar to an elongation, stretching or tearing. Some people can even feel pins and needles under their heel! Several factors…