PiedRéseau Sherbrooke Podiatrists and orthotics

Did you know that this type of pain is often related to unbalanced feet and legs?

Foot pain is very common, and often localized in the heel. The most common heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The forefoot is also often a source of pain. This pain is usually located on the soles of the feet just behind the toes. The term “metatarsalgia” encompasses the majority of these pains, which can then be more specifically classified according to the area affected and the source of pain or discomfort. Morton’s neuroma, hallux abducto valgus (foot bunion) and hammer toes are some of the most common disorders of the forefoot. The condition that affects the top and central portion of the foot often results from osteoarthritis. This osteoarthritis is normally the wearing down of the joints caused by a misalignment of the foot.

Ankle pain can be caused by an old injury such as an improperly healed sprain or fracture and/or a functional foot problem. The onset of...

Ingrown toenails are a frequent nail issue that can be extremely painful and even incapacitating. It's identified by a toenail that grows into the flesh and punctures it.

Ingrown toenails cause irritation and, in the worst-case scenario, infection, resulting in painful toes.

As a result, it is critical to address the problem as soon as possible in order to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

Let's look at the causes, symptoms, and remedies for ingrown toenails.

An ingrown toenail can be identified by a variety of symptoms. Inflammatory redness, pain when squeezed, and, in some circumstances, blood or pus on the side of your nail are all possible symptoms.

However, keep in mind that an ingrown toenail has three stages;

• First stage: there is a small inflammation and pain when pressed.
• Second stage: we observe an infection and the wound becomes more visible.
• Third stage:...

A viral infection is what causes a plantar wart, which is a skin lesion. It can either stay dormant for years or develop and spread quickly. It's a contagious skin condition that affects you and those around you.

The HPV, or human papillomavirus, creates these lesions. Despite the fact that it is a harmless virus, it is recommended that you get treatment as soon as possible to get rid of it.

The plantar wart frequently appears as a tiny, rough, spherical, and flat lump. It will manifest itself in a variety of ways.

• Appearance: it consists of spongy, brownish or yellowish tissue with small black dots;
• Size: it can measure from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter;
• Pain: plantar warts can be painful, even though they are uncommon. Friction or a pressure point can produce this type of pain, which can become severe;
• Posture problem: the foot pain caused by the plantar wart can lead to a foot positioning...

Diabetic foot develops as a result of the neuropathy that comes with poorly managed diabetes. When blood sugar levels are excessively high for an extended length of time, it impairs a person's neurological system.

The injury results in a lack of sensation in the lower limbs, among other things. Peripheral neuropathy is the medical term for this condition.

Blood vessel constriction is also caused by poorly managed blood sugar levels. Wounds and ulcers form more easily and heal more slowly as a result of inadequate circulation.

If left untreated, these two factors explain the dangers of a diabetic foot. A diabetic foot sufferer may have trouble recognizing a wound or a temperature change. As a result, individuals may be unable to discern between discomfort that requires the attention of a podiatrist or other health care provider.

Diabetic foot is a severe disease that can lead to gangrene and, in the worst-case scenario, amputation. That's...

Corns, calluses and severe corns are formations of dead flesh under the feet. They can be embarrassing for people when they walk or exercise.

Often, people with delicate feet tend to suffer more. However, this foot problem is easily treated.

It is common for an individual to develop skin problems. However, it is important to know the difference between the 3 pathologies described below.

• Corn: this is a localized area of skin that thickens a lot. When a cluster forms, it bores into the skin and causes pain similar to that of a pebble in a shoe.
• Callus: a corn has several names, like callosity or hyperkeratosis. It is characterized by an accumulation of excessive layers of skin and can form cracks in the heel if not treated.
• Severe corn: these are also corns, but in their case, they are more advanced. They are painful, with a brownish center. They develop because of excessive pressure on the skin that has thickened,...

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition. A strain or break in the plantar fascia, the fibrous band that supports the arch of the foot, is at the root of this condition.

Heel discomfort is the most prominent sign of this condition. It will be felt from the first steps in the morning or after a lengthy period of sitting.

You can find plantar fasciitis symptoms, causes, and remedies are listed below.

A person with plantar fasciitis will feel discomfort when they first walk in the morning, but it will subside over the day. They will also experience discomfort after sitting for an extended period of time.

Plantar fasciitis can also cause the following symptoms:

• Pain when palpating your arch or when pressing on your heel;
• Standing or walking causes pain, which might worsen over time;
• Tension on the outside of the foot, which can cause compensating foot and leg discomfort;
• A condition...

The primary goal of plantar orthotics is to improve the function of your foot in order to correct various biomechanical flaws or posture issues. They are used to compensate for certain deficiencies in your foot. Because they are custom designed specifically for your condition, the orthosis is perfectly adapted to the shape of your foot to optimize its function.

In addition to relieving any pain you may experience, a custom-made foot orthosis is adapted to the morphology of your feet, and redistributes the pressure exerted on them. It can therefore be used to treat many pathologies and deformities. Remember that the health of your feet is important to be able to perform your daily activities.  

To ensure your orthotics treatment provides effective results, the podiatrist will have to evaluate you and design a custom casting of your feet. You will be cared for during all stages of the process, to ensure you receive the correct orthosis, which you can...

Cortisone injections, sometimes referred to as “cortisone infiltration,” are often a beneficial podiatry treatment used to relieve acute or chronic pain related to various musculoskeletal issues. Actually, cortisone is a hormone frequently used as an anti-inflammatory to relieve certain joint pains, rashes, inflammation or swelling.

Learn more about cortisone injections, an effective treatment with numerous benefits, but which must generally be used in the short term, with care and discernment, by a healthcare professional.

An ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) is an inflammation caused by a portion of a nail (usually on the big toe) penetrating the surrounding skin.

While usually minor, it is nonetheless a common nail problem that can result in pain and inconvenience in your daily life. If the ingrown toenail is not treated, it may lead to inflammation and exacerbate the pain in the foot.

Do not worry, however, as there are a variety of useful therapies available to help you get rid of ingrown toenails and get your feet back on track. Learn more in this article. 

Medical nail clipping is one of the most traditional nail care procedures. Nail clipping is a common solution for ingrown toenail problems that is performed by a podiatrist or a specialized nurse (assistant). Professionals in the field of foot care can customize a cut to your nail's condition.

Nail care, on the other hand, is more than simple nail trimming, as antibiotic creams or baths can...

Plantar warts are common skin lesions that can be quite unsightly. They are often harmless, although they can be infectious and unpleasant.

In reality, these growths on the foot might cause bleeding or create other issues such as irritation, pain, or infectious cellulitis in the long run.

Furthermore, if you are diabetic, elderly, or immunosuppressed, your plantar warts are more likely to cause problems.

Fortunately, plantar warts may be treated in a variety of ways to reduce the risk of infection and consequences. Let's have a look at those.

Your podiatrist can write you a prescription for painless wart treatment at home. The majority of these medicines are used topically.

Prescription medication care can:

• Treat plantar warts at home;
• Treat plantar warts completely painlessly.

However, this type of treatment...

• Is usually longer lasting;
• Must be...

Performed by a podiatrist, foot care includes many treatments and assessments aimed at preventing pain, reducing restrictions and promoting comfort. They can even be performed at home by a specialized caregiver.

A versatile professional, the podiatrist uses a variety of treatments to the benefit of your feet:

• Physical treatments;
• Pharmacological treatments;
• Orthopedic treatments;
• Surgical treatments.

A number of cases require foot care to be performed in a professional clinic. Therefore, the podiatrist and their team can provide you with a complete service to prevent and treat your foot pathologies. Naturally, all of this is done with clean, sterilized equipment.

Read on to learn more about the different treatment options.

Among the common foot treatments performed in podiatry you can find:

• The application of special creams;
• The prescription of...

Having your children’s feet evaluated by a competent foot care professional will ensure proper management of any foot pathology that may worsen over the years.

Thus, when taken care of early enough, it is possible to improve your child’s postural development by evaluating and correct any foot issues for the rest of their lives!

Comprehensive biomechanical examinations are carried out in a podiatric clinic in order to make an accurate diagnosis of your condition. It is thus possible to establish the best possible treatment plan. During your visit, podiatric doctors who provide advanced expertise will evaluate you.

A complete examination done in a podiatric clinic includes:

A musculo-skeletal ultrasound of the foot is a medical imaging technique used to examine pathologies that affect soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, nerves and muscles. Complementary to the clinical examination, a foot ultrasound provides an accurate diagnosis and is used to design a more structured treatment plan for patients.

A foot ultrasound is an imaging technique that does not use radiation, and is completely safe. Children, adults and seniors can all benefit from this service, regardless of their physical condition.

Easily administered, a foot ultrasound provides results almost equivalent to those of an MRI, ensuring rapid diagnosis and management of the condition.

Ultrasound-guided injection can be used to deliver treatment directly to the affected area.

It may contain an anti-inflammatory solution, similar to the cortisone injection in the foot.

Ultrasound-guided injections, however, are more typically utilized to guide a medical practitioner during surgery on minor foot structures.

This type of infiltration not only relieves pain in pathologies including osteoarthritis of the big toe, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, and other plantar ailments, but it also allows for viscosupplementation and hyaluronic acid injection into particular joints.

This treatment offers pain alleviation that is both effective and safe.

Discover what makes this modern process unique, as well as how it can be beneficial for you.

Podiatrists can work safely and efficiently with ultrasound injection.

Although such a guiding device is occasionally required for cortisone injection in the...

Minimally invasive and highly effective, the therapeutic laser is a modern treatment for foot pain.

The laser treatment performed in the clinic relies on technology that thoroughly heals the damaged tissue through photobiomodulation.

This method accelerates the body's natural healing process, similarly to ShockWave therapy.

The therapeutic laser treatment provides relief from chronic pain, acute pain as well as post-surgery complaints.

This treatment uses safe beams of light, also known as high-power laser therapy.

When these light beams hit the skin, they penetrate the structures at the surface. Adding slight pressure may also allow the laser to reach deeper into the affected tissues.

Once they have penetrated the epidermis, the beams of radiation that reach the tissue are absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin.

As a result, the patient feels almost immediate relief when this energetic phenomenon is then...

ShockWave therapy was first used to break up kidney stones.

This therapeutic technology, however, has been adapted to other medicinal purposes as well. Nowadays, podiatrists use it in the clinic to treat difficult-to-repair musculoskeletal injuries.Acoustic waves are at the core of the ShockWave therapy. Through a sequence of high-speed shocks, it strengthens the body and aids in the recovery of painful foot disorders. Most notably, it is used to treat plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spur.

In the case of ShockWave therapy, the podiatrist treats plantar conditions with a special device that includes an applicator.

When the applicator emits a high-intensity pulse, it is transmitted through the skin to the tissue that requires treatment.

By inducing microtrauma around the affected region, this technique aims to cause an inflammatory response in the body.

While it may appear counterproductive, it is a powerful...

Digital radiography of the feet is performed at a clinic. This technique creates a medical image using X-rays to view the foot’s bone and joint structure.

With just one visit, digital imaging allows the podiatrist to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis of any issues affecting the feet.

Nail culture consists of taking nail and skin fragments from under a nail that appears to be affected by a fungus.

The main purpose of this procedure is to rule out a diagnosis of various pathologies comparable to fungal toenail disease. 

Examples include eczema or psoriasis, which may have similar symptoms but do not require the same treatment as onychomycosis.

Minimally invasive, nail culture has many benefits. 

One of these is to facilitate the detection of a fungal foot infection that is difficult to treat if not treated early.

Learn how nail culture fits into the podiatrist's arsenal of diagnostic tools and how it can help in selecting the right treatment for you.

Some symptoms of nail fungus are similar to other skin infections such as psoriasis and eczema when left untreated. 

The following symptoms are similar to those of nail fungus and are sometimes observed in patients with...

Therapeutic taping consists of adhesive bandage that is strategically applied to specific areas in order to increase muscle tone or reduce pain associated with certain movements. Contrary to popular belief, therapeutic taping helps more than just for athletes.

While its use is widespread among runners and tennis players, therapeutic taping is also suitable for the general population. It is efficient for relieving very specific joint and muscle pain, however therapeutic taping cannot be applied just anywhere at random.

That's why it's important to trust a qualified professional such as a podiatrist to perform the taping. If you have been struggling with muscle pain or tension for some time, therapeutic taping may be right for you.

Taping is often used in addition to physiotherapy and plays a therapeutic role for many people.

This comes in 3 types: athletic taping, neuro-proprioceptive taping and finally therapeutic or compressive...

Podiatrists are trained to perform foot mobilizations. They are able to perform an articular evaluation of your feet as well as any symptoms felt. Following this evaluation, the podiatrist designs a personalized treatment plan to improve the articular architecture of your feet.

The podiatrist performs gentle and precise foot manipulations to help improve your feet’s functioning and alleviate your pain. You will thus benefit from optimal biomechanics. Your feet will be better adapted to your daily activities: walking, running, golf, etc.

Postural evaluation is a valuable tool for a complete and accurate evaluation. This computer-assisted system analyzes the light reflected by the body in order to detect any anatomical variations indicative of various pathologies of the feet and the body, without the use of radiation, waves or any other processes that may be harmful to your health. CryoVizion allows the podiatrist to conduct a preliminary objective evaluation of the patient and follow their progress while being treated with plantar orthotics.

Postural imaging makes it possible to:

• Help establish an accurate diagnosis
• Customize treatment for maximum benefit
• Show the benefits of a treatment
• Show how a plantar orthosis is helping your posture
• Measure the feet in a qualitative and quantitative manner

Foot digitization consists of capturing the imprint of the feet using various devices to establish an accurate diagnosis. This technique is particularly useful when it comes to designing custom-made plantar orthotics. 

2D impressions are taken using a podograph. A kind of pressure-sensitive cushion, a scan or a mirror, the podograph detects and shows a perfect image of the foot's plantar surface. 

On the other hand, the 3D scanning method requires the contribution of a three-dimensional sensor. It can accurately reproduce the entire morphology of the foot.

These scanning methods make it possible to conceptualize the foot and determine the source of discomfort extremely rapidly.

For the podiatrist, taking an imprint is both a diagnostic measure and a solution for creating highly sophisticated foot orthotics.

In addition to creating high-precision orthotics, foot scanning plays a key role in understanding postural...

It can be difficult to distinguish between a problematic and a healthy foot in a growing child.

Early detection, on the other hand, allows the podiatrist to react more quickly before the foot takes its final shape.

As a result, the prescribed treatments can be more effective.

This article will cover some of the podopediatric treatments available for children's foot pain.

Before prescribing any treatment, the podiatrist must ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the child's pathology.

They do this by using a variety of analysis techniques, including:

• The biomechanical exam
• The postural assessment
• A digital X-ray of the feet 
• Digital impressions in 2D and 3D

The podiatrist will observe the impact of the feet on the child's whole body using the aforementioned techniques.As a result, a child's evaluation allows for the detection of postural...

A stress fracture in the foot doesn't happen due to a single trauma, unlike a normal fracture.

Instead, it occurs in response to multiple repeated small stresses to the same bone in the foot.

While painful, this foot injury is particularly difficult to spot.

Therefore, to avoid unintentionally aggravating it, it is important to know how to recognize the symptoms and how to medically treat a stress fracture.

Read on to learn more about the stress fracture in the foot.

Predominantly found in athletes, stress fractures are usually located in the heel or midfoot.

Stress fracture in the heel: This part of the foot is instrumental in absorbing shock during stride. Therefore, it is not surprising that runners experience stress fractures in the heel.

However, the symptoms of a heel fracture can be similar to other foot problems such as:

• Talalgia
• Plantar fasciitis
• Heel...

Excessive sweating is a symptom of hyperhidrosis, a medical disorder that affects the sweat glands.

The soles of the feet have a high concentration of these glands, therefore they are more likely to be impacted by excessive perspiration.

Although there are various home therapies for hyperhidrosis, a more serious problem will almost certainly necessitate expert help.

Let's look at some of the treatment options for dealing with excessive foot sweating.

Electrotherapy and its influence on excessive sweat secretion are at the heart of iontophoresis's mechanism of action.

A typical iontophoresis foot treatment session goes like this:

An iontophoresis session typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes.

Patients who...

Foot pain can appear in many ways and cause many accompanying symptoms every day.

Thanks to the high level of the podiatrist's expertise, however, you can count on treatment that is completely customized to your needs and condition. These professionals possess the latest technology to treat your pain quickly and accurately.

It is the podiatrist's duty to keep up with the latest intervention techniques to get rid of your foot pain. Thanks to their continuous training, you can be sure that your feet are in good hands.

Discover the most important treatments that podiatrists use every day to remedy foot pain.

Thanks to technological advances in the world of podiatry, patients can rely on a completely safe and effective method of treating joint, tendon or ligament problems: ultrasound-guided injection.

Unlike in the past, when injections were performed rather crudely, this type of ultrasound procedure helps the podiatrist to act...

Often linked to mountain climbing and other winter activities, frostbite can also occur in anyone exposed to the cold.

Of course, most Quebecers naturally anticipate the onset of winter with some exasperation, but many have no clue about the extent of the damage frostbite can cause.

The extremities of the body are particularly susceptible to drastic drops in temperature, therefore special attention should be paid to the feet.

Read on to learn about medical treatments for frostbite on the toes and feet.

Frostbite, as a true cold burn, is usually treated according to the severity of the lesions it causes.

Two types are generally distinguished: superficial frostbite and deep frostbite.

Superficial frostbite results in redness and the appearance of small blisters on the skin.

Deep frostbite, on the other hand, numbs the skin and paves the way for more damaging lesions such as the death of...

Toenails that become thick, hardened, misshapen, or even yellowed as a result of moisture or traumatic injury can affect anyone.

To help with this type of inconvenience, several treatment options are available to the patient.

If you're dealing with deformed nails, dystrophy, or onycholysis, podiatrists will help you get to the root of the issue.

Let's look into some of the treatment choices for thick, misshapen nails.

The term "toenail deformity" refers to a change in the shape of the toenails as a result of trauma or infection.

Toenail dystrophy, on the other hand, has to do with texture changes.

The deformations of the toenails are caused by a variety of factors.

We may consider, for example:

• Fungal infections, like nail fungus
• Trauma of the nail plate, by crushing or cutting
• Shock trauma to the nail matrix
• Poor healing after...

Much like the ingrown nail, paronychia involves inflammation or infection of the cuticle of a toenail.

The inflammation of the skin around the affected nail is often caused by the bacterium Candida albicans (candidiasis thrush).

This results in a throbbing pain, redness and swelling of the affected toe.

If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to pus accumulation and infection that spreads further to the toe or even the foot.

Learn more about the medical treatments for paronychia available at podiatry clinics.

As mentioned earlier, when the foot contacts a candidiasis-like bacteria, it can develop an infection of the cuticle.

As a result, this infection can lead to the accumulation of pus under the top layer of skin.

In this case, the podiatrist may suggest treating the purulent area with drainage.

Usually drainage of the subungual abscess happens as follows:

The surgical excision of plantar warts serves to remove recalcitrant or recurrent warts (verruca). Surgery becomes necessary when conservative treatments fail to contain the warts, or if your condition does not allow treatment with pharmacological agents.

Plantar warts are skin lesions that appear as a result of viral infection, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV).

While they can seem benign and often disappear on their own, plantar warts can also become quite large if not treated properly. Furthermore, they are contagious to those around you and can become very painful over time.

Luckily, there is no shortage of treatment options that can provide you with relief, and podiatric surgery remains only a last resort.

Generally, plantar warts are relatively harmless, however, they pose a higher risk of complications for the following types of patients:

• Diabetics;
• The...

Common in podiatry, the biopsy is a minor foot surgery that lets the podiatrist thoroughly analyze suspicious lesions. In this way, the podiatrist can precisely identify the type of their patients’ dermatological pathology. The podiatrist can then outline a treatment based on the analyzes’ results.

In a foot biopsy, a small sample of the soft tissue affected by a suspicious lesion is removed to evaluate the whole, after local anesthesia. It is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

In particular, the biopsy of a foot lesion allows the podiatrist to assess:

• The extent of the lesion over time;
• Changes in size, shape, and color;
• The severity of the foot lesion;
• The diagnosis of the exact foot pathology.

As mentioned above, in case of uncertainty, biopsy makes it possible to confirm certain diagnoses, thus letting the podiatrist determine the appropriate...

An ingrown toenail is a very unpleasant foot condition that result from various causes. This section will help you assess the best treatment methods and discuss the advantages of surgery for an ingrown toenail.

An ingrown nail (or onychocryptosis) can occur when a section of your nail penetrates the skin of the toe. This phenomenon mainly affects the big toe.

Fortunately, surgery for an ingrown toenail can quickly put an end to redness, inflammation, sharp pain and possible infection. It allows you to avoid more serious complications.

Some people are more likely to suffer from ingrown toenails. These individuals may benefit from ingrown nail surgery to prevent their condition from deteriorating.

Those most at risk include:

• Diabetics: they must consult a podiatrist as soon as the first symptoms appear in order to prevent their condition from deteriorating. In the most extreme cases, an ingrown toenail can cause bone...

Soft tissue or foreign body surgery on a fingernail, toe, or foot can be performed by a surgical podiatrist when a foreign body has become lodged in a patient's foot. It can be anything, including but not limited to: glass, metal, or wood.

It can also be used to perform a biopsy or remove a lesion that has become too large.

In podiatry, a soft tissue excision is defined by any surgical procedure designed to rid the foot of a deleterious element, whether it is a foreign body, a lesion, or a tumor.A qualified podiatrist can perform this minor foot surgery directly in the clinic under local anesthesia.

Nobody is safe from the possibility of having a foreign object stuck in their foot, because the countless steps that we take every day constantly expose our feet to all kinds of small objects.

The expertise of a podiatrist is fundamental in determining the type of foot surgery that needs to be performed to remove the foreign object...

Foot cyst surgery comes to the rescue in case of persistent and painful swelling that restricts movement. It is a surgical procedure that helps slow cyst volume increase, all while reducing the risk of cysts coming back.

However, patients normally tend to resort to other treatments first, seeing as cysts are usually painless.

Cysts may appear in any joint of the body, including the feet. They are defined by an abnormal, non-contagious, and usually, benign growth filled with fluid. Sometimes they are congenital in origin.

In podiatry, cysts on the feet generally include the 2 following types: