Callus is an area of thick hard skin caused by excessive pressure placed on the feet. Callus forms to provide protection to these high-pressure areas. However, callus can sometimes become excessive, resulting in unsightly feet and pain. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre your callus can be removed safely with sterilized instruments once it becomes too thick, painful or ugly.

Corns represent an area of hard skin with a more defined area of high-pressure. When walking or when wearing certain types of shoes, corns irritate the nerves found in the deeper layers of the skin. This can cause a lot of pain. Corns can be located on various areas of the feet and there are also several different classifications of corns. The Chiropodists at the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre have the experience and skill set to removing (enucleation) and treating corns, making you feel better instantly.

A wart represents a viral infection of the skin caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Warts commonly affect the bottom surface of the feet and range from a single wart to several warts of varying sizes. Warts are sometimes confused with callus or corns and can be properly identified by our Chiropodists. Our immune system tries to fight this infection; but this may take several years. The biggest concern is that the infection can spread to other areas of the feet and also from one person to another. Plantar warts can commonly be picked up at swimming pools, locker / changing rooms and showers (areas where people tend to walk barefoot). The Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre uses various treatment options to quickly and safely remove the infection and provide appropriate advice to prevent re-infection.

If your toenail(s) have become thick and discoloured, it is possible that your nails are infected with a fungus. The fungus may infect only one toenail but commonly the fungal infection is found in more than one nail. Several treatment options are used to treat fungal nails ranging from oral medications to various topical medications.  However, proper reduction of the nail and minimizing the amount of infected nail is very important to get quick and effective results. Some practitioners avoid treating fungal nails because of the low success rates, but at the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre, we take the time to set-up a personalized plan with the appropriate treatment options to help get rid of the fungus and have had great success rates.

A very common complaint, heel pain is caused by excessive stress placed on plantar fascia (a fibrous tissue found on the bottom of our feet) especially at the attachment site on the heel bone (calcaneus). Excessive stress on the plantar fascia results in inflammation and swelling under the heel leading to a sharp pain after a period of rest or taking the first few steps in the morning. Plantar fasciitis is rarely associated with the presence of a heel spur and is commonly treated by controlling the way you walk with custom foot orthotics and appropriate shoes. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre, we provide a thorough patient history, biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to determine the reason for your pain. If custom foot orthotics are required, your feet will be casted using plaster of paris and a prescription to correct your foot disorder will be sent to an accredited orthotic lab to be manufactured. Once your custom foot orthotics have been dispensed, your Chiropodist follows up with you throughout the year to ensure the orthotics are working effectively.

Ingrown toenails can be very painful and can commonly become infected and swollen once the nail has penetrated the skin. Improper nail cutting, chipped toenails, fleshy toes, narrow shoes and/or highly curved toenails are common causes for ingrown toenails. In order to get relief and clear the infection, the nail spike must be removed from the corner. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre, this process is commonly painless. If your toenails frequently become ingrown, then your Chiropodist can perform a procedure to remove a small portion of the nail and apply a chemical to avoid the nail from re-growing. So, if you’re suffering from a painful ingrown toenail, schedule an appointment to have your feet assessed and treated in a safe and clean environment using sterilized instruments.

Our toenails can become thickened and difficult to cut for various reasons (fungus, trauma, poor circulation, skin disorders, etc.) Thickened toenails can become painful and are unsightly to look at. The Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre can cut and thin your nails back to a normal thickness to have better looking toenails.

Custom foot orthotics are designed and shaped specifically for your feet. Custom Orthotics are more effective at controlling your foot abnormalities than over-the-counter arch supports. Custom foot orthotics are implemented to help resolve problems such as forefoot, arch, heel, ankle, knee and low-back pain. Custom foot orthotics begin by your Chiropodist conducting a biomechanical exam and gait analysis, casting your feet with plaster of paris and then sending the casts along with an orthotic prescription (tailored to your feet) to an accredited orthotic lab. With advances in technology and materials, custom foot orthotics are not limited to bulky running shoes. Custom foot orthotics can now be fitted to dress shoes, casual shoes and high-heeled shoes. We work with you to ensure your orthotics fit into the shoes you like to wear and not force you to wear shoes you don’t want to wear. Schedule an appointment with the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre to determine if custom foot orthotics will help reduce your foot pain.

Children’s feet are continually and rapidly changing and developing. There are several problems that affect Children’s feet and, if implemented early, proper foot care can lead to a healthy foundation. If your child complains about walking, having tired or aching legs, walk abnormally or wear down their shoes abnormally, then an assessment may be required. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre, children are always welcomed to come in (with a parent / guardian) and have an assessment to ensure they have healthy feet as they continue to grow.

Bunions represent the abnormal rotation and alignment of the bones of the Big toe joint. Bunions result from abnormal biomechanics, heredity (our genes) and poor quality footwear. Hammer toes, clawed toes, corns, callus and arthritis can commonly be found associated with Bunions. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre, we focus on non-surgical treatment options to help minimize and accommodate this deformity. 

Most people refer to all small toe deformities as hammer toes. In fact, there are four variations of small toe deformities which include hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes and retracted toes. Each is determined by what is happening at the small joints in our toes. Deformities of the lesser toes can be attributed to inappropriate shoes, flat/high arched feet, bunions, systemic conditions (e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis), and a family history. These deformities can become painful in regular shoes and lead to corns, callus, blisters and even ulcers. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre we take a conservative approach at accommodating these various toe deformities and treat any associated corns or callus that are present.

Athlete’s foot is a misleading term because it is not limited to athletes and can affect any person. Athlete’s foot refers to a fungal infection of the skin that commonly occurs between the toes and on the bottom of feet. This infection can spread to other areas of the feet, hands and skin. The skin may appear red, swollen, cracked, have itchy lesions, burning and stinging sensations. Fungus thrive in warm, moist conditions and can be picked up in places such as showers, shared bathrooms, swimming pools, changing rooms and other peoples shoes. Having sweaty feet also predisposes you to athlete’s foot. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre the focus is on eliminating the infection and focusing on prevention so that the infection does not reappear.

Foot problems are a big risk in people with Diabetes. People with Diabetes must constantly monitor their feet and keep them healthy if they want to avoid any serious consequences.

With a Diabetic foot, an injury as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes reduces blood flow to the feet and legs making healing of injuries difficult. A wound that does not heal quickly is at risk of becoming infected. As a Diabetic, infections spread quickly. When examining your feet on a daily basis, the presence of anything out of the normal (redness, bruising, blisters, scratches, etc.) should be brought to the attention of your family doctor or Chiropodist.

Here's some basic advice for taking care of your feet:

• Always keep your feet warm.
• Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.
• Don't expose feet to very hot temperatures (e.g. fireplace / radiators).
• Don't smoke or sit cross-legged (reduces circulation)
• Don't soak your feet for too long.
• Don't use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet without consulting your doctor or Chiropodist.
• Avoid cutting nails into the corners and cut the nails straight across. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
• Use moisturizers on your feet daily but avoid getting it between the toes.
• Wash your feet every day with a mild soap and warm water.
• Wear loose socks to bed.
• Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
• When drying your feet make sure that the spaces between the toes are also dry.
• Buy shoes that feel comfortable from the time you purchase them. Look for features such as breathable materials that wick away moisture, a deep toe box area, seamless lining inside the shoe, cushioned insoles and a strong heel counter.
• Buy your shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen and measure your foot size (length and width) while standing NOT sitting.
• Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.
• Always check inside your shoes before putting them on.
• Avoid walking barefoot (even at home).

When the feet become numb (diabetic neuropathy), they are at risk of becoming deformed and developing ulcers/open sores. These open sores are likely to become infected as the immune system is also weakened because of Diabetes. Charcot foot may also develop and warp the shape of your feet. Off-loading the feet is very important to bring the feet back to normal and avoid amputation. If any of these problems are present, speak to your family doctor or contact the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre for an assessment.

Flat feet are a condition where you lack a normal arch at the inner aspect of the foot when standing. This commonly occurs in both feet but can be more severe on one side. Flat feet can be hereditary, be caused by abnormal biomechanics, weakened/ruptured tendons (posterior tibial tendon) and neurological conditions (Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy).
Flat feet can be flexible or rigid.

Flat feet can be the cause of various problems including heel pain, arch pain, ankle pain, shin splints, knee pain and low back pain. Flat feet require the support of a custom made foot orthotic to minimize the amount of pronation in the feet providing for better stability, alignment. Custom foot orthotics allow the muscles and ligaments of the feet and legs to avoid being overworked. Book an appointment with the Markham Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre to have your feet assessed.

Cracked heels or heel fissures are a common foot problem. Cracked heels are caused by dry skin and can become complicated to deal with when excessive callus develops around the heels. Most of the times cracked heels are unsightly, but when the heel fissures become very deep, they can become painful to stand on, can bleed and can become infected. Cracked heels are commonly caused by prolonged standing, being overweight, shoes with an open back (heels and sandals), medical conditions that predispose your feet to dry skin and various skin conditions. At the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre your cracked heels are reduced and recommendations are made for moisturizers that will keep the heels soft.

Our feet are subject to abnormal stress and injury when participating in athletic activities. Running can place up to three times the body weight on one foot and a poorly functioning foot can become overloaded. Common sports injuries and disorders include shin splints, tendonitis, sprained ankles, stress fractures, heel spurs, and arch pain. Shin splints occur due to stressed muscles resulting in pain and swelling of the lower leg. Tendonitis is often due to tight or overused muscles applying excessive stress on tendons resulting in inflammation.

Stress fractures develop when a bone is overstressed and its structure fatigues and cracks. Heel spurs form when excessive stress is applied to the plantar fascia attaching to the heel bone (calcaneus). Arch pain is often a result of muscle fatigue or poor biochemical foot structure (flat feet / high arched feet). A thorough biomechanical examination and gait analysis is often helpful to prevent these injuries and disorders. Proper shoes to fit the sport, exercises, and orthotics are helpful to reduce injury. Markham Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre is very efficient at treating your sport injuries involving the foot and ankle.

A neuroma represents an inflammation of a nerve located under the ball of the foot that innervates the toes. The nerve may become enlarged and pain symptoms occur when wearing tight fitting and/or high-heeled shoes. A neuroma is commonly caused by abnormal biomechanics, high-heeled shoes, Shoes that are tight in the forefoot and an abnormal alignment of the metatarsals (reduced transverse arch).  A neuroma may cause numbness, tingling, sharp electric pains that radiates into the toes and general foot discomfort.

Wearing accurately sized footwear and custom made foot orthotics are used as the first line of therapy to reduced symptoms and control underlying mechanical abnormalities that caused the neuroma. Other treatment options, if conservative treatments fail, include steroid injections and surgical removal of the nerve. Contact the Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre to assess whether or not you have a neuroma and work with the Chiropodist to eliminate your pain.