Photos courtesy of the Podiatry Institute, Tucker, GA
[ Angela P. Dominique ] [ Frequently Asked Questions ]
[ Frequently Asked Questions III ]

What are Bunions? Bunions occur at the great toe joint, but can also occur at the fifth (little) toe as well. Bunions are a misalignment of bones in the great toe joint (Fig 8.). Heredity is the main cause of bunions, which often form because of poor foot mechanics. If bunions are treated with orthotics (shoe inserts) before they become severely deformed or painful, the progression of the bunion can often be slowed. Severe or painful bunions must often be surgically corrected. The most common procedures involve soft tissue releases and repositioning of the bone by making a cut through the bone. Healing from surgery takes time and you may experience swelling for several months after surgery. Usually you will be able to return to work in a few weeks wearing a special surgical shoe, if your job does not entail a lot of walking or standing. What is a Hammer Toe? A hammer toe usually forms because of poor foot mechanics or because of an excessively long toe. Hammer toes are formed from a buckling of the toe joints and usually start out flexible but become rigid over time (Fig 9.). Hammer toes that are flexible may respond to orthotics (shoe inserts) and a change in the style of shoes you wear. You may find that hammer toes are tolerable if you pad the areas that come into contact with your shoes. If orthotics, changing the style of your shoes and padding the areas of friction do not help then your podiatrist may recommend surgery. Hammer toe surgery usually involves removal of a portion of bone in your toe to create slack and decrease the length of an overly long toe. How come I get Corns and Calluses? Corns and calluses are your skin's response to friction from either being caught between bone and shoe, bone and ground, or between bone and bone (Fig 10.). Changing the style of your shoes or padding the areas can often relieve corns and calluses. Be careful when using medicated corn pads as they contain acid that can cause a chemical burn on healthy skin. Your podiatrist can trim off the buildup of dead skin and show you how to pad the areas to relieve the pain from corns and calluses. If the calluses are on the bottom of your feet, custom made orthotics (shoe inserts) may remedy the problem. Surgery may be needed to correct foot deformities, which are causing the corns/calluses. What is a Neuroma? A neuroma is an inflammation and enlargement of a nerve. It causes burning, tingling, or numbness in the ball of the foot, which is usually aggravated by tight fitting shoes. Relief may be obtained by cortisone injections and custom made orthotics (shoe inserts). Often the inflamed nerve must be surgically removed in order to achieve relief (Fig 11.).