• Ankle Arthritis & Tendinitis
• Bunions
• Calluses and Corns
• Flat Feet
• Hammer Toes
• Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis
• Ingrown Toenails
• Neuroma
• Plantar Warts
• Toenail Fungus
• Trauma, Fractures & Sprains
• Additional Conditions

Ankle Arthritis and Tendinitis

Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, and most commonly occurs as a result of injury. Tendinitis can occur in any of the tendons around the ankle joint and cause ankle pain. Tendinitis occurs when the tendons, the attachments of muscles to the bone, become irritated and inflamed.

Arthritis means pain within a joint and therefore it is a very broad term that can refer to many conditions affecting the foot and ankle. The 3 main types of arthritis include:

1. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative or "wear and tear" arthritis. This results in inflammation, swelling and pain in the joint. Osteoarthritis progresses slowly and the pain and stiffness it causes worsens over time.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a system-wide disease. It is an inflammatory disease where the patient’s own immune system attacks and destroys cartilage.
3. Post-traumatic Arthritis can develop after an injury to the foot or ankle. This type of arthritis is similar to Osteoarthritis and may develop years after a fracture, severe sprain, or ligament injury.

While there is no known cure for arthritis, there are several treatments available to help alleviate the symptoms. Among them are anti-inflammatory medications, custom foot orthotics, custom made shoes, ankle foot orthoses, surgery, physical therapy and exercise.

Bunions

The term “bunion” generally refers to a joint deformity of the big toe, often marked by a bump on the outside of the big toe joint, and/or another bump on the second toe, and caused by abnormal contact with the big toe.

Calluses & Corns

Calluses are sections of rough, hardened skin that form on the foot, often because of irregularities in bone positioning. The term “corn” is used to describe a callus that forms on the top of the toe.

Flat Feet

Flat foot is a condition where the arch or instep of the foot collapses and comes in contact with the ground. Flat feet may be associated with pronation, or a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. Common complications of having flat feet are:

• Inflammation and pain in the ligaments in the soles of your feet
• Achilles and posterior tibial tendinitis
• Shin splints
• Stress fractures
• Bunions
• Calluses

The exact treatment will depend on the cause of the flat feet. Some common treatments are orthotics, ankle braces and surgery.

Hammer Toes

Hammer Toe refers to a deformity where the second, third, or fourth toe becomes unnaturally bent downwards. Hammer Toes are often treatable with conservative methods, but may become more serious and require surgery if ignored.

Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis refers to an inflammation of the tissue between your heel and your toes, often marked by severe heel pain.

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, Tendinitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or, rarely, a cyst.

Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. Diagnostic ultrasound studies, x-rays or other imaging modalities may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Once a diagnosis is made the appropriate treatment can be initiated.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown nails are caused when the nail is incurvated (turned in) and penetrates the skin. The improper trimming of the nails, tight shoes, or injury to the nail can cause ingrown toenails to worsen. Early and mild ingrown nails are slightly painful and red. Later, more severe cases result in red, swollen nail boarders which might pus over.

Partial removal of the corner of the nail usually gives prompt relief. if this condition becomes chronic, then permanent nail removal of the corner might be suggested.

Neuroma

A neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of the body. Morton’s neuroma occurs in a nerve in the foot, often between the third and fourth toes. The condition involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes. Morton’s neuroma causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot. Toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.

People with certain foot deformities — bunions, hammer toes, flat feet, or more flexible feet — are at higher risk for developing a neuroma. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or court sports. An injury or other type of trauma to the area may also lead to a neuroma. Surgery may be considered in patients who have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments.

Plantar Warts

Plantar Warts are viruses that reside in the skin. They are spread by direct contact and can multiply and penetrate deeply in the bottom of the foot. Topical chemical agents and debridement (scraping) is a simple way to take care of warts in the early stages. As the wart grows and multiplies, it sometimes becomes necessary to excise them and cauterize the base to prevent reoccurrence.

Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus is a foot disorder where the toenails become infected by fungus. It is fairly common, but can become a serious medical issue if left untreated. Kesler Podiatry, PC, is the only practice in the area to offer a groundbreaking laser procedure in the treatment of fungal nails.

Trauma, Fractures & Sprains

A sprained ankle is a stretch or tear of one or more of the ligaments found outside the ankle. Ankle sprains are incredibly common, especially among athletes, and can often be treated with rest and/or immobilization if diagnosed early.

While the term “fracture” simply refers to a broken bone, a stress fracture is a break that occurs gradually due to continued stress on a specific area. Like many sprained ankles, some stress fractures are treatable with rest or immobilization, depending on the severity of the fracture.

Additional Conditions We Treat