What are Tailor’s bunions?

A Tailor’s bunion (also commonly called a bunionette) refers to a prominent bone on the outside of the foot by the little toe.  This bone is called the fifth metatarsal.  A Tailor’s bunion can be asymptomatic.  However, sometimes larger tailor’s bunions can be painful in shoe gear and with activity.  There may also be an associated callus that forms from pressure which may cause pain.

What causes Tailor’s bunions?

• Genetics
• Foot structure (flat footed, placing more pressure on the outside of the foot)
• Wearing too narrow shoes/high heels
• Tight calf musculature

What are treatment options for Tailor’s bunions?

Conservative treatment includes:

• Change in shoes (wearing more supportive, wider shoes)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
• Orthotics with modifications to offload the area of pain as well as put the foot in better alignment
• Injection therapy is an option to calm down inflammation

If conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention is an option.  During surgery the bone is cut and realigned in better position to reduce the bony prominence.  There are few different surgical techniques to correcting a Tailor’s bunion.  This is typically dependent on xrays, foot structure, and activity levels.

In The Colony. Little Elm, Plano, and Frisco, we treat patients with Tailor’s bunions with an individualized and compassionate care plan.   Click here to schedule an appointment with one of the podiatrists at Frisco Star Foot & Ankle Specialists!

If you suffer from tight Achilles tendons or plantar fasciitis, stretching the Achilles tendon is super important.  Below are some exercises that can help prevent injury and reduce symptoms.

Wall Stretch

1. Start by standing in front of a wall. Stand a couple of feet from the wall.
2. Lean forwards toward the wall and place the palms of your hands on the wall.
3. Take a step backwards with the leg you want to stretch. Keep this leg straight without any bed at the knee.  Make sure the heel is touching the ground
4. Lean forward into the wall and bend the other leg.
5. You should feel the stretch in the back of your calf on the straight leg. Adjust by moving closer or further to the wall if necessary until you feel the stretch.

 

 

 

Calf Stretch with Towel or Exercise Band

1. Start in a seated position with the knee straight.
2. Hook a towel or exercise band around your foot. Hold the towel or exercise band in each hand.
3. Pull the towel or exercise band so that the ankle and foot stretch towards you.
4. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 more times.
5. Perform 3 times a day.

Stair Stretch

1. Stand with the balls of both feet on the edge of a stair (or curb or step). Hold on to the railings or something sturdy nearby for balance.
2. Keep your legs straight (a small bend in the knee is okay too if necessary), push up onto the toes, and then slowly lower your feet to let the heels hang down off the stair. You should feel stretching in the back of the calf and Achilles.
3. Repeat this movement for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 more times.
4. Perform 3 times a day.

 

 

Plantar fascia Stretch

1. For this stretch you can use a tennis ball or a frozen water bottle. If you use a frozen water bottle, make sure to wear socks and not to apply directly to skin.
2. Roll the tennis ball or frozen water bottle back and forth under the foot from the heel to the arch.
3. Roll the tennis ball or frozen water bottle back and forth for 3-5 minutes.
4. Perform 2-3 times a day.

If you are located near Frisco, Plano, or Little Elm and are suffering from tight Achilles tendons or plantar fasciitis, click HERE to schedule an appointment with Dr. Heredia or Dr. Zellers at Star Foot & Ankle Specialists.

What are orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts that are placed into a shoe to help alleviate foot, leg, and back pain.  Orthotics can be prefabricated or custom made.  Prefabricated orthotics are purchased over the counter often at sporting good stores, running stores, or even pharmacies.  Although they may be made for certain foot structures or to help alleviate pain for certain conditions, they are not customized to the patient’s foot.  Custom orthotics are available in the podiatrist’s office and are made from a scan or a cast mold to specifically fit a patient’s foot and address the patient’s symptoms.  Custom orthotics can be created with certain features to help relieve a patient’s symptoms.

Why would I need custom orthotics?

Orthotics may be needed for a variety of reasons.  For some, orthotics can offload areas of pressure or sores spots.  For others, orthotics can help correct any malalignment or control abnormal motion.

Here is a list of some conditions that orthotics can help treat:

• Arthritis
• Limb length discrepancy
• Back/hip pain
• Flat feet
• High arched feet
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Bunions
• Neuromas
• Plantar fasciitis
• Hammertoes
• Chronic ankle sprains

 

What are they types of custom orthotics?

• Functional orthotics: These are the most common type of orthotics that we make for patients. They tend to a be a little more rigid to provide more support and correction.
• Dress orthotics: Not everyone can wear gym shoes all day. Dress/work shoes can be very fatiguing to the feet.  Dress inserts are made specifically to fit dress shoes (even heels) and provide comfort.
• Accomodative orthotics: These orthotics are made of a softer material. They are typically made for people with diabetes or severe deformities/arthritis.  These orthotics are created to reduce pressure to the feet to help prevent ulcerations.
• Sport orthotics: Orthotics can be made to help control motion and alignment in certain shoe gear such as cleats and golf shoes.

If you would like to know more or be casted for a pair of custom orthotics click HERE to make an appointment with our podiatrists at Star Foot & Ankle Specialists in Frisco.

What is Gout?

Gout is an arthritic condition in which we have an excess amount of uric acid in our body.  When we have large amounts of uric acid, the uric acid can form crystals that deposit typically in joint spaces but can also occur in tendons.  When this occurs, the affected area may become very painful.

What causes Gout?

When we have an excessive amount of uric acid in our body this means either our body (kidney) is not getting rid of the uric acid efficiently or not breaking it down effectively.  Uric acid is a byproduct from the breakdown of purines.  Here are some reasons/contributing factors as to why we develop gout:

• Hereditary
• Some medications such as certain diuretics and low dose aspirin
• Diet in heavy in food and beverages containing purines (alcohol, red meat, shellfish, organ meat)
• Surgery

Of note, gout is more common in men.  People with high blood pressure, obesity, kidney disease, and diabetes may be more prone to developing gout.

What are the symptoms of Gout?

• Severe pain usually localized to one joint (most commonly we see this in the great toe)
• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth at the affected joint
• Often gout attacks begin when sleeping, and patient wakes up with severe pain. We often hear even bedsheets touching the foot cause pain.
• If gout is chronic, there is a possibility for the development of a soft tissue mass. These are called tophi and are large deposits of crystals.

How to diagnose Gout?

Gout is typically suspected clinically when we have a patient that presents to the clinic with a red, hot, swollen foot that is in severe pain with no history of recent injury.  We may order a blood test to check your uric acid levels.  We will also take xrays to ensure no damage to the affected joint.  We may also attempt to draw fluid out from the joint using a needle to send to a lab for analysis.

How to treat a Gout attack?

• NSAIDs, especially stronger ones such as indomethacin
• Colchicine is another oral treatment option
• Oral steroids can help ease symptoms
• Depending on the severity, a cortisone injection into the joint is an option
• Avoiding alcohol, red meat, shellfish
• There are also medications that help reduce uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks
• If a large tophi develops, there is a chance for the need for surgery.

How to prevent Gout?

• Limit consumption of red meat, organ meats (liver for example), alcohol, and shellfish
• If you have recurrent gout attacks speak with your primary or podiatrist for prevention medication
• Stay hydrated

If you have symptoms consistent with gout or a history of gout and have concerns, please click HERE to schedule an appointment at Star Foot & Ankle Specialists.

What are bunions?

Bunions are bumps or prominences on the inside of the foot near the great toe joint.  Although we just think of a bunion as the bump on the side of the foot, there is more occurring than just that.  When a bunion develops, the big toe starts to angle or lean towards the second toe.  The large toe joint becomes out of alignment leading to the visible bump.  The medical term for this condition is Hallux Valgus.  Bunions start small and gradually progress with time.  Bunions are not always painful, however, the larger they become the more likely they are to become painful especially with wearing shoes.  Since the big toe drifts over towards the second toe, bunions (hallux valgus) can often lead to the development of hammertoes and calluses.

What are the symptoms of bunions?

• Pain at big toe joint
• Redness noted at the site of the bunion
• Pain with snug shoes/ high heels
• Numbness or burning pain as nerves can become entrapped between the bone and skin
• Stiffness

What causes bunions?

Bunions are typically a result of a person’s foot structure, which is hereditary.  Although genetics are the cause of bunion (hallux valgus), certain risk factors such as wearing ill-fitting, unsupportive shoes may lead to progression and worsening of the deformity.  Bunion deformities are more common in women and over the age of 60.

 

What are treatment options for bunions?

Nonsurgical options will not fix the bunion but will alleviate symptoms and slow progression.  These include:

• Orthotics to provide proper arch support and promote a better gait pattern. These will help slow down the progression of the bunion.
• Supportive shoes with a wider toe box to accommodate the bunion
• Bunion padding/shields/taping
• NSAIDs for acute pain
• Toe separators to take pressure off of the second toe
• Cortisone injections are an option to alleviate acute pain and nerve irritation

If conservative treatment options fail, surgical intervention is the next step.  There are many different types of surgical procedures depending on the severity of the bunion.   Prior to surgery, we will need to take x-rays to help in surgical planning.  Often these surgeries, called bunionectomies, require cutting the bone and realigning it as well as shaving off any prominent bunion.  At Star Foot & Ankle Specialists, we also offer minimally invasive surgery.  Minimally invasive surgery results in minimal scarring and often leads to a quicker recovery.

If you are suffering from bunions click HERE to make an appointment to come see us and find the best treatment plan for you!