Lake Zurich Foot Clinic Podiatric Additional Conditions

Peritenonitis – this stage is characterized by localized pain during or after activity

Tendinosis ­– typically an asymptomatic stage that may result in a nodule, or know to swell at the back of the leg 

Peritenonitis with tendinosis - this stage may lead to a rupture of the tendon and it is characterized by pain and swelling during and after activity. 

As with all health conditions, Achilles tendonitis is best treated early in the development of the condition. If you are experiencing pain and/or swelling in this region, a consultation with our experienced podiatry professionals will give you the best chance for a full recovery.

In most cases, foot surgery is often chosen as the last-available option for conditions that have otherwise been unsuccessfully treated. Surgery may be necessary for several reasons, including the removal of foot deformities (e.g. bone spurs or bunions), arthritis problems, reconstruction due to injury, and congenital malformations (e.g. club foot or flat feet). Regardless of one’s age, foot surgery may be the only successful option for treatment for certain conditions.

The type of surgery one undergoes depends on the type of foot condition the patient has. For the removal of a growth, such as a bunion, a bunionectomy is necessary. If the bones in the feet need to be realigned or fused together, a surgical fusion of the foot is needed. For pain or nerve issues, a patient may require surgery in which the tissues surrounding the painful nerve are removed. Initially, less invasive treatments are generally attempted; surgery is often the last measure taken if other treatments are unsuccessful.

Ganglions are usually caused by repeated irritation that weakens joint or tendon lining. If you wear boots or other restrictive footwear, you may be more susceptible to this condition. Individuals with bone spurs may also find that the pressure of these bony growths can cause ganglions as well.

The symptoms of this condition range from tingling and numbness to pain. These sensations are caused when ganglions come into contact with and put excessive pressure on nerves within the foot.

Hallux Rigidus is a condition that affects the joint at the base of the big toe. If you suffer from this condition, you will notice pain and stiffness in the big toe. The symptoms often worsen while walking, running or performing other exercises and when the weather is cold or damp. Additionally, individuals with this condition may notice swelling and inflammation around the joint. If the condition worsens, the big toe joint may become painful when at rest and bone spurs may develop. Often to lessen the pain, sufferers will begin to limp or otherwise alter walking mechanics, which can lead to pain in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.

Heel pain can be due to a multitude of conditions including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spurs. Pain experienced in the ankle can be a sign of an ankle sprain, arthritis, gout, ankle instability, ankle fracture, or nerve compression. In more serious cases, pain in the foot can be a sign of improper alignment or an infection.

If you are experiencing pain or inflammation in the ball of your foot, you may have metatarsalgia. This condition is especially prevalent in physically active individuals as it may be caused by repeat impact on the ball of the foot while running and jumping. 

Symptoms you may experience:

Onychomycosis is easily identified by its appearance. However, there are similar conditions and infections that can cause the nails to host a similar appearance to onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is generally established by laboratory tests before beginning treatment. Treatments for this condition can be long, expensive, and have associated health risks.

Risk factors making one more susceptible to onychomycosis include: 

Osteoarthritis, otherwise known as a degenerative joint disease - is the most common type of arthritis. It most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine. However, it can also disturb the fingers, thumb, neck, and large toe.

Osteoarthritis tends to affect women more often than men. Most people that are 60 years or older have osteoarthritis to a varying degree. However, it has been diagnosed in individuals in their 20s and 30s, as well. 

Symptoms often develop gradually and include: 

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is the inflammation or overstretching of the posterior tibial tendon in the foot. The key function of the posterior tibial tendon is to support the arch in the foot. The tendon serves as a major supporting structure to assist the foot function while walking - however, if PTTD is present than the result is oftentimes an “adult-acquired flatfoot.”

Symptoms of PTTD will change as the condition worsens, but initially include:

Rheumatoid arthritis, otherwise known as RA, is a chronic disease. The disease causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. This disease can lead to long-term joint damage which in turns results in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

There is no cure for RA and frequent flares in disease activity occur spontaneously. RA can also begin to affect other organs in the body. However, studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, somewhat eliminating loss of movement, decreased ability to work, and potential surgery.

This generally refers to an inflammation of the sesamoid bones on the ball of the foot just behind the big toe. Generally, most bones in our body are connected to each other by joints. However, there are a few that are connected only to tendons or are embedded in muscle. These bones are called sesamoids. Because the sesamoids protrude down, underneath the “big toe,” they give these muscles extra leverage and power. This power allows the big toe to “push” us forward with extra force each time we take a step. Without the sesamoids, the big toe loses some of its power and force. 

Taylor’s bunions are a variation of the traditional bunion. This common foot ailment that is typically caused by continued pressure to the outside of the foot. In this case, the bunion is situated on the outside of the 5th toe. It causes the foot to rub against shoes and can create redness, swelling and even require surgery. Sometimes, even something as simple as eliminating the wear of shoes that are too small or tight can alleviate the problem.

Treatment of Taylor’s Bunions is fairly simple. Just by using padding and wearing wider, softer shoes can help the problem. Also, shoes can be spot stretched to make the area of the shoe a bit wider next to where Taylor’s bunion lies. This is typically done at a podiatrist’s office. Another treatment option requires applying Vaseline along with special wrapping which may be worn for a set amount of time. This treatment may resolve your symptoms and eliminate the need for surgery.