Learn about specific foot and lower limb conditions, injuries, footwear and orthotic facts on the blog...

A bunion is a prominent bump on the inside of the big toe joint due to faulty foot mechanics and increased pressure on the joint. A shift of the big toe toward the smaller toes often co-exists with a bunion, this is called hallux valgus. Bunions are progressive - they can get worse over time without treatment. Bunions can cause pain and limit mobility, sometimes seen with inflammation, swelling and redness on the inside of the big toe joint. Improperly fitting shoes often ag

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis; it affects more Canadians than all others forms of arthritis combined. 1 in 5 Canadians are affected, and these numbers are increasing. OA is a progressive disease and can be described as a result of the bodies failed attempt to repair damaged joint tissue. Bones come together to form a joint; cartilage at the ends of the bones act to cushion against impact. Gradually, as cartilage breaks down, it becomes rough and fra

The most common site of arthritis in the foot is at the base of the big toe, and its incidence is increasing as the population ages. Having mobility in our big toe joint is especially important because it needs to bend with every step we take; a stiff big toe can lead to pain and difficulty walking. Those who repetitively and excessively load the big toe joint may be at a heightened risk for joint degeneration. Hallux limitus is the gradual loss of joint range of motion in co

Our bodies are pretty good at communicating; calluses are hard areas of skin that often develop in response to pressure or friction. Calluses indicate where we tend to bear our weight. Callus formation is the body's way of protecting the foot's underlying tissue against excessive pressure; a built in defence mechanism. Pressure can be due to an underlying cause such as abnormal foot mechanics, including bunions or hammertoes, or caused by mechanical stress, such as poor fitti

If you are experiencing forefoot pain, numbness, tingling or have the sensation like you are walking on a marble or a pea a Morton's Neuroma may be the culprit. The common plantar digital nerves run between the metatarsal (long) bones in the foot. They are responsible for giving sensation to the toes. A Morton's Neuroma most commonly affects the nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal bones, causing pain and numbness in the third and fourth toes. It can also affect the