During the Middle Ages, clothing was merely a means of concealing the body. Then came the Renaissance period, where people sought to accentuate the human form not only in the arts but in the fabric they wore on their backs. Gone were the days of wearing a loose robe that had been so easily created from a single piece of cloth. People began shortening, tightening, cutting, piecing, and sewing swatches of fabric together in an eventually successful attempt to bring into prominence the contours of the human body. This, ladies and gentlemen, marked the emergence of tailoring and, as a matter of fact, the birth of fashion itself. It is not too difficult to imagine that with a growing demand for shaped clothing, came also a growing need for someone who could shape the clothes. First came the “cutter”, whose job was to make the patterns. Then came the “tailor”, who did the sewing.

Now, fast-forward a few hundred years, and you could find tailors in every town or city, sitting crossed legged in their shops, sewing away at their newest conceived design. Consequently the outside of their feet, especially the heads of the 5th metatarsals, would be rubbed on the floor with such vigor that it began to hurt. They would go on to develop prominences, or “bunions” on the outsides of their feet, which was simply the body’s way of protecting itself. This is exactly how the Tailor’s Bunion got its name.

Your next question, logically enough, may be how is it that you can have a Tailor’s Bunion if you are in fact not a tailor, and perhaps you don’t even sit crossed legged. The answer is again related to fashion: inappropriate shoe wear. Just like it’s cousin, the bunion on the big toe, a Tailor’s Bunion can form as a result of wearing shoes with a tight toe box. Increased pressure of the foot against the inside of your shoes can, over time, result in the metatarsal bone moving and ultimately the formation of a bunion. In patients with wide feet, a Tailor’s Bunion tends to be one of the more common complaints because even though these patients have wide feet, they still tend to wear standard sized shoes, which leads to increased pressure on the sides of the feet, particularly the toe joints.

Whether you have wide feet, you’re a tailor who still sits on the floor crossed-legged, or you have a Tailor’s Bunion for some other reason, the good news is that this problem is most often completely curable. If you have pain associated with your bunion, you can use over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers to help alleviate your pain. If your pain has persisted for a long time or if the drugs don’t help your pain, then your doctor may decide it’s time to recommend surgery. Wearing appropriate shoes is

another important aspect of treating a Tailor’s Bunion. These special shoes, or any shoe geared towards people with wide feet, can be very effective in avoiding the development of a bunion or reducing the pain associated with bunions. These shoes are best used in conjunction with bunion pads, and in many cases can make your everyday activities much easier on your feet.

If you have a Tailor’s Bunion, you should consult your local Podiatrist today to see what course of action is best for you to return to your regular activities, whether that be a physically demanding job, daily exercise or becoming the next big Design Star!

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          A Freiberg’s Infraction is essentially a temporary insult to the blood supply which flows to a growth plate at the far end of one of the long bones in the forefoot. This condition was first described in 1914, and although it was initially thought to be caused by trauma, it may also be due to increased pressure within the bone, blood disorders, irregular bone structure, surgery, or various other causes. It is most common in the 2^nd-5^th long bones, and most often affects girls in their teenage years.

          Patients who suffer from a Freiberg’s Infraction often report acute pain and swelling in the ball of the foot which becomes worse with weight-bearing activities. The toe or toes may also become more stiff and difficult to move up or down. The problem is not so much that the bone is not getting adequate blood flow; usually circulation is re-established shortly after the incident. The problem arises because a small portion of the bone does die and change shape. As blood flow is returned, new bone is formed on top of the older dead bone which combines to create an irregular structure in that area. The area in question is an especially important joint between the forefoot and the toes. Consequently, in serious cases the cartilage in that area may become damaged and even the underlying structure of the toe may begin to change shape.

          There are many different levels of progression of a Freiberg’s injury as well as multiple different treatment modalities. X-rays are typically utilized to assess the level of damage although in many cases they won’t reveal changes until later stages of the disease process. Regardless, if you are having similar symptoms for any reason it’s certainly not a bad idea to visit your local podiatrist in Chandler. A clear understanding of your condition, prognosis, and potential treatment options is invaluable.

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          Depending on the case, there are several regions of the foot where podiatric surgeons consider fusion procedures. One area is within the toes. If you try curling them you may notice that each toe has several small joints which allow the curling motion. When one or more of these joints is fused, it converts the toe to a rigid lever and helps eliminate any grinding or other disease process occurring in that toe. Some indications for this may include traumatic arthritis, hammertoes, a cavus or high-arched foot type, and other various deformities.

          Another possible fusion may include the area between the ball of the foot and the first (big) toe. These procedures may be done for several reasons including stiffness or arthritis in the area as well as revisions for a previous bunion correction or in response to dysfunction of a tendon. If this is done, the doctor will typically fuse the joint in such a way that its position is optimally placed according to your needs and lifestyle. Your X-rays and foot structure will also be taken into account when the decision is made.

          Yet another common fusion site is between the bones of the mid-foot and the long bones of the forefoot. These procedures are similarly done in cases of arthritis, joint mal-alignment, Charcot disease, instability, and in certain bunion cases. Often times, these cases are especially effective in creating stability and providing for a large degree of correction.

          With any surgical procedure, there are certain benefits as well as potential risks. The site of fusion as well as the means of fusion (usually screws, wires, or small plates) will vary from individual to individual. Your local Chandler podiatrist can help answer any questions you might have about fusions and whether or not it might be a good option for you. The post-operative regimens also vary; some procedures will allow you to walk 

          With roughly 52 bones in both of our feet, it’s easy to imagine that each of the joints in our feet must be able to work in a precise, coordinated fashion in order for us to stand and move without problems. This is something that’s easy to take for granted when we’re pain-free. After all, our hands also contain numerous bones and they don’t usually give us trouble, right? Unlike hands, our feet must bear the weight of our entire bodies with each passing step. Consequently, the result of dysfunctional foot joints can become much more devastating. In many such cases, fusing of the joint or joints in question is actually a very feasible solution.

          Depending on the case, there are several regions of the foot where podiatric surgeons consider fusion procedures. One area is within the toes. If you try curling them you may notice that each toe has several small joints which allow the curling motion. When one or more of these joints is fused, it converts the toe to a rigid lever and helps eliminate any grinding or other disease process occurring in that toe. Some indications for this may include traumatic arthritis, hammertoes, a cavus or high-arched foot type, and other various deformities.

          Another possible fusion may include the area between the ball of the foot and the first (big) toe. These procedures may be done for several reasons including stiffness or arthritis in the area as well as revisions for a previous bunion correction or in response to dysfunction of a tendon. If this is done, the doctor will typically fuse the joint in such a way that its position is optimally placed according to your needs and lifestyle. Your X-rays and foot structure will also be taken into account when the decision is made.

          Yet another common fusion site is between the bones of the mid-foot and the long bones of the forefoot. These procedures are similarly done in cases of arthritis, joint mal-alignment, Charcot disease, instability, and in certain bunion cases. Often times, these cases are especially effective in creating stability and providing for a large degree of correction.

          With any surgical procedure, there are certain benefits as well as potential risks. The site of fusion as well as the means of fusion (usually screws, wires, or small plates) will vary from individual to individual. Your local Chandler podiatrist can help answer any questions you might have about fusions and whether or not it might be a good option for you. The post-operative regimens also vary; some procedures will allow you to walk

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Osteoarthritis or “Degenerative Joint Disease” is the most common form of arthritis. Unlike Rheumatoid arthritis, it is not due to inflammation or to an autoimmune process. Rather, osteoarthritis typically results from the simple wear and tear that joints undergo in the normal progression of life. Over time, the cartilage which ‘pads’ the joint wears down until eventually the end of one bone starts to grind against the adjacent bone. As you might expect, this can be exquisitely painful and lead to structural damage within the bone itself. Eventually, inflammation along with weak ligaments and muscles can also become a part of the problem.

Multiple factors including genetics, dietary habits, and biomechanical issues may predispose one to developing osteoarthritis. A previous traumatic incident or a history of inflammation may be contributive as well. Typically, people tend to experience symptoms which progressively get worse towards the end of the day and are localized to a joint on just one side of the body (not both sides-as in RA). Individuals may also suffer from stiff or sore joints which oddly tend to flare up prior to a change in weather patterns. Finally, bony enlargements in joint areas are also not uncommon.

While degenerative joint disease can affect nearly any joint within the body, the ball of the foot is one of the most commonly affected areas. For this reason, podiatrists have lots of experience in addressing this condition. Thankfully, unlike many disorders affecting the bones or joints, osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed on X-ray and doesn’t often require an MRI or more invasive test for confirmation. This and other clinical findings can help your podiatrist to rule out other potential scenarios such as RA, gout, or fractures.

Once the diagnosis of osteoarthritis has been established, the doctor will discuss with you an appropriate treatment regimen tailored to your needs. This will typically include modalities aimed at pain relief and include conservative measures like physical or occupational therapy, management programs, and assistive devices. Various medications may also be administered to help with pain relief. Finally, more aggressive measures might include things like joint remodeling surgeries or injections with gelatinous materials to cushion the joint.

Adequate motion within the joint spaces of our feet is critical for maintaining our mobility. When osteoarthritis begins to compromise that motion, your podiatrist can help to maximize joint function and your quality of life.

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Turf toe basically results from hyperextension or an excessive upward bending of the first toe at the ball of the foot. There’s a major joint in this area with many important structures which can each be easily damaged in such an injury. This scenario commonly results when an individual’s foot-with the heel raised and the forefoot about to push off-receives a direct force down and through the ball of the foot. The end result is usually pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joint which, of course, depends on the extent of the injury.

The phrase “turf toe” has actually become somewhat of a junk term to refer to any traumatic injury of the big toe joint. In reality, it is a unique entity which separates it from other similar issues. For example, “sand toe” is a separate injury involving hyper-flexion or a downward over-bending of the big toe which is often seen in volleyball players. Turf toe actually ranks third in frequency behind knee and ankle injuries in football players, and though not as common as ankle injuries, it results in more missed playing time. The issue has become more prevalent over the years for several reasons. First, many sporting events now take place on synthetic surfaces like AstroTurf which have more friction and don’t allow the toes to adapt as well to various forces. Secondly, whereas older athletic cleats had a metal plate in the forefoot to limit excessive bending, newer models are generally more flexible (for speed) and less shock-absorbing.

Podiatrists typically address turf toe cases by first assessing the symptoms and possibly ordering and x-ray or an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. Based on these findings, they can classify the injury, give an accurate prognosis, and implement proper treatment. Mild cases may involve simple taping and plate splinting of the toe with return to activity in a few days. More serious cases may require the use of crutches or casting and may necessitate up to six weeks of missed playing time. Very severe cases might warrant a surgical approach to repair soft tissue structures, remove bony fragments, or provide other corrective measures. It all depends on the particular case.

Whether in sports or everyday life, traumatic injuries are certainly not fun. Thanks, however, to proper treatment and our bodies’ healing abilities, they can often be managed effectively.

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1. Infraction Distraction