Our practice is dedicated to providing quality foot and ankle care to all ages of patients. We believe that prompt diagnosis, early intervention and prevention are essential for the care and treatment of your feet.
We spend quality time with each patient in order to better understand your foot care needs, and to recommend the best course of treatment. We work closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure the most effective treatment plan.
We provide treatment for relief of foot pain and problems of all kinds, including:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Bunions
- Callus/Corns
- Diabetic Foot Problems
- Diabetic Wound Care
- Fallen Arches
- Flat Feet
- Foot and Ankle Injuries
- Fungal infections of the nail and skin
- Geriatric Orthopedic Conditions
- Hammer Toes
- Heel Pain/Plantar Fasciitis
- Hip Pain
- Ingrown Toenails
- In-Toeing
- Knee Pain/Patello Femoral Syndrome
- Paediatric Orthopedic Conditions
- Plantar Warts
- Postural Pain (lower back)
- Shin Splints
- Thick nails
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How we do this:
- Insoles and padding
- Custom foot orthotics
- Ingrown toenail surgery
- Wart treatments
- Reduction of thick nails and callus
- Prescrition of support socks
- Prescription of Medications
- Self-care advice
- Education
- Footwear advice
- Preventive care
- Diabetes foot assesment
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What is a Foot Orthotic?
A foot orthotic is an insert, molded to the shape of the foot, and designed to be worn inside shoes.The orthotic supports or corrects the function of the foot and leg. Since the feet are our foundation, orthotics also help to support the back and the whole body.
Orthotics can be accommodative or functional. Accommodative othotics are used to relieve pain and pressure from fixed deformities such as those caused by arthritis and injury. Functional orthotics are used to reposition the feet, to alter foot and leg position and to improve posture. Some orthotics may be a combination, they are functional, but also accommodate for a deformity.
The materials your orthotics are made of will depend on your foot problem, your weight, your activities and your footwear. Your foot specialist will assess all these aspects at your first visit and will prescribe the best orthotic for you.
What many people do not know, is that making and dispensing orthotics is not regulated. Anyone can set up shop making orthotics without any formal training in foot assessment. To be sure you are getting a correct diagnosis and the right orthotic, be sure to see a registered foot specialist (Chiropodist/Podiatrist)
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Our Foot Orthotics:
At Life Source we can provide you with fully custom made foot orthotics, or can modify over-the-counter insoles depending on your foot condition and your budget.
Orthotics are covered by most extended health insurance plans if you have a prescription from your foot specialist or family doctor.
Custom made orthotics are made from plaster-of-paris casts. This is considered the "gold-standard" for taking a 3D impression of the feet.
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What conditions do orthotics treat?
Orthotics can be used to treat many foot, leg, back and postural problems. Here are a few of the more common conditions they are used for:
- Plantar fasciitis/ heel pain
- Pronated or in-rolling feet and ankles
- Shin splints
- Low back pain/sciatica
- Bunion pain
- Corns
- Metarsalgia
- Morton's Neuroma
- Chronic sports injuries in the leg
- Patello-femoral syndrome
- Childhood in-toeing
- Leg length differences
Pronated Feet
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Fungal Infections
Athlete's foot (also known as ringworm of the foot and tinea pedis) is an infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, cracks in the skin and sometimes, itchiness of affected areas. It is caused by fungi and is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or pool decks.
Fungal infections of the feet are common. Any one can become infected. Approximately 45 per cent of the general population and nearly 50 per cent of people over age 70 have fungal nails. Nail infections are rare in children. Toenails are seven times more likely to be involved than fingernails.
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Athletes Foot
Fungal nails
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Watch out for these risk factors:
- Communal bathing
- Saunas/pools
- Spas
- Sporting activities
- Very sweaty or very dry feet
- Closed footwear
- Damaged nails by trauma
- Conditions changing nails e.g. Psoriasis
- Genetic susceptibility
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems)
- Cleaning around the nails with contaminated tools
Treatment
Athletes foot is usually easy to treat with topical anti-fungal creams. If you have tried an over-the-counter medication and it has not helped, we can prescribe a medication which may be more effective.
Fungal infections of the nail are more difficult to treat. Fungus tracks between the layers of the nail and onto the nail bed, where it is difficult for creams or sprays to penetrate.
Because toenails grow very slowly (about 12-18 months for a full nail to grow out), whatever treatment you choose, it will take several months until you see a significant improvement.
Oral anti-fungal medications can be helpful, but do have side effects. Most people prefer to start treating fungal toenails by having their foot specialist thin down the nail to expose the fungus and increase the effectiveness of any treatment applied. An oil-based, or laquer-based nail solution can then be used. We can provide you with the oil-based solution called Formula-3, or can prescribe the laquer.
Formula-3 is a great way to start treatment of fungal nails. It is easy to apply and less expensive than many other treatments. It also has a money back guarantee.
If you are prone to fungal infections, dry your feet well after bathing, especially between the toes, and use anti-fungal spray or powder in your footwear. Take care not to share towels with others in your household.
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Ingrown Toenails
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
- Heredity. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.
- Trauma. Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.
- Impropper trimming. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.
- Tight footwear. Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short.
- Nail Conditions. Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections.
- Toxins. Smoking, chemotherapy and some other types of medications can affect the blood supply to the nails bed and cause the nail to grow thicker or curved.
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Treatment
If an ingrown nail is minor, or caught in the early stages, it can often be cleared up with a single office treatment and advice on care at home. If it is more serious, it may require nail surgery.
Nail surgery is done under local anesthetic (freezing) in the office. Nail surgery may be partial or total. Most ingrown toenails need only partial removal. With a partial nail removal, just the side of the nail causing the problem is removed, leaving the nail permanently narrower. Occassionally, a total nail removal is necessary - this is done if the whole nail is thickened or deformed.
Partial Nail Removal
If an ingrown nail is infected, antibiotics may be needed.
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