Bunions are painful bone deformities at the base of the big toe. When bones in the foot are misaligned, the joint in the toe grows larger, creating a protuberance over time. This can cause constant pain from rubbing against shoes, which in turn, irritates the joint resulting in a larger bump.

If treated early, bunions can be corrected. If you suspect a bunion forming, seek medical advice as soon as possible. If left untreated, the big toe can shift sideways into other toes (hammertoe), causing more problems and discomfort.

Since bunions are a bone deformity, they will not heal by themselves. Treatments include protective padding, removing calluses, wearing custom fitted shoes, steroid injections for painful inflammation, orthotic devices to slowly correct alignment and/or slow deformity, exercises, and splints.

Depending on the size of the bunion and pain caused, surgery may be advised to remove the bunion.

Hammertoe is a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes begin to bend outside of their normal alignment. Pressure can develop as you wear shoes resulting in pain and other symptoms.

Symptoms include pain, inflammation and redness. Corns and calluses (a buildup of skin) may form on the toe, between two toes or on the ball of the foot. They are caused by constant friction against the shoe. They may be soft or hard, depending on their location. In more severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may form.

Hammertoes typically begin with mild symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In early stages, hammertoes are often flexible which may be controlled using minimal treatment, such as padding and removal of the corns. In office procedures surgery may be performed to treat a flexible hammertoe.

If left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid/firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring bone surgery.

Flat feet, a common condition, is caused by an undeveloped arch of the foot where the ankles cave inward. While most people with flat feet have little to no issues, some may develop what is called painful progressive flatfoot. This happens when the tendon supporting the arch becomes inflamed, stretched, or torn. If left untreated, it can cause chronic or debilitating lifelong pain.

Overpronation, which leads to flat feet, can contribute to development of other conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis.

Treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ice, physical therapy, bracing, taping, and orthotics. Early treatment is important to prevent chronic problems.

Heel pain is one of the most common complaints from patients. Common causes of heel pain include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, Haglund’s deformity, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and fractures.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue in the arch that stretches from the base of the toes to where it attaches to the heel bone. A heel spur may or may not show up on an x-ray. Symptoms include tightness and a sharp pain especially with first steps in the morning and after a period of sitting.

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, typically caused by overuse of the tendon during physical activity. This can include hill running, stair climbing, improper footwear, trauma caused by the sudden contraction of the calf muscle, etc. This pain is located at the back of the heel.

Haglund's Deformity is a bony enlargement of the back of the heel bone. Sometimes it's called “pump bump” because the deformity often occurs in women who wear pumps.

Treatments for heel pain include anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, stretching exercises, steroid injections, orthotics, bracing and physical therapy. Surgical treatment is available with failed conservative care.

Neuromas are enlarged, benign growth of nerves, typically found between the third and fourth toe. Enlargement is caused by tissue rubbing against the nerves, oftentimes caused by poorly fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure.

Symptoms may include pain in the ball of the foot, sensation of ‘walking on a ball’, burning, or numbness.

Treatments include wearing accommodative shoes, orthotics, and steroid injections. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.

Arthritis is inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints. Each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted with arthritis. Arthritis (most commonly osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) can be painful, debilitating, and frustrating. Swollen, stiff joints and “flare-ups” after periods of activity can make daily life difficult.

The feet are more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, because of the tremendous weight-bearing load on the feet. Symptoms include early morning stiffness, limitation in joint motion, recurring pain, redness, warmth, and overlying skin changes.

In addition to treating the underlying condition, treatments include wearing accommodative shoes, orthotics, and steroid injections. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to remove arthritic bone and/or fuse/replace joints that are painful.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints that can lead to sudden, intense pain.