The Northwest Extremity Specialists are committed to patient education. Fully understanding podiatric or orthopedic condition helps you make confident, informed decisions regarding your treatment and care. Although there is no substitute for an in-person appointment with a specialist, we happily offer our extensive online library of podiatry and orthopedic articles as a resource and service to our patients, as well as the general public.
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Relieve Heel Pain With Shockwave TherapyShockwave therapy can get rid of your heel pain safely and effectively. Shockwave is noninvasive and treats many types of foot and ankle problem and injuries.
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Puncture WoundsPuncture wounds are not the same as cuts. A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object, such as a nail that you’ve stepped on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that produces a long tear in the skin.
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Peroneal Tendon InjuriesThe two peroneal tendons in the foot run side-by-side behind the outer ankle bone. One peroneal tendon attaches to the outer part of the midfoot, while the other tendon runs under the foot and attaches near the inside of the arch.
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Tarsal Tunnel SyndromeTarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression, or squeezing, on the posterior tibial nerve that produces symptoms anywhere along the path of the nerve running from the inside of the ankle into the foot.
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Ganglion CystA ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word “ganglion” means “knot” and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin.
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Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken toes)Of the 26 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot). Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones are common and require evaluation by a specialist.
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Sesamoid Injuries in the FootSesamoid injuries can involve the bones, tendons, and/or surrounding tissue in the joint. They are often associated with activities requiring increased pressure on the ball of the foot, such as running, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and ballet.
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Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch. This results in flattening of the foot.
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Tailor’s Bunion (Bunionette)The prominence that characterizes a tailor’s bunion occurs at the metatarsal “head,” located at the far end of the bone where it meets the toe. Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, which occur on the inside of the foot, but they are similar in symptoms and causes.
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Tarsal CoalitionA tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection that develops between two bones in the back of the foot (the tarsal bones).
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Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)Most calcaneal fractures are the result of a traumatic event—most commonly, falling from a height, such as a ladder, or being in an automobile accident where the heel is crushed against the floorboard.
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GoutGout is a disorder that results from the build-up of uric acid in the tissues or a joint. It most often affects the joint of the big toe.