Why Corns Aren't Normal

Corns and calluses are so common almost every person on this earth will experience one at some point in their life. Calluses are most often seen on the hands, but also form on the bottom of the feet and other various places. Corns are calluses that are seen on the tops and sides of the toes. These areas of thickened skin caused by focally increased pressure and rubbing are indeed benign. To people that use their hands for a living, calluses can actually provide extra cushion and blister prevention. Considering this, the prevalence of corns and calluses, and their often harmless etiologies many people assume it is normal to have them on their feet, like they do on their hands. However, this is simply not true. As aforementioned, corns and calluses are developed due to increased pressure and friction. While calluses on the hands often indicate manual labor or activities like rowing and lifting weights, on the feet the story is very different. While some people will wear gloves to prevent callus formation on the hands, many people do not, explaining the calluses. In contrast to this, the great majority of people wear socks and shoes during labor and exercise, yet how can areas of hyperkeratosis (thickened skin) be explained if they have a protective barrier (socks and shoes) in place? This is due to an abnormal foot architecture, or poorly fitting footwear.

A classic example of this abnormal architecture is the hammertoe. The actual shape of the toe has changed due to a few different possibilities causing the toes to become contracted in the shoebox, encouraging rubbing, and overtime corn formation. Hammertoes certainly are not the only cause of corns. They are simply one commonly encountered example of an underlying foot problem that has caused an excess of skin formation that may often be disregarded as normal. The recommendation here is to avoid the home remedies that simply treat the corn or callus, and not the underlying cause of the hyperkeratosis itself. A lot of resources can be consumed without even treating the cause.  If you have corns or calluses on your feet and/or toes make an appointment with a Podiatrist like Dr. Michael Garvin. He can evaluate your feet and your footwear, determine the actual etiology, and set up a treatment plan with you.

The following is a short list of conditions that commonly cause corns and calluses on the feet and toes:

Claw toes
Hammer toes
Mallet toes
Curly toes
Bunions
Tailor’s bunions
Pes Cavus
Pes Planus
Haglund’s deformity
Talipes Equinus

The Significance of Biomechanics

Biomechanics and a patient's foot health have a strong correlation. Biomechanics can be defined as the science of internal and external forces and their affect on the human body. An example of an internal force would be an individual's body weight. An example of an external force would be the ground's forces upwards on the foot during an individual's gait. 

 

Biomechanics have a strong correlation with an individual’s foot health because these aforementioned forces must be compensated for, so that the human foot properly adapts to this energy. If the foot is not able to adapt to these forces and improperly absorbs the energy created from gait, many pathological manifestations can occur. To name a few of the possible conditions derived from improper biomechanics: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, bunions, hammer toes, stress fractures, claw toes, and the list goes on. 

 

If you are experiencing pain during walking, running, jumping etc.. and think you may have any irregularities in your biomechanical processes, please contact one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Dr. Garvin has been analyzing patients biomechanics for many years and always seeks to treat and correct the underlying causes of pain. To obtain further information regarding your biomechanics and foot health please visit his website!


*This schematic depicts forces applied to the human skeleton that are experienced during normal walking.

Orthotics 101

An orthosis is a device used by podiatrists to correct an abnormality in a patient's gait, or provide additional cushion and control for a surgically corrected condition. Orthotics can be made out of a variety of different materials, and many times are made by a podiatrist in office. The materials chosen for fabrication of the device are generally contingent upon the condition being treated and cost effectiveness. Orthotics are often times one of a podiatrists favorite tools as it allows them to treat an extremely broad variety of foot-related ailments with a minimally invasive technique. Once the orthosis is made it can simply be placed into the patients shoe similarly as an insole would be.     

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of an orthotic and they’re often times the best treatment for patients. Especially patients who can’t afford to spend time off their feet with any kind of surgical recovery. Some conditions that are commonly treated with an orthotic, but certainly not limited to are bunions, tailors bunions, hallux limitus and rigidus, ankle equinus, plantar fasciitis, digital subluxations, Morton’s Neuroma, high arched feet/Pes Cavus, Diabetes related conditions, and many more. 

If you have any kind of foot related pain, or think you might be a candidate for an orthotic, don’t hesitate to call one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint Lucie area in southeast Florida. 772-335-7171  Dr. Garvin has been practicing for years and has spent this time perfecting the art of healing and controlling patients foot problems with orthoses. 

All About Those Bunions

Is your big toe crowding the rest of your toes?  Is there a firm lump on the side of your big toe?  Do you have pain from the pressure of your shoes causing you to flinch while walking? Is finding a shoe that fits comfortably difficult? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you may have a bunion.

Bunions, also called hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus (HAV), form a firm bump on the inside edge of the foot at the base of the big toe.  This causes the big toe to move out of place.  When a bunion forms on the big toe, the toe moves toward the other toes and causes the lump to become bigger and can create pain.  Pain occurs because pressure from the shoe on the bunion or from pressure inside the joint.

A main factor for bunion growth is wearing footwear that is too tight.  When you wear tight footwear your toes are squeezed together and create unnecessary pressure.  Not only footwear, but faulty foot mechanics and a combination of the way you walk can cause bunions.  And of course foot injuries, people with neuromuscular problems and activities such as ballet dancing can also be linked to the formation of bunions.     

There are non-surgical and surgical treatments for bunions, but your options would depend on the severity of your feet.  Changing your shoes to provide more room, taping and padding your foot into a normal position, and having shoe inserts or orthotics can help reduce symptoms and prevent bunions from becoming worse.  

However, discussing your options and having your feet looked at can help in making the right decision for treatment.  It’s important to get bunions looked at immediately as other issues can develop such as hammer toes, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.  

If you are experiencing bunion symptoms and pain call our office to set up an appointment with Dr. Garvin at www.doctorgarvin.com

Sandal weather is here - Prepare your feet!

What are Corns and Calluses?

Corns and calluses are both formed by hyperkeratosis. This term simply means a thickening of the skin. These can form on many of the superficial surfaces of the body (most commonly on the feet!) for a variety of reasons. Typically, corns are sore and painful due to the friction that is occurring at the site, which is also their cause. Calluses are also caused by a thickening of the skin, but are more often associated with the excess synthesis of skin at a site as a protective mechanism. For example, many people develop calluses on their hands due to repetitive work like gardening. Calluses are also formed at areas of abnormal bony synthesis like bones spurs. 

Why should you be concerned about a Corn or Callus?

Hyperkeratosis certainly isn’t a reason to visit the emergency room. However, it is an important concern because it means that excessive use, and abnormal friction is occurring at that localized area of epidermis (most outer layer of skin). This is not only a cosmetic issue, but is often times painful and debilitating depending on severity. More importantly than the buildup of skin itself though, is the actual cause of the localized hyperkeratosis. This excess production of localized dermis is generally due to things such as poor fitting shoes, abnormalities of the toes, like hammertoes, unusual bony prominences such as bunions, and abnormalities of an individual's gait. All of these conditions are great reasons to setup an appointment with Dr. Michael Garvin! His goal is to empathetically alleviate his patient’s foot ailments with as minimally invasive procedures as possible.

 

To make an appointment, simply call one of his offices, both located in Port St. Lucie, Florida; the East office- 772-335-7171, & the West office-772-871-6020, or e-mail him at info@doctorgarvin.com . http://doctorgarvin.com/contact.html

Bunions

A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. The big toe generally turns in toward the second toe and the tissues surrounding the joint becomes swollen, tender and often painful. Bunions occur more commonly in women and can sometimes run in families, making some individuals genetically pre-disposed to this condition. People born with abnormal bones in their feet are more likely to form a bunion. Wearing narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes can also lead to the development of a bunion. The condition may become painful as extra bone and a fluid-filled sac grows at the base of the big toe.

Most common reasons for the development of a bunion:                  

• If the foots shape puts too much pressure on the big toe joint.
• Because bunions can run in families, some experts believe that the inherited shape of the foot makes some people genetically pre-disposed to developing a bunion.
• If the foot rolls inward or pronates too much when walking. 
• Flat Feet.
• Wearing shoes that are too tight.

Any of these situations can apply significant pressure on the big toe joint, which over time; will force the big toe out of alignment, bending it toward the other toes.

Early diagnosis is critical. When a bunion first begins to develop, taking a few simple steps such as wearing foam pads on the foot to protect the bunion, or devices called spacers to separate the first and second toes at night can help avoid a worsening of the condition.

If the bunion gets worse, resulting in severe deformity or pain, surgery is the most effective approach to realign the toe, relieve the pain and remove the bony bump (bunionectomy). There are many different surgical techniques that can be used to treat this condition depending on the individual’s situation.

To help our patients get relief from bunion pain Dr. Garvin might recommend, wearing wider shoes, orthotics, or foot pads. Treatment such as oral anti-inflammatories and injections can also help to relieve discomfort. However, Dr. Garvin can perform same day procedures, which will have patients comfortable after just a few weeks of recovery.