Nick Culley Podiatrist
31 centennial drive B0N 2T0 Windsor, NS, Canada

Bunions. Bunions are a deformity of the big toe where the toe moves towards the second toe. There can be a swelling on the inside of the big toe joint which can become inflamed. Causes....... Problematic foot mechanics can lead to excessive strain on the forefoot leading to bunion deformity. Poorly fitting footwear, especially with children can lead to bunion issues. Anyone can develop a bunion although they are more common in women. Sometimes they run in the family. Symptoms.... Swelling, pain, loss of motion which is worse when wearing shoes. Sometimes there are corns or callus formation due to the fitting issues with the shoes. Treatment.... If discovered early enough exercises, splinting, and a biomechanical assessment to diagnose the mechanical issues with the foot can all help. Orthotics to control the abnormal foot mechanics. Footwear advice and prescription. Laser, Accupuncture, mobilisation to help the pain. These are all conservative measures to help bunions. For correction of the bunion, surgery may be necessary. A referral from a family physician is needed to an orthopedic surgeon for this to be facilitated in Nova Scotia. In other provinces minimal Podiatric surgery is available on a day surgery basis

Morton's neuroma. Pain in the metatarsal area of the foot or possibly pain and tingling into the 3rd or 4th toes means there could be a common condition called Morton's neuroma. A neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the digital nerves supplying the toes. This can feel like walking on a rock or a sharp pain into the metatarsals or toes. A tingling or burning feeling is common. Advanced cases can cause numbness in the toes.... The causes of neuroma are irritation or injury to the nerve. This can be poor footwear, wide feet, high arches and certain sports. A certain foot type can lead to neuroma. When taking a look at the patients gait (or the way they walk) a certain movement called an Abductory flick can ussually be seen. This means they toe outwards and pivot off the inside of the big toe. The wear marks on the sole of the shoe usually tell the story (leather soles especially). Diagnosis of neuroma can typically be done by a healthcare provider who is feeling for a palpable click in the metatarsal region. X rays rarely show anything with this condition. MRI is a good way of diagnosing this condition but the long wait time for this test is discouraging. There are 3 treatment choices. 1. A healthcare provider who can use laser, ultrasound, accupuncture, mobilisation techniques and possibly prescribe orthotics. 2. Cortisone injection. 3. Surgery to remove the nerve, although this could lead to loss of feeling in the 3rd and 4th toes. To conclude Morton's neuroma is a common condition and i diagnose, assess and treat it on a regular basis. I use a combination of treatment techniques and always assess the patient's footwear to see if it suitable for their needs whether casual walking, safety footwear or athletic.

Sad day for Nova Scotia.

These lesions are being noted on the feet of young people with Covid 19.

With increased walking for exercise here are some tips to help you avoid injury.

SHIN SPLINTS A common injury from increasing walking activities is SHIN SPLINTS. If you feel pain with stiffness in your shins during or after walking it could be shin splints.The symptoms of this condition are similar to stress fracture or a much more serious condition called compartment syndrome. The causes of shin splints are : Overuse of the muscle along the Tibia.... Micro-tears of the muscles in the shin. Joint instability of the joints in the foot/ankle. Poor footwear choice including poor shock absorption or stability. Typically if you have seriously increased your walking activities it can set off this annoying condition but ussually it will calm down after a few days. Treatment includes: ice, rest and anti inflamatory medication. stretching and strengthening exercises. Advice on walking program. Footwear improvement. Orthotics possibly depending on foot type. Asessment by Chiropractic/Physiotherapist and or Podiatrist. If the pain is severe there is a possibility it could be compartment syndrome and you will need to seek medical professional advice without haste. There are several Podiatry clinics open in the province to treat emergency conditions, Contact me if you require the contact numbers. To summarise once you have got "up to speed" with all the walking now in your life your health will benefit greatly from the increased activity. Conditions like shin splints are ussually transient and will clear after a short while. Enjoy the walking!!!!!

These are the ladies Walking shoes with the highest satisfaction scores from several sources. Ryko Devo plus 2 Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19... New Balence 860v10 New Balence 1865 Saucony Progrid Integrity ST2 Asics Gel Quantum 360 5 Acis gel Excite 6

How's your footwear holding up with all the walking? More to come.........

The office remains temporarily closed. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns re your treatment. Stay well and see you soon.

COVID 19 update. We are open and providing podiatry services but we are taking the situation very seriously. We rely on information which is scientifically proven and adhering to the advice given by Nova Scotia public health. The safety of patients and staff comes first so we are taking extra precautionary measures.Please contact the office before your appointment if you have a fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing or have travelled out of province or contacted someone who has travelled out of province. For safety reasons contact the office and reschedule your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns you can call the office at 902 792 1871.

Specialising in musculo-skeletal aches and pains in the feet and lower legs. Pain treatment, mobilisation and orthotics.

Notice any red spots on your feet which throb and burn when you have been outside? They could be Chilblains. Footwear and socks may need upgrading.

Temperatures are dropping down. Time to bring out those toasty winter trail shoes or boots if hiking.Temperatures are dropping down. Time to bring out those toasty winter trail shoes or boots if hiking.

Pain on the outside of the foot? It could be cuboid syndrome.