Foot and Ankle Clinic
1077 Pitt Street K6J 3S6 Cornwall, ON, Canada

Sandal season is almost here and most of us couldn’t be more excited to toss those heavy boots aside! Often when the seasons change, patients will notice that their toenails have changed colour, which can be rather alarming. Often the culprit is onychomycosis or nail fungus. In severe circumstances, nails have been known to become dislodged, loose or acutely painful if left untreated. ... Nail fungus is a common condition that many individuals at some point in their lives. While some people have a predisposition to the condition, others simply contract the pathology when a porous or damaged nail is exposed to the offending organisms. Some of the most common reasons a person may contract onychomycosis are: -Cross contamination of unsterilized nail clippers. -Public Pools / Saunas / Steam Rooms -Public Showers -People over the age of 60 are more susceptible to nail fungus overall -Sharing the footwear of an infected person. -Nail Trauma / Injury to the nail bed can cause organisms to enter the broken areas of the nail matrix, often resulting in infection or loss of the affected nail. -Diabetes- it is thought that approximately one third of all diabetic patients have some form of nail fungus Thankfully Nail Fungus is not something you have to live with, and we are here to help. Call us today if you think your toenails may be affected and we will guide you in the right direction toward clear nails. 613-936-8461

Sandal season is almost here and most of us couldnt be more excited to toss those heavy boots aside! Often when the seasons change, patients will notice that their toenails have changed colour, which can be rather alarming. Often the culprit is onychomycosis or nail fungus. In severe circumstances, nails have been known to become dislodged, loose or acutely painful if left untreated. ... Nail fungus is a common condition that many individuals at some point in their lives. While some people have a predisposition to the condition, others simply contract the pathology when a porous or damaged nail is exposed to the offending organisms. Some of the most common reasons a person may contract onychomycosis are: -Cross contamination of unsterilized nail clippers. -Public Pools / Saunas / Steam Rooms -Public Showers -People over the age of 60 are more susceptible to nail fungus overall -Sharing the footwear of an infected person. -Nail Trauma / Injury to the nail bed can cause organisms to enter the broken areas of the nail matrix, often resulting in infection or loss of the affected nail. -Diabetes- it is thought that approximately one third of all diabetic patients have some form of nail fungus Thankfully Nail Fungus is not something you have to live with, and we are here to help. Call us today if you think your toenails may be affected and we will guide you in the right direction toward clear nails. 613-936-8461

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https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.nikolaiko/posts/10159140898605276:0 Supporting Rachel's Kids Charity at the Foot and Ankle Clinic through our love for sweets!! Get your Smile-Cookies today!! ... #smilecookierachelskids #Localcharities

The foot & Ankle Clinic is proud to be a sponsor for the Cornwall Colts!!! Go get 'Em guys!!

Plantar Fasciitis of the most common foot pathologies treated in our clinic. This is an excellent overview of the condition, along with a detailed explanation of aggravating factors and treatment options available. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YRpeiRLPUDw

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The Foot And Ankle Clinic is proud to support the Rachel's Kids Pumpkin Drop! Happy Halloween! https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.nikolaiko/posts/10157509870710276

Warts Warts are one of several lesser afflictions of the foot, which nevertheless can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, which typically invades the skin through small cuts and abrasions. They are frequently called plantar warts, because they appear most often on the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot. They can appear anywhere on the skin, however, and technically only those on the sole are properly called plantar warts. Children, especially teenagers, tend to b...Continue reading

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Achilles Tendonitis The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. It is located at the back of the ankle joint and can be felt as a large, cord-like structure attaching to the back of the foot. Since tendons serve to attach muscles to bone, the Achilles tendon also attaches the large calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus, to the back of the heel bone, the calcaneus. The muscle mass and strength of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are greater than all o...Continue reading

Definition of a bunion (Hullux Valgus); Abduction and valgus of the hullux, adduction of the first metatarsal and lateral subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. What is a Bunion? A bunion (Hallux valgus) occurs when the foot bone that joins with the big toe moves towards the center of the body.... When the big toe moves towards the center of the body, a bony prominence on the side of the foot occurs. Bunions are more common in women then men. Women are more likely to get bunions because they often were tight fitting shoes. Bunions are generally preventable and treated by wearing more appropriate footwear. Bunions rarely require surgery. What causes a Bunion? The most common cause of bunions is poor fitting shoes. A family history of bunions will increase your risk of developing a bunion. Some other causes of bunions are: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Family history, Hereditary factors Weak ligaments in the feet Trauma or injury to the feet Symptoms? Symptoms of bunions include: redness around the big toe joint difficulty walking swelling around the big toe joint and pain along the inside margin of the foot. feet that are too wide to fit into their normal shoes. pain when wearing tight shoes A second toe may become a HammerToe Can Bunions be prevented? Yes. The easiest way to prevent bunions is to wear shoes that fit properly and or ORTHOTICS. When a shoe fits properly, the tops of the four smaller toes, when resting on the insole of a shoe, should be about level with one another. How are Bunions treated? There are many different treatments for bunions. Medications, such as ibuprofen will temporary relieve the pain and inflammation. Change in footwear is a more permanent treatment that will help the bunion symptoms. Commercial bunion pads, and bunion night splints can reduce the size of the bunion and ORTHOTICS to prevent further pathology. In rare cases, surgery is needed

Chondromalacia Patella (of Greek origin meaning "softening of the cartilage") What is it?... Chondromalacia is a condition wherein the cartilage on the back of the patella (knee cap) is irritated and painful because it rubs against the medial femoral condyle. What are the common symptoms/complaints? Patients complain of pain felt under the knee cap on the medial side of the knee particularly while going up or down stairs and hills. Also pain and stiffness after prolonged sitting. How is it caused? During a normal gait cycle, the femur and the tibia rotate in unison (i.e. internally during pronation and externally during supination). However, Chondromalacia occurs when a person over-pronates because the tibia is locked into the Talus and therefore continues to rotate internally past the end of the contact phase (where supination starts at the beginning of midstance in a normal gait) while the femur receives its orders from the brain and begins to rotate externally at midstance. The resulting counter rotation of the femur and the tibia causes the patella to rub against the medial femoral condyle instead of moving smoothly up and down in its normal track, which causes the pain felt by the patient and the damage to the cartilage. How is it treated? Since the problem is caused by over-pronation, the patient should be fitted with orthotics and will likely experience pain relief within weeks and complete recovery within months (generally 2 - 3 months).

State-of-the-art laser process for nail fungus 0 By Erika Glasberg, Cornwall Standard Freeholder Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:20:07 EDT PM ... Michael Turcotte, chiropodist and foot specialist at the Foot and Ankle Clinic, sits with the machine that removes toe fungus, as well as warts, using a non-invasive laser, quickly and efficiently. Staff photo/ERIKA GLASBERG Michael Turcotte at the Foot and Ankle Clinic on Pitt Street is giving his clients more than healthy looking feet with some new technology. Those who were living through physical and emotional distress because of nail fungus are walking a little lighter after having the fungus removed using a non-invasive laser procedure called GenesisPlus from Cutera. The therapy treatment can be used for fungus in a few short treatments, or on warts, veins and scar tissue in as little as one treatment. A lot of the time, you would have to (otherwise) surgically remove the nail, said Turcotte. This laser is FDA and Health Canada approved. In going to annual conventions and seeing it there as well as a colleague in Toronto purchasing one and getting great results, I decided to make the investment. The laser is applied to the nail plate and surrounding tissue which gradually heats the fungus and promotes the growth of healthy, clear nails. The good thing about the laser is that its a quick little shot and then the pain is gone, but its very, very effective with warts, he said. It does hurt a little bit for half a second and then they can walk out virtually pain free. For more information, call the Foot and Ankle Clinic at 613-936-8461 or visit www.thefootclinic.ca.

Corns & Calluses What is a Corn? (Heloma durum) A corns is a thickening of the surface layer of the skin. Corns usually form on the top of toes, tip of toes and between the toes....Continue reading

Our StoryThe birth of Dr.'s REMEDY began with a warning. Dr. Cirlincione's wife was pregnant and advised against using hair dyes, eating certain foods, and being exposed to harsh chemicals. Dr. Cirlincione began to research the toxins cont...ained in most commercial nail polish, which is commonly used by pregnant women. It became obvious that formaldehyde, toluene and DBP are not only linked to serious health problems, but also potentially damaging to the nail as well. Dr. C...irlincione partnered with Dr. Spielfogel and together they formulated Dr.'s REMEDY, free from THE BIG 3, but also UNIQUELY ENRICHED with ingredients, such as vitamins C&E, wheat protein, tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract and lavender. Not only is Dr.'s REMEDY better for you, it also has anti-fungal properties for people suffering with fungal nails .It comes in a rainbow of today's most fashionable colors. Enhanced with organic ingredients and vitamins to promote healthier nails and fights againt nail fungus. Appealing to women with discolored nails, pregnant women, or parents looking for safer alternatives for their children. Allergen friendly for those sensitive to chemicals in commercial nail polish. Enriched means a stronger, healthier looking nail, which is appealing to everyone.

Definition of a bunion (Hullux Valgus) Abduction and valgus of the hullux, adduction of the first metatarsal and lateral subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. What is a Bunion?... A bunion (Hallux valgus) occurs when the foot bone that joins with the big toe moves towards the center of the body. When the big toe moves towards the center of the body, a bony prominence on the side of the foot occurs. Bunions are more common in women then men. Women are more likely to get bunions because they often were tight fitting shoes. Bunions are generally preventable and treated by wearing more appropriate footwear. Bunions rarely require surgery. What causes a Bunion? The most common cause of bunions is poor fitting shoes. A family history of bunions will increase your risk of developing a bunion. Some other causes of bunions are: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Family history, Hereditary factors Weak ligaments in the feet Trauma or injury to the feet Symptoms? Symptoms of bunions include: redness around the big toe joint difficulty walking swelling around the big toe joint and pain along the inside margin of the foot. feet that are too wide to fit into their normal shoes. pain when wearing tight shoes A second toe may become a HammerToe Can Bunions be prevented? Yes. The easiest way to prevent bunions is to wear shoes that fit properly and or ORTHOTICS. When a shoe fits properly, the tops of the four smaller toes, when resting on the insole of a shoe, should be about level with one another. How are Bunions treated? There are many different treatments for bunions. Medications, such as ibuprofen will temporary relieve the pain and inflammation. Change in footwear is a more permanent treatment that will help the bunion symptoms. Commercial bunion pads, and bunion night splints can reduce the size of the bunion and ORTHOTICS to prevent further pathology. In rare cases, surgery is needed.

Michael Turcotte, B.Sc. Hons. (Podiatric Studies) D. Ch is providing his patients with a leading therapy to improve the appearance of nails affected by Onychomycosis through the use of a new non-invasive laser therapy system called GenesisPlus from Cutera. The Foot and Ankle Clinic is offering the breakthrough technology. The system applies laser energy to the nail plate and surrounding tissue. The high powered laser gradually heats the fungus and promotes the growth of healthy, clear nails.

The Foot and Ankle Clinic surgery suite

What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss) is an inflammation of the fascia ligament in your foot. The plantar fascia ligament is located at the bottom of your foot. It is attached to the heal and extends to the ball of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot stretches irregularly. When the ligament stretches irregularly, it develops small tears. The small tears are called adhesions and... can cause the ligament to become inflamed. People with plantar fasciitis describe the pain as being dull, aching, or sharp. The pain can be reproduced by flexing the toes upwards and tensing the fascia ligament, or by pressing into the fascia from the plantar aspect. (Bottom of foot) Plantar Fasciitis is common in runners and other athletes, and people who have jobs that require a large amount of walking or standing. People with plantar fasciitis often have tight Achilles tendons and calf muscles. Plantar fasciitis usually develops gradually but can have an acute onset. Symptoms? The most common symptom is intense pain located in the center or the inner side of the bottom of the heel. The pain is most intense when first standing and after resting. The pain is most severe when first standing and after resting because the foot tries to heal itself when it is in a contracted position. Some other symptoms are: tight foot and swelling. What Causes Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis is most often caused by abnormal stretching of the plantar fascia ligament. There are many causes of abnormal stretching. Some of the most common causes are: the foot rolling inward lack of flexibility in the calf muscles no arch support in the shoe being overweight Extra weight cause the arches of the foot to sag. Sagging arches causes the plantar fascia to be overly stretched. having flat feet Flat feet is a condition where the inner sole of the foot contacts the ground. Flat feet causes plantar fasciitis by overly stretching the plantar fasciia. Having highly arched feet spending too much time standing sudden foot injury Treatment Options? Plantar Fasciitis can be treated. However, the longer you wait to treat it, the more difficult it is to treat. Treatment involves correcting the underlying causative problems. Some of the most common treatments are realignment of the foot , ORTHOTICS wearing better fitting shoes decreasing the amount of time the person is standing or walking losing weight rest ultra-sound, combination therapies, strapping , SHOCK WAVE stretching the calf foot taping endoscopic plantar fasciotomy ( Surgery) night splints It takes between 6 to 12 months to heal. However, most people recover in about 6 months. Can Plantar Fasciitis be Prevented? Yes. Run on soft surfaces, don't increase running by more than 10% each week and maintain a healthy weight. Also, make sure you wear a shoe that fits your foot type and gait.

Neuroma A neuroma is the swelling of nerve that is a result of a compression or trauma. They are often described as nerve tumors. However, they are not in the purest sense a tumor. They are a swelling within the nerve that may result in permanent nerve damage. The most common site for a neuroma is on the ball of the foot. The most common cause of neuroma in ball of the foot is the abnormal movement of the long bones behind the toes called metatarsal bones. A small nerve passe...Continue reading

For those coping with physical, emotional and social effects of nail fungus, the quest for a safe and effective solution has been frustrating. Known medically as Onychomycosis, nail fungus is typically treated through the use of various topical and oral therapies, but such treatment options have demonstrated limited success or have been known to cause adverse side effects. About Onychomycosis Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. Most commonly fo...Continue reading