Common Foot/Ankle Myths

Old wives’ tales and myths, a like, are fun to laugh at. We believed them growing up. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back.” But there are other myths that are no laughing matter, especially when they involve your foot health.

From bunions to broken toes, as doctors we have heard it all. Here are five myths about foot care and the realities behind them.

Myth: Cutting a notch (a “V”) in a toenail will relieve the pain of ingrown toenails.
Reality: When a toenail is ingrown, the nail curves downward and grows into the skin. Cutting a “V” does not affect the growth of the toenail. New nail growth will continue to curve downward. Cutting a “V” may actually cause more problems and is painful in many cases.

Myth: My foot or ankle can’t be broken if I can walk on it.
Reality: It’s entirely possible to walk on a foot or ankle with a broken bone. It depends on your threshold for pain, as well as the severity of the injury. Walking with a broken bone can cause further damage. It is crucial to stay off an injured foot until diagnosis by your foot/ankle physician. Until then, apply ice and elevate the foot to reduce pain.

Myth: Shoes cause bunions.
Reality: Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion. While wearing shoes that crowd the toes together can, over time, make bunions more painful, shoes themselves do not cause bunions.

Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery can correct the deformity.

Myth: A doctor can’t fix a broken toe.
Reality: Nineteen of the 26 bones in the foot are toe bones. There are things that can be done to make a broken toe heal better and prevent problems later on, like arthritis or toe deformities.

Broken toes that aren’t treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult.

Myth: Corns have roots.
Reality: A corn is a small build-up of skin caused by friction. Many corns result from a hammertoe deformity, where the toe knuckle rubs against the shoe. The only way to eliminate these corns is to surgically correct the hammertoe condition.

Unlike a callus, a corn has a central core of hard material. But corns do not have roots. Attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection or even amputation. A foot and ankle surgeon can safely evaluate and treat corns and the conditions contributing to them.

If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the above conditions, please contact our office, 440-946-5858, for consultation.

Common Painful Foot Problem In Children

Parents can help prevent a common and painful foot problem in children by following a few simple tips.

Ingrown toenails is one of the most common podiatric conditions treated in children. Tight shoes, tight socks and/or incorrect nail trimming are the main culprits. In other cases, inheritance of nails to curve in is another less common culprit.

Most kids hide their ingrown toenails from their parents, even though the condition may cause significant pain due to fear of doctors or other underlying reasons. However, over time, the nail may break the skin and lead to dangerous infections. In order to prevent this from occurring, please follow the tips provided below:

1.) Teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and don't cut them too short.

2.) Ensure your child's shoes fit. Shoe width is more important than length. Make sure that the widest part of the shoe matches the widest part of your child's foot.

3.) If your child develops a painful ingrown toenail, reduce the inflammation by soaking the child's foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold.

The only proper way to treat a child's ingrown toenail is with a minor surgical procedure at a doctor's office. Never try to dig the nail out or cut it off. These dangerous "bathroom surgeries" carry a high risk for infection. If your child is suffering from this condition, please contact our office, 440-946-5858, immediately for a consultation.