November 2021

Posterior tibial nerve neuralgia, also known as tarsal tunnel syndrome, is a nerve disorder that is caused by compression of the posterior tibial nerve. This nerve runs through the tarsal tunnel, an area along the inside of the ankle that houses nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. When the posterior tibial nerve is compressed, it causes symptoms such as foot, ankle, and toe pain, a pins and needles sensation in the foot, and numbness. Conservative treatments such as resting and icing the foot, wearing orthotics, and taking pain medications can help relieve symptoms. For more information about tarsal tunnel syndrome and to discover the best course of treatment for you, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact William Urton, DPM of British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A fungal nail infection occurs when the nail is invaded by a fungus. As the fungus multiplies, the infected toenails begin to undergo changes. They may become thickened, brittle, crumbly, and discolored. In more severe cases, the nail can become misshapen and may begin to separate from the nail bed, causing pain and emitting a foul odor. The infection can spread from nail to nail, and surrounding skin can also become infected. A combination of topical and oral medications is often prescribed to treat toenail fungus. Laser therapy can also be a potential treatment option. To learn more, please consult with a podiatrist. 

For more information about treatment, contact William Urton, DPM of British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

The long metatarsal bones of the foot connect the ankle to the toes. Excessive running, jumping, dancing, or other repetitive activities can cause hairline fractures in these bones, causing a condition known as a stress fracture. This is different from an acute break, caused by a fall or other sudden or traumatic injury. Stress fractures can also be the result of osteoporosis, or thinning of bones, arthritis, or nerve damage due to diabetes. Some ways to ease the pain include resting the foot, keeping it elevated, using a walker or crutches, and taking over-the-counter pain medication. You can return to normal activities when pain is no longer present. However, stress fractures can last from four to six weeks. If pain worsens or persists, please consult a podiatrist for further treatment.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

• Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
• Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
• Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
• Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are a variety of deformities, joint pain or pain in the ball of the foot that can impact the toes and lead to surgery. Toes can move out of position and deform from factors, such as arthritis or tendons that are tight or out of balance. There are a variety of conservative treatments to help patients with toe-related problems. These include orthotics, strapping and padding the toes, and wearing comfortable shoes with a wide toe box. However, in extreme situations, surgery may be necessary to straighten out the toes. Your podiatrist will have a variety of options, such as releasing or lengthening tendons, putting the joints back in place, or realigning the toes. If you have problems with your toes, and they need to be straightened, please consult a podiatrist to find the best course of treatment.    

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact William Urton, DPM of British Columbia. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The ankle joint consists of three bones: the fibula and tibia in the lower leg and the talus in the foot. These bones are bound by a ring of ligaments that support and stabilize the ankle joint. When excessive force causes one or more of these bones to crack, this is known as an ankle fracture. Ankle fractures are a common type of injury. They can range from hairline cracks to complex breaks involving more than one bone or even ligaments. In a stable fracture, the ankle is still positioned correctly and stable, despite a fracture in the bone. This can typically be treated with a cast or walking boot. An unstable fracture is a more serious injury involving bones and ligaments (which may tear or even pull off a small chip of bone where they attach). This more severe trauma to the ankle structure can compromise its stability and require more intensive treatment. If you have suffered an injury and your ankle is painful, swollen, or unable to sustain weight, make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible to get properly diagnosed and treated.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.