Many issues can contribute to the ball of the foot becoming swollen and painful. The ball of the foot absorbs nearly as much force as the heel area with every step making the three middle toe bones more susceptible to injury and swelling. Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by everything from stress...

A fungal toenail infection causes the nail to become discolored, thick, and brittle and as the condition progresses an offensive odor is often released as the fungi feast on your feet. The microscopic organisms that cause fungal toenail infections are very common in the environment and they also thrive in the moist, warm conditions that are...

A common foot ailment called hammertoe affects about 3% of the US population or 7 million people. Hammertoe is a foot deformity that is caused by an imbalance of the ligaments, tendons and muscles in the toes. A person with a hammertoe will notice an abnormal bend in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th toes. Causes of...

With school back in session, many of our children will be taking part in several sports. With sports comes the possibility of contracting something called athletes foot or tinea pedis. Athletes foot is caused by a fungus which can and usually is contagious. Athletes foot can also be caused by a bacterial infection, intertrigo or a rash of the...

One of the more common treatments for certain foot maladies is the use of an orthotic. An orthotic is a custom fitted shoe insert designed by a podiatrist. While a store-bought shoe insert can help with your specific problem, the orthotic is often the best bet. Conditions that orthotics treat include: Plantar Fasciitis – an...