ADVANCED FOOTCARE

Ingrown Nails

sometimes caused by improper nail trimming, improper footwear, trauma, or can be an inherited factor.  Any laceration of the adjacent tissue by the ingrown nail can allow the entry of bacteria.  We can gently cut at an angle to alleviate pain and/or prevent the nail penetrating the tissue.

Thickened Nails

(Dystrophic Nail)-permanent thickening of the nail associated with past trauma to the nail bed, peripheral vascular disorder (PVD), fungal infections and clawed toes.  We can reduce the discomfort and thickened nail to comfort level.

Painful Corns

A corn is a conical, horny induration and thickening of the skin caused by friction or pressure.  Hard corns may develop on the tops or tips of the toes and sole of the foot.  Soft corns develop between the toes.  These will often return, so we offer treatments to reduce the opportunity for corn development.

Fungal Nails

MYTH’S:

  1. Only dirty people get toenail fungus.  Actually, 14% of Canadians have toenail fungus.
  2. Home remedies will cure it
  3. Toenail fungus will go away on it’s own.
  4. The nail must be removed.
  5. Toenail fungus can’t be cured.

Fungus survives by digesting the keratin in the nail tissue.  How does your nail appear?  Brittle, or thick; the nail may pull away from the nail bed; nail has turned yellow, brown, grey or black; there appears to be fragments under the nail; nail smells bad. Nail and surrounding area hurt.  We offer treatments and explain how recontamination prevention plays an important role in the resolution of fungal nails.

Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)

superficial infection of the skin which frequently becomes chronic.  Common worldwide. Symptoms are itchy skin, especially when the temperature of the foot is raised.  Between the toes, the appearance can be moist or red and raw with maceration.  On the sole of the foot, the area may appear dry and red with scratch marks.  We can offer treatments.

Compression stockings

We offer compression stockings and socks.  Compression stockings are recommended for those with varicose veins, those at a risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT), those who take long airplane flights, those anticipating major orthopaedic surgery or suffered an injury, pregnancy, or other diseases such as cancer, heart/cardiac, immune system, kidney, etc.  We are certified fitters, trained to correctly measure the leg; the client can feel the samples and we have a generous stock on hand.

Warts-(Verucca).

Defined as a benign tumour of the epidermis caused by invasion of a virus.  Plantar warts may occur anywhere on the foot.  Complaints of a sharp pain can be felt.   We can offer treatments to reduce and/or eliminate the painful wart.

Painful Callous-(hyperkeratotic tissue)

Friction causes the thick, hardened, dead skin of a callous, which is formed to protect sensitive skin.  A callous may spread across the ball of the foot or along the outer edge of the heel or big toe.  We offer treatment to reduce the size of the callous, but more important, we discover why the callous forms in the first place, then offer solutions to prevent or reduce the callous formation.

Fissures-

defined as a split in the epidermis.  If between the toes, it will be moist or macerated.  If the skin on the heel is dry (anhidrosis), a split, or fissure in the epidermis may occur.  Bacteria or fungal infection may invade the area.  Complaints of inflammation and discomfort are common.

Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

defined as a misalignment of bones of the big toe.  It may accompany some redness, swelling or pain near the joint.  We have offloading devices to relive pressure on the bunion.  We can offer orthotics to realign the structure of the foot, thereby reducing the cause and/or pain, Metatarsalgia pain.

Wound Care

Utilizing the Laser and Light Therapy to increase tissue healing 40% faster, reduce or eliminate pain and swelling, is only one option.  We have the expert advice of Melissa Desjardin RPN K2p, our Wound Care Nurse, guiding us on the correct product to be used on the wound.  We can obtain an order from your Physician or Nurse Practitioner and forward ongoing consult and treatment notes to the provider of your choice.  Diabetic wounds on the feet can be disastrous, leading to amputation, if not addressed immediately and correctly.