Educational Articles: Conditions

Ligaments surround joints, including the toe joints, and help form joint capsules. Joint capsules help protect the joints and allow them to function properly. Capsulitis—inflammation of a joint capsule—is a common problem in certain parts of the body, especially the shoulders and feet, and it may cause significant discomfort. This health problem can, over time, lead to toe dislocation if it’s not treated properly.... Read more

Thick, hard skin can occur on any part of the foot. However, corns and calluses are particularly common on the toes, and they are caused by prolonged pressure or friction on the skin. Though not life-threatening, corns and calluses are often unsightly and may cause pain or disability when the skin buildup gets too thick or causes pressure on sensitive parts of the foot. A corn is... Read more

This short video discusses corns, a common toe problem that's characterized by localized areas of skin thickening. In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, explains that there are two types of corns: soft corns (which occur between the toes) and hard corns (which occur on the outside aspects of the toes). Both types of... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the various types of crooked toes he sees in his Portland, OR, practice and what can be done to help straighten them out. Mallet toe, claw toe, and overlapping toe are all types of crooked toes that Dr. Ray mentions in this video. Dr. Ray also... Read more

Crooked toes are a common health problem, and there are several different types of crooked toes possible. The specific type of crooked toe a person may develop depends on the degree and direction of deviation in the affected toe’s joints. In some cases, the abnormal toe alignment is not permanent, and the toe may be realigned using natural... Read more

Diabetes is a chronic, or lifelong, condition in which the body is unable to maintain proper blood sugar levels. Foot problems are among the most common health concerns diabetics face. Several types of diabetes exist, yet they all may cause similar changes in the feet. Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels may lead to a serious health complication known as neuropathy—nerve damage or dysfunction. The nerves in the... Read more

Flat feet, also known as pes valgus or pes planovalgus, is a health problem in which the foot lacks a normal arch when the affected person is standing. The arch on the foot’s inside edge (i.e., medial longitudinal arch) is the structure affected by this condition. The entire foot, including the midfoot, will touch the floor in individuals with flat feet. Flat feet is usually a painless... Read more

This video discusses the condition called flat feet. There are a lot of myths surrounding flat feet, and in this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, addresses each of these myths and compares and contrasts conventional podiatric treatments with natural, conservative treatment methods. Dr. Ray notes that having flat feet is not necessarily an indication... Read more

Hallux is the medical term for the big toe. The big toe is one of the most important parts of the body, as it provides propulsive force during gait and helps stabilize the entire foot and body. The big toe should possess between 50 and 90 degrees of extension—also known as dorsiflexion—if it is healthy and injury free, and a person should be able to move his... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, dives deep into the condition called hallux limitus. Hallux limitus is a condition in which the big toe is unable to bend upward (or dorsiflex) to a proper degree. This foot health problem begins early in life in those who wear conventional footwear. Tapering toe boxes and... Read more