Educational Articles: Conditions

Plantar fasciosis is a foot condition characterized by heel pain and pain in the plantar fascia—the strong and dense connective tissue structure on the sole of the foot that spans the foot arch. This condition has historically been called plantar fasciitis because it was believed that plantar fascia inflammation was the principal underlying cause. Plantar fasciosis is a more accurate name for this condition because it actually... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the condition commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis and explains why this foot health problem should more appropriately be called plantar fasciosis. Dr. Ray also discusses how this condition is treated using conventional versus natural approaches. Learn all about plantar fasciosis, including what you can do about it, in... Read more

A plantar fibroma is a knot or nodule of fibrous tissue that develops in the medial longitudinal foot arch. This nodule grows within the plantar fascia—a strong band of connective tissue on the underside of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes. Plantar fibromas can develop in one or both feet, are noncancerous (i.e., benign), and typically will not resolve without appropriate treatment. Though... Read more

Plantar warts, also called verruca plantaris, are a buildup of skin on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This virus enters the body through small cuts or breaks in the skin of the feet. The buildup of thick, irregular skin on the bottom of the feet that characterizes plantar warts is sometimes confused with calluses,... Read more

Raynaud’s is a health problem that affects the arteries. Raynaud’s sometimes is called a disease, phenomenon, or syndrome, and it’s characterized by brief bouts of vasospasm, or the sudden narrowing of a blood vessel, which results in a reduced flow rate through that vessel. Arterial vasospasm primarily reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes. Though most people with Raynaud’s experience reduced blood flow to the fingers,... Read more

Runner’s knee is a common musculoskeletal problem in runners, jumpers, skiers, cyclists, soccer players, basketball players, volleyball players, and other athletes. Runner’s knee is a general term that describes several knee-specific disorders, including chondromalacia patella, patellofemoral malalignment, and anterior knee pain syndrome. Runner’s knee is a health problem that usually affects young, otherwise healthy individuals, and it occurs when the underside of the patella, or kneecap, becomes... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, explores the common problem known as runner's knee. Dr. Ray discusses the underlying causes of this problem and how you can adopt a preventative approach to runner's knee. Dr. Ray also explains that conventional athletic (and other) footwear is largely to blame for this painful lower extremity... Read more

Irritation, imbalance, or fracture of two small bones—sesamoids—near the big toe is a forefoot problem that may cause pain in some individuals. These two sesamoid bones, located on the underside of the foot, directly below the first metatarsal bone—the long, thin bone that’s positioned between the ankle bones and the big toe—are approximately the size of corn kernels and act like pulleys. The sesamoid bones function like... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the common and painful condition known as sesamoiditis. Sesamoiditis occurs when the two floating bones beneath the base of the big toe (sesamoids) are forced to deviate from their natural position and then become inflamed or irritated. Dr. Ray looks at the underlying causes of this... Read more

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common heel problem affecting children. This heel bone disorder is often painful, though it’s usually temporary and causes no long-term health effects. With Sever’s disease, the Achilles tendon repeatedly pulls on the heel’s growth plate, causing microtrauma (i.e. microfractures), inflammation, and swelling in the affected area. Sever’s disease is similar to Osgood-Schlatter disease, which affects the knee. Inappropriate... Read more