Educational Articles: Regions

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

Shin splints are a lower extremity health problem involving pain and tenderness along or behind the inner edge of the lower two-thirds of the tibia—the larger of the two bones in the lower leg. Shin splints commonly occur following vigorous physical activity, including endurance exercise and other sports involving running. Shin splints occur when certain muscles and tendons as well as the periosteum—a membrane that covers the... Read more

Shin splints are a common cause of lower leg pain in many people, especially athletes. In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, describes the two unique types of shin splints and how this painful lower leg problem is addressed using both conventional podiatric methods and natural, conservative treatments. Dr. Ray states that most people... Read more

In the world of healthcare, there are no panaceas, or cure-alls. But a few simple strategies can have profound and lasting effects on your health. When it comes to building and maintaining foot and toe health, one simple action stands out above most others: Realigning your big toe to the position that nature intended. Restoring your big toe... Read more

Toe box taper—the narrowing of a shoe from the ball of your foot to the ends of your toes—is one of the most harmful features of conventional footwear. It's difficult to find a pair of shoes or boots (or even sandals) that are wider at the ends of your toes than the ball of your foot. Most shoes and boots, including athletic models, force your toes into... Read more

Tarsal bones are the short bones located in the midfoot and rearfoot that form a bridge between the ankle and the metatarsal bones. The tarsal tunnel is a space located just below the bony prominence on the inside of the ankle, or medial malleolus, and is made up of bone on the inside and the flexor retinaculum—a band of connective tissue—on the outside. Several important structures pass... Read more

Tendinitis occurs when tendons—the fibrous connective tissue structures that connect muscles to bones—become irritated and inflamed. Inflammation is the localized response by the body to injury or damage caused by chemical, physical, or biological agents. Most tendinitis treated by foot care professionals is caused by overuse, usually from repetitive work tasks or recreational sports. Foot and lower extremity tendinitis can significantly affect a person’s ability to perform... Read more

Keeping your feet dry is important in preventing blisters, warts, and fungal skin and nail problems. Consider incorporating the following tips into your daily routine to keep your feet dry and your foot health hygiene optimized: Remove the liners from your shoes; place your shoes next to a heat source to encourage complete drying; dry your feet thoroughly after bathing and/or swimming, especially between your toes; wear... Read more

The Toe Extensor Stretch—a simple stretch of the toe extensor muscles and tendons—is perhaps the single most important stretch or exercise for foot health. Most conventional shoes possess about 15 to 20 degrees of toe spring, or upward toe ramping, which, along with heel elevation, creates imbalances in the flexor and extensor muscles and tendons that act on the foot. Overly tight toe extensor muscles and tendons... Read more

Toe spring is a toe-deforming shoe feature present in most shoes, including athletic shoes. Toe spring is the elevation of your shoe’s toe box above the ground or supporting surface. The current industry standard for toe spring for most types of footwear is 15 degrees. This means that most shoes hold, or immobilize, your toes in an unnatural, extended position. This immobilization is problematic because your toes... Read more