Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD The human skeleton is a remarkable structure that supports our body and allows us to walk upright, run with the wind, bend over to pick up a child, carry heavy loads and hundreds of other tasks every day. The main component of our skeleton is bone, a mineralized, living composite that… Read more »
Category: Foot Care
Hammertoe
Robert J. Snyder, MD Foot problems are common orthopaedic issues we see daily at OSC, like the foot deformity condition called Hammertoe. In this article, I will describe it and how the condition is treated. When the second, third or fourth toe becomes abnormally bent at the middle joint, it is called Hammertoe, because it… Read more »
Mallet Toe
Mark W. McFarland, DO At OSC, we see patients with orthopaedic issues on a daily basis, including those with foot problems. A common foot deformity condition we treat is called Mallet Toe. Here, I will describe the condition and explain how it is treated. Whenever a second, third or fourth toe bends abnormally at the… Read more »
Gout – A Painful Form of Arthritis
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Gout is a common form of arthritis that typically affects the big toe joint; however the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers can also be affected. The problem occurs when too much uric acid remains in the blood after being processed by the kidneys. The uric acid forms into thin, spike-like… Read more »
Osteophytes: A Fancy Term, but Simply Bone Spurs
Robert J. Snyder, MD As a busy Orthopaedist, I see many patients in the office, whose main complaint goes something like this, “I have this really sharp pain, when I walk (or insert your activity of choice here). It hurts so bad, it must be caused by a bone spur”. Most of those pains are… Read more »
Sever’s Disease – A Real Pain in the Heel
Boyd W. Haynes III, MD I recently had an employee tell me that her friend’s grandson had been complaining of horrible heel pain. She said that he was around 12 years old, played football and that his pain was so bad it caused him to cry and walk around on his tiptoes. Of course, everyone… Read more »
Ganglion Cyst of the Foot
by Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD A ganglion cyst is a knot or lump that forms below the skin on either a joint or around a tendon. These cysts are filled with a thick, clear, jellylike fluid and can feel either firm or soft to the touch. The exact cause for the formation of a ganglion… Read more »
Plantar Fibroma
by Boyd W. Haynes III, MD The human body, while amazing in structure and function, is prone to getting little lumps, cysts and other small, usually benign growths, especially as we age. As an orthopaedist, I see patients every day who have these, which we treat conservatively and they eventually resolve. One of these musculoskeletal… Read more »
Orthotics and Orthotic Devices
Mark W. McFarland, DO What exactly is an Orthotic and what does it do? In this article, I hope to help you understand the important role they play in helping patients who have musculoskeletal issues. An orthotic is a device that supports and stabilizes a joint or weakened/injured body part, creating proper alignment, pressure relief… Read more »
Foot Problems Caused by Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. In 2014, the Center for Disease Control reported the following: • 9.3% or 29.1 million persons in the US have diabetes. • 8.1 million persons in the US have undiagnosed diabetes Given those astounding numbers, you would think Americans would… Read more »