Proper functioning of your big toe is essential just to stand and walk, making big toe problems particularly debilitating. Many factors can cause big toe pain and stiffness ranging from systemic disease to toe deformities and injuries. Some common causes of big toe pain include the...
Plantar warts are so named because they form in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band of fibrous tissue that spans the bottom of your foot and forms your arch. Plantar warts often cause severe pain and discomfort, especially when you put weight on...
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail will include swelling, pain, tenderness, and possible bleeding at the point where the toenail is pushing into your tender skin. One of the leading causes of an ingrown toenail is from improper toenail cutting techniques. Once an ingrown toenail has...
A great way to pass some quality time while cooped up indoors during this stressful time of social distancing is through virtual tours of museums and galleries. Check out the Arts & Culture portal on Google to find links to over 2500 facilities that are...
As evidence continues to mount that many people may be infected with COVID-19 without showing the symptoms, health officials — initially in Spain, Italy, and France, and now in the US — have potentially found another method for identifying a coronavirus infection just by looking...
Our team at Alta Ridge Foot Specialists is sending wishes for health and safety to the Madison, Mitchell, and Watauga county communities, our country, and the world during these hard times. Here is a funny story—about feet!—we hope makes you smile. With the outbreak of...
Today's parent is faced with more questions than ever about making the best choices for their child. From the healthiest foods to making the right choices about toys, activities, and education, there is a lot to think about. When a baby starts to walk, choosing the...
As parents, we carefully watch our children’s development, and often their feet may be of concern. Have you observed that your child’s feet seem to point inwards or outwards when they walk? “In-toeing” is a common condition where the child’s toes point in towards each other. In-toeing...
“Orthotics” – it’s a scientific-sounding term for a fairly simple podiatry tool. The word orthotic comes from the Greek and means to straighten or align. So orthotics are shoe inserts that can give your feet support and comfort and also help relieve fatigue. But while orthotics...
If you can’t wait to head out to one of North Carolina’s many winter resorts for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, make sure you are prepared for your winter adventure. It’s essential to be well prepared for winter sports. Not being ready physically or wearing poorly-fitting footgear...
At Alta Ridge Foot Specialists we know it’s the season of frights and horrors with Halloween right around the corner. It seems the right season to talk about some podiatric disorders with scary names. Below are three whose names might sound frightening but are actually...
One of the most common things a foot can suffer from is a hammertoe. What is a hammertoe? A hammertoe is an abnormal bend of the middle joint of a toe usually caused by an imbalance of the muscles, ligaments or tendons holding the toe....