November 2025

Tarsal coalition occurs when two or more bones in a child’s foot grow together, which limits normal motion. This can cause stiffness, pain along the side or back of the foot, frequent ankle sprains, flat arches, and cramps or muscle spasms after activity. Although it is often congenital, many children begin to feel symptoms of tarsal coalition around ages eight to 15, when their bones harden and the fused area becomes less flexible. Some children may limp or have trouble walking on uneven ground because the affected foot does not move properly. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and can involve supportive inserts, casting to rest the foot, or surgery to separate the bones and restore movement. If your child has symptoms of tarsal coalition, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, often leading to pain, swelling, and redness along the toe. It may feel tender to the touch, especially when wearing shoes, and in some cases can become infected, causing pus or increased warmth in the area. Common causes include improper nail trimming, tight footwear, toe injuries, or genetic predisposition. Symptoms typically begin with mild discomfort and can progress to severe pain, if left untreated. A podiatrist can diagnose an ingrown toenail through a physical examination and assess whether there is any infection or underlying issue. Treatment options include soaking, lifting the nail, partial nail removal, or in chronic cases, removing part of the nail root. Proper nail care education and footwear recommendations can also help prevent future occurrences. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist at the first sign of discomfort to avoid complications and receive effective, lasting relief.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Finding the right shoes to accommodate hammertoes can be challenging. People with high arches often get hammertoes, in which the knuckle of a toe raises up and rubs against the top of your shoe, or the tip of the toe curls under and rubs against the sole of your shoe. In either case, ill-fitting shoes, whether they are too tight or too loose, can make the problem worse. High heels should be avoided because they cause your toes to bunch up into the front of the shoe. At the same time, very flat shoes are also a problem because they offer little or no cushioning or arch support. Finally, pointed and narrow shoes place a lot of pressure on the forefoot and toe area. To best accommodate hammertoes, look for shoes that come in wide widths, have a roomy toe box, and have flexible uppers that mold to the shape of your foot. Shoes that offer cushioning, good arch support, and stable heels are a wise choice. If hammertoe pain and inflammation persist, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss treatment options available to you.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a painful type of arthritis caused by the buildup of monosodium urate crystals in the joints and tissues. These crystals form when uric acid levels in the blood become too high. Contributing factors include diet, alcohol intake, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, which reduce the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid. Symptoms include sudden joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, most often affecting the big toe due to its lower temperature and reduced circulation. A podiatrist can diagnose gout through an examination and testing, then provide treatments to reduce pain, prevent future attacks, and protect joint health. If you have pain in your big toe, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.