Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is foot pain in the ball of your foot which is the area between your arch and your toes. It gets its name because the pain experienced is located in the metatarsals located in this part of the foot.

In this condition, one or more of the metatarsal joints becomes inflamed and possibly painful. People often develop a callus under the affected joint. There are many causes of Metetarsalgia including injuries, arthritis, poorly fitting shoes, and working on hard surfaces. Sometimes changing your shoes can help fix the problem, but we also recommend custom molded orthotics.

Dr. Vail!

The Advanced Footcare Clinic is the office of Dr. Thomas F. Vail, DPM, located in Findlay, Ohio. Dr. Vail is originally a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a cum laude graduate of Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Vail then went on to receive his medical degree (DPM) at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his surgical residency in Youngstown, Ohio, and completed an addition year specializing in minimal incision technologies in South Bend, Indiana.Dr. Vail is currently on staff at the Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay and Bluffton, as well as the Findlay Surgery Center. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, as well as its Ohio Affiliate. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) as well as being a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Powerstep Insoles

For patients looking for added comfort and support in their shoes, our office offers Powerstep insoles. These over-the-counter shoe inserts are to help realign joints in the body, as well as to support the foot, especially for the patient who may not bear their weight in a neutral position. These insoles are not only available in our office, but through our online store as well. Just visit http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=195&DEPARTMENT_ID=57

Powerstep Full-Length Insoles: support and comfort from heel to toe
The Podiatrist's Prescription for Pain Relief!

Powerstep Full-Length features a prescription-like arch support encased in a unique double-layer cushioned insole (orthotic), plus a contoured stabilizing heel cup.Provides effective relief for heel and arch pain.

Features:
-Powerstep Full-Length features a prescription-like orthotic and arch support with a polypropylene shell encased in a unique double-layer cushioned insole.
-The Powerstep insole also has a well-contoured stabilizing heel cradle and intrinsic neutral fore-foot and rear-foot posts.
-Powerstep insoles have a special anti-bacterial Sanitiz fabric topsheet that reduces friction, heat and perspiration and prevents slippage.
-Powerstep provides effective relief from heel and arch pain and other common conditions.
-Powerstep insoles in full-Length is available in 10 sizes to ensure optimal fit.

Product Number:
10000

Visit our online store for other footcare needs besides just the Powerstep insole: http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/

Pediatric Foot Care

Podiatrists are trained to care for the feet and ankles of patients of all ages and activity levels. Many foot ailments originate in childhood and some are even present at birth. It is a good idea to seek the advice of a podiatrist if you notice something about your baby's feet or child's feet that doesn't look normal. As children grow and their feet continue to develop, foot problems can result from injury, deformity, illness, hereditary factors, and improper footwear. If you think you child has any foot ailments that make walking difficult or uncomfortable you should have a thorough examination performed by a podiatrist. A podiatrist can also provide advice on ways to prevent sports-related injuries when your child starts to participate sports.

Not Sure if Orthotics are for You?

At our office, we insure that they are. We custom mold all of our orthotics to fit the individual's foot and footcare problems. They will be fit to your feet to help alleviate pain and reestablish good alignment, which may be the cause of other problems you are having not only in your feet but also in your ankles, knees, hips, back, and even your neck.
If you think that you may need orthotics, call our office at 419-423-1888. We will be happy to schedule you an appointment with Dr. Vail to evaluate your footcare needs!

Ankle, Knee, Hip and Back Pain

You may not realize it, but the pain you feel in your ankles, knees, hips or even back may stem from misalignment of your feet. When the feet are not carrying your weight correctly, it can cause many of your other major joints to be misaligned as well. Orthotics are useful in correcting the alignment of your feet, and redistributing your weight effectively, alleviating foot pain. But the use of these devices can also help to realign the improper way that your other joints bear weight as well. This can in turn help alleviate some of the pain you may be feeling in these joints.

Arthritis in your Big Toe

Orthotics can be used to treat arthritis in the big toe. In arthritis, the cartilage starts to crack and erode, resulting in bone rubbing on bone. As this is painful, extra bone is laid down at the edges of the joint to try and stop movement and thus symptoms. This is why arthritic joints are often enlarged.
When arthritis affects the big toe, it loses movement, becomes stiff and can cause pain, alter the way you walk and limit the heel height of the shoes you can wear. This condition is known as Hallux Limitus or Rigidus.
It can be more common in women as they tend to wear tighter, narrower shoes with increased heel height. These shoes place a lot of pressure onto the joint and predispose them to symptoms. It is also common for patients who wear shoes that are too small to be predisposed to the problem.
Orthotics can be useful in cases of arthritis, as the orthotics help to reposition the foot. This will help relieve the pressure placed on the hallux, and help alleviate the pain. The reduction of pressure can also help to slow the progression of the arthritic condition.