Jelly Belly Be Gone

From bunions to broken toes, doctors with the 6,000-member American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) have heard it all. Here are five myths about foot care we need to observe, as we plan our exercise routine, and the realities behind them.

Myth: Cutting a notch (a “V”) in a toenail will relieve the pain of ingrown toenails.

Reality: When a toenail is ingrown, the nail curves downward and grows into the skin. Cutting a “V” does not affect the growth of the toenail. It may actually cause more problems and is painful in many cases.

Myth: My foot or ankle can’t be broken if I can walk on it.

Reality: It’s entirely possible to walk on a foot or ankle with a broken bone. It depends on your threshold for pain, as well as the severity of the injury. However, it’s crucial to stay off an injured foot until diagnosis by a foot and ankle surgeon.

Myth: Shoes cause bunions.

Reality: Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. Certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion. While wearing shoes that crowd the toes together can, over time, make bunions more painful, shoes themselves do not cause bunions. Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery can correct the deformity.

Myth: A doctor can’t fix a broken toe.

Reality: There are things we can do to make a broken toe heal better and prevent problems ( like arthritis or toe deformities) later on. A foot and ankle surgeon will x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.

Myth: Corns have roots.

Reality: A corn is a small build-up of skin caused by friction, where the toe knuckle rubs against the shoe. Attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection or even amputation. A foot and ankle surgeon can safely evaluate and remove a corns; or treat the conditions contributing to them.