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6633 Highway 7 East Suite 102, Markham, ON. L3P 7P2 | 905-294-8087

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Ulcers

At the Markham Foot Care Clinic, we believe that patients can better recognize a  foot or ankle problem when they understand what  their problem is, what is causing it , and how it is treated. That is why we offer a wonderful resource for our patients: the Patient Education Library.

Our library has a vast amount of information about a wide range of foot and ankle problems along with advice and tips about  how to keep your feet as healthy as possible. If you have questions about How to Pick the Right Shoe, What are the Signs of An Ingrown Toenail, What is a Bunion, or any other foot or ankle related question, don’t hesitate to consult our website!

The links in the left column of this page will take you to pages full of useful information concerning the world of feet. If you would  like to keep informed  about what’s new with feet or would like to get more great tips about foot care, like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter, watch our videos on youtube, or subscribe to our blogs!

Ulcers are skin wounds that are slow to heal. In the foot, as prominent metatarsal heads on the plantar (bottom of the foot)are subjected to increased pressure, the skin begins to become callused. When subjected to shearing forces, there is a separation between the layers on this callused skin, which fills with fluid and becomes contaminated and infected. The result is a foot ulcer.

Ulcers are classified in four stages, according to how deeply they penetrate the layers of skin they have broken through.

The four stages of ulcers are:

  • Stage 1—Characterized by reddening wounds over bony areas. The redness on the skin does not go away when pressure is relieved.
  • Stage 2—Characterized by blisters, peeling, or cracked skin. There is a partial thickness skin loss involving the top two layers of the skin.
  • Stage 3—Characterized by broken skin and sometimes bloody drainage. There is a full thickness skin loss involving subcutaneous tissue (the tissue between the skin and the muscle.)
  • Stage 4—Characterized by breaks in the skin involving skin, muscle, tendon, and bone and are often associated with a bone infection (osteomyelitis).

The are also four major cause of foot ulcers:

  • Neuropathic—Related to the nerves and characterized by a loss of sensation in the feet.
  • Arterial—Related to poor blood circulation to the lower extremity. This type of ulcer can be very painful and is usually found on the tips of toes, lower legs, ankle, heel, and top of the foot. It can very easily become infected.
  • Venous—Related to compromised veins. These ulcers are often seen around the inside of the ankle and are slow to heal.
  • Decubitus—Derived from excessive and prolonged pressure on one area of the foot. The most common type of decubitus ulcer of the feet is bed sores on the backs of the heels of people confined to bed for long periods of time.

Foot ulcers are a common problem for diabetics. Contact casts are sometimes applied to the diabetic foot to relieve the bony prominent areas of pressure, allowing ulcers to heal.


Learn More

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Patient Education

Patient Education
  • What is a Chiropodist/Podiatrist?
  • When To Call a Chiropodist
  • Foot and Ankle Problems
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    • Achilles Problems
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      • Osteochondritis
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      • Metatarsalgia (foot pain in ball)
      • Plantar Fibromas (lumps in the arch of the foot)
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      • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections)
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  • Foot Care
    • Basic Foot Care Guidelines
    • Athletic Foot Care
    • Blisters
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    • Foot Self-Exam
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    • Self-Assessment Quiz
    • Women's Feet
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6633 Highway 7 East
Suite 102
Markham, ON.
L3P 7P2
905-294-8087

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Podiatric Medicine - Markham, Markham Foot Care Clinic and Orthotics, 6633 Highway 7, Suite 102 East Markham ON, L3P 7P2 905-294-8087

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