Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L

M N O P R S T U V W X All

Achilles Tendon - The tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone. The Achilles Tendon is one of the longest and strongest tendons in the body.

Amputation - Removal of part or all of a body part enclosed by skin. Those with diabetes can get foot infections that, if left untreated, can lead to an amputation.

Ankle Sprain - A common injury in which the ligaments of the ankle are over-stretched and the ligaments may partially or completely tear due to sudden stresses.

APMA - Short for “American Podiatric Medical Association,” APMA is the leading resource for foot and ankle health information and the largest association for podiatrists in the United States, representing more than 12,000 podiatrists—nearly 80 percent of all podiatrists in America.

Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness. Often affects the joints in the feet.

Athlete's Foot - A common skin infection of the foot, caused by fungus. Symptoms can include blisters and red, itchy, scaly skin around the feet and between toes.

Biomechanics - The mechanics of biological and muscular activity.

Blister - A collection of fluid underneath the top layer of skin (epidermis). Blisters often occur on the feet.

Bone Spur - A tiny pointed outgrowth of bone, which can be found in the feet. Also see Calcaneal Spur.

Bunion - An enlargement of the inner portion of the joint at the base of the big toe.

Bunionectomy - The surgical removal of a bunion.

Bursitis - Inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body.

Calcaneal Spur - A bony growth projecting from the back or underside of the heel bone (the calcaneus) that is often associated with pain and inflammation on the bottom or back of the heel. A calcaneal spur is also called a heel spur.

Calcaneus - More commonly referred to as the heel bone, it is the rectangular bone at the back of the foot.

Callus - A localized firm thickening of the upper layer of skin. A callus on the skin of the foot has become thick and hard from rubbing (as a result of repetitive friction). Calluses of the feet may lead to other problems such as serious infections.

Cast - A protective shell of plaster or fiberglass molded to hold in position and protect a broken or fractured limb as it heals.

Clubfoot - A malformation of the foot evident at birth. The foot is turned in sharply so that the person seems to be walking on their ankle. Clubfoot can sometimes, but not always, be corrected with a combination of surgery, bracing, and physical therapy.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - A chronic pain condition of continuous, intense pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury, which gets worse rather than better over time. CRPS most often affects one of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

Corn - A focal, thickened area of skin caused by local pressure irritating tissue over a bony bump.

Cuboid Bone - The outer bone in the instep of the foot. It is called the cuboid bone because it is shaped like a cube.

Cuneiform Bone - Three small, triangular bones in the mid-foot.

Cyst - A closed, saclike structure that contains fluid, gas, or semi-solid material and is not a normal part of the tissue where it is located. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body in people of any age.

Debridement - Removing dead, contaminated, or adherent tissue or foreign material. The purpose of wound debridement is to remove all materials that may promote infection and bring blood to the wound area to stimulate healing.

Diabetes - Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, which result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Symptoms of diabetes may be detected in the feet and diabetes can have numerous negative effects on the feet, including neuropathy, wounds, and amputation.

DPM - Short for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine;” the degree of a podiatrist. See Podiatrist.

Epidermis - The top layer of skin.

External Fixation - A surgical procedure that stabilizes and joins the ends of fractured (broken) bones by insertion of pins affixed to an external device, such as a metal bar or frame.

Flat Feet - A condition of the feet in which the arch height of the instep is reduced and most of the sole touches the ground.

Forefoot - The front part of the human foot.

Fracture - The breaking of bone.

Fusion - The surgical immobilization of a joint, such as the ankle, by joining two adjacent bones so that they grow together and do not move.

Gait - A manner of walking. Observation of the gait can provide clues to a number of diagnoses including Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, congenital dislocation of the hip, and stroke.

Gangrene - The death of body tissue due to the loss of blood supply to that tissue, sometimes permitting bacteria to invade it, accelerating its decay.

Gout - A condition characterized by abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, arthritis (recurring attacks of joint inflammation), tophus (deposits of lumps of uric acid in and around the joints), and decreased kidney function and kidney stones.

Haglund's Deformity - A foot disorder characterized by a boney bump on the back of the heel bone (calcaneus). It is a common cause of posterior Achilles bursitis, commonly referred to as “pump bump.”

Hallux - What the ancient Romans called the big toe. This word is still used commonly in medicine.

Hallux Varus - A condition where the big toe (hallux) bends away (varus) from the other toes.

Hammer Toe - A flexed or curled toe. These may be flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid and may require surgical correction.

Heel Pain - Abnormalities of the skin, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues of the heel can all result in pain. Treatments for heel pain depend on the particular cause.

Heel Spur - A bony enlargement projecting from the back or underside of the heel that often makes walking painful.

Hematoma - A localized collection of blood in which the blood is accumulated as clotted or partially so, and is usually situated within an organ or a soft tissue space, such as within a muscle.

In-Toeing - Condition in which a child walks/stands with the toes pointing inward, due to a malalignment of the hip or position of the leg bones or feet; it is often more noticeable in toddlers and usually improves with age.

Ingrown Toenail - A common disorder that occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin of the toe. The corner of the nail curves down into the skin, often due to mis-trimming of the nail, genetics, or shoes that are too tight. An ingrown toenail can be painful and lead to infection.

Joint - The cartilage-covered point of contact between bones in an animal skeleton fixed together with the surrounding and supporting structures, such as membranes, tendons, or ligaments.

Jones Fracture - A fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. The fifth metatarsal bone is found near the base of the small toe.

Keloid - A scar that continues to grow after the wound is healed, becoming very thick and unsightly. A keloid grows outside or bigger than the original wound.

Keratoma - An area of hardened, thickened skin. A keratoma may also be called a callus or corn.

Keratosis - A localized horny overgrowth of the upper layer of skin such as a callus or corn.

Kinesiology - The study of muscles and their movement.

Last - The form used in shoemaking to shape a shoe in the rough form of a human foot.

Ligament - A tough band of connective tissue that connects structures such as two bones.

Lisfranc's Fracture - A fracture and dislocation of the joints in the mid-foot, commonly where a cluster of small bones forms an arch on top of the foot between the ankle and the toes.

Metatarsal - Cylindrical bone that extends from the mid-foot to the base of the toes (five total).

Metatarsalgia - A cramping, burning pain below and between the metatarsal bones (a group of long bones in the foot) where they join the toe bones.

Metatarsus Adductus - A foot deformity commonly first seen in infants, characterized by a sharp inward angle of the front half of the foot. It is a flexible deformity; the foot can be straightened and poses little risk for the infant, but if left uncorrected, it can become rigid with age.

Morton's Neuroma - A swollen, inflamed nerve in the ball of the foot, commonly at the base of the toes between the metatarsal heads (the ends of each in a group of long bones in the foot). Often caused by chronic compression.

Navicular - The one of the seven tarsal bones (a group located mid- and rear- foot) of the human foot that is situated on the big-toe side between the talus (lower part of the ankle joint) and the cuneiform (heel) bones. It is also called the scaphoid.

Neuroma - A pinched nerve in the ball of the foot that can become thickened and scarred, producing pain and or numbness. See Morton’s Neuroma.

Neuropathy - An abnormal and usually degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves (associated with numbness and or pain).

Onychodystrophic - A nail that is thickened and deformed.

Onychomycosis - Fungal infection of the nails.

Orthopedic - Marked by or affected with a deformity, disorder, or injury of the skeleton and associated structures.

Orthotics (Shoe Inserts) - A custom support, brace, or splint intended to functionally adjust an abnormal or irregular walking pattern (gait), by slightly altering the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.

Paronychia - Term used to describe an infected, ingrown nail.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) - Damage to or dysfunction of the arteries outside the heart, resulting in reduced blood flow to the extremities, especially the feet.

Phalanx - Any one of the bones in the fingers or toes (plural - phalanges).

Plantar Fasciitis - Inflammation of the plantar fascia (fasciitis), the "bowstring-like" tissue in the sole of the foot stretching from the heel to the front of the ball of the foot.

Plantar Warts - Warts that grow on the soles (bottom or plantar surface) of the feet. See Warts.

Podiatric Medicine - The sub-specialty of medicine within which a podiatrist works, providing surgical and medical care to the foot and ankle area and their associated structures.

Podiatric Physician - A podiatrist, also known as a podiatric physician, is a foot and ankle specialist uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat related ailments. See Podiatric Medicine.

Podiatrist - A podiatrist, also known as a podiatric physician, is a foot and ankle specialist uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat related ailments. See Podiatric Medicine.

Pronation - The inward roll of the foot during normal motion. Occurs as the outer edge of the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward.

Psoriasis - A reddish, scaly skin change that can present on the feet as well as other areas. May include joint changes. See Arthritis.

Pump Bump - See Haglund’s Deformity.

Rash - A change in the color and texture of skin that usually causes an outbreak of red patches or bumps on the skin

Raynaud's Disease - A vascular condition resulting in skin discoloration of the fingers and/or toes when a person is exposed to changes in temperature (cold or hot) or to emotional events.

Reflect Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) - A condition that features a group of typical symptoms, including burning pain, tenderness, and swelling of an extremity associated with varying degrees of sweating, warmth and/or coolness, flushing, discoloration, and shiny skin. The most recent terminology for this is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). See Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Seal of Acceptance - Awarded by the American Podiatric Medical Association to specific footwear, insoles, hosiery, materials, and equipment that allow for normal foot function and promote quality foot health.

Seal of Approval - Awarded by the American Podiatric Medical Association to specific prescription and nonprescription therapeutic (medical) agents and their adjuncts (pharmaceuticals) that promote quality foot health.

Sesamoid Bone - A bone embedded in a joint capsule or tendon used to facilitate leverage of work in that area (such as the big toe to the foot joint and the knee cap).

Sever's Disease - Inflammation of the growth plate (apophysis) of the calcaneus, the bone at the back of the foot. Common in adolescent or older children, particularly active ones. Also known as calcaneal apophysitis.

Shin Splints - Overuse injuries to the front of the leg muscles that seem to result from undue stress to the area by strain. See Pronation.

Sole - The bottom of the foot or shoe.

Splint - Material or a device used to protect and immobilize a body part.

Sprain - An injury to a ligament that results from overuse or trauma.

Stress Fracture - A fracture caused by undue or repeated stress, as may occur in sports, strenuous exercise, or heavy physical labor. May be difficult to diagnose because this hairline fracture may not initially show on x-rays. Also known as a “march” fracture.

Tailor's Bunion - A type of joint change/enlargement that forms on the fifth metatarsal bone attached to the little toe. See Bunion.

Talus - The ankle bone.

Tendinitis - Inflammation of a tendon (the tissue by which muscle attaches to bone).

Tinea Pedis - Skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus, commonly known as Athlete’s Foot. See Athlete’s Foot.

Toenail Fungus - Foot condition that causes nail changes often including discoloration, odor, thickness, and debris build-up. See Onychomycosis.

Type I Diabetes - An autoimmune disease that destroys a portion of the pancreas needed to produce insulin, so that the pancreas can't make the proper insulin to address the glucose in your body. Symptoms of diabetes may be detected in the feet.

Ulcer / Ulceration - An area of tissue erosion of the skin. Foot ulcers are common in those affected by diabetes.

Ungual - Pertaining to the fingernail or toenail.

Valgus - Angled outward, bent or twisted outward.

Varus - Angled inward, bent or twisted inward.

Verruca - Another word for warts. See Warts.

Warts - A virally-induced skin change, often first noted by an increased local growth of the top layer of the skin. See Epidermis; Warts, Plantar.

Wheal - Elevation of skin accompanied by itching associated with an allergic reaction.

X-Rays - High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-rays are used for making images that help to diagnose foot ailments or disease.

Xerosis - Dry skin.

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