Laser Treatment for Fungal Nails
This has been getting a lot of publicity all over the media and especially, on YouTube. Lots or providers widely touting it and its benefits. Fungal nails or onychomycosis is notoriously difficult to treat, so any new treatment that comes along needs to be considered. The problem with any treatment for fungal nails is that it can take 6 or more months to know if it works and the re-infection rate is so high. This means that even if a treatment is fantastic, there is no guarantee that you will not get the fungal nail problem again! Because of this good evidence is needed on the laser treatment of fungal nails compared to the other standard treatments. The laser treatment is not cheap and we just do not know how effective it is compared to other methods.
There is plenty of debate and advice, but no good scientific evidence as to it effectiveness.
Hallux Rigidus
Hallux rigidus is a problem of no or very limited motion at the big toe joint in the foot. It is almost always associated with osteoarthrtis of the joint and is usually painful. It also alters the gait and can result in compensations and symptoms in a number of other locations due to the way it alters the gait. The big toe joint is an important pivot for walking, so to loose that pivot due to hallux rigidus is significant. The only way to restore the pivot is with a rocker on the outside of the shoe or a surgical replacement of the joint. There are a number of things that can be done to help the symptoms and self exercises to mobilize the joint is always useful:
There is more on hallux rigidus at Podiatry Arena and you can ask a question about it at the Foot Health Forum.