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TOP TEN FOOT PROBLEMS

If you suffer from one of these common foot problems, our doctors can provide relief.

  1. Achilles Tendonitis: Irritation and inflammation of the tendon attached to back of the heel bone. Often caused by improper warm up or over-training, chronic pain or any swelling should be professionally evaluated. Treat with ice, rest, aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications.
  2. Bunions: Misaligned big toe joint which can become swollen and tender, causing the first joint to slant outward, and the second joint to angle toward other toes. Bunions tend to be hereditary, but can be aggravated by narrow shoes. Surgery is frequently recommended
  3. Hammertoe: Toe is bent in claw-like position, usually from muscle imbalance. Occurs most frequently with second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it, but smaller toes can also be affected. Select shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes.
  4. Heel Spur: Growth of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone. Heel spurs occur when the plantar tendon pulls at its attachment to the heel bone, and later calcifies. Proper warm-up and athletic shoes reduce strain to the ligament.
  5. Ingrown Toenail: Nail whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin. Frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity and poor foot structure. Prevent by trimming toenails straight across and selecting proper shoe style and size.
  6. Neuroma: Enlarged benign growths of nerves, most commonly between third and fourth toes. Caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating nerves, pressure from ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure. Treatments include orthotics (shoe inserts) and/or cortisone injections, but surgical removal sometimes necessary.
  7. Plantar Fasciitis: Heel pain commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Left unchecked, it can lead to alteration of lifestyle and deteriorating overall health. We evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe customized shoe inserts (orthotics) to help alleviate.
  8. Sesamoiditis: Sesamoids are two small bones found beneath the first metatarsal bones that can inflame or rupture under stress of exercise. Relieved by proper shoe selection and orthotics.
  9. Shin Splints: Pain to either side of the leg bone, caused by muscle or tendon inflammation. Commonly related to excessive foot pronation (collapsing arch), or muscle imbalance between opposing leg muscle groups. Proper stretching and corrective orthotics (shoe inserts) help prevent.
  10. Stress Fracture: Incomplete cracks in bone caused by overuse. Stress fractures heal quickly with complete rest. Left untreated, stress fractures may become complete fractures and require casting and immobilization. Extra shoe padding helps prevent.