The human foot has 42 muscles, 26 bones, 33 joints, and at least 50 ligaments and tendons made of fibrous tissues to keep all the moving parts together. Your feet are an integral part of your everyday life, and as such, they experience a lot of wear and tear. In fact, it’s estimated that you’ll likely have walked 75,000 miles by the age of 50! Chances are you’ll develop several foot problems throughout your life. Keep reading to find out how to identify and treat common foot problems.
1. Your Heel Pain May Be Caused by Plantar Fasciitis
If your pain is in your heel, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. It commonly causes stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel and usually occurs with your first steps in the morning and can be triggered by long periods of standing or rising from sitting. There is no clear cause for this condition, but some risk factors include being obese, having a very high arch, and participating in activities that repetitively stress the heel, such as running.
Most people can manage plantar fasciitis with at-home treatment. Resting the foot and applying ice can reduce inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, can help with pain management. Getting custom orthotics from a pedorthist like Russell at The Shoe Doctor in Dublin, California is one solution you should explore.
“Plantar Fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel and usually occurs with your first steps in the morning and can be triggered by long periods of standing or rising from sitting.”
2. Bunions Are Common and Treatable
A bunion is a knobby bump on the side of the foot, just below the big toe joint. Bunions can vary in size and are the result of the big toe shifting out of position over time and pressing against the second toe, which results in abnormal stress on the big toe joint and surrounding ligaments.
Although bunions often require no medical treatment, see your doctor or a podiatrist if you have persistent big toe or foot pain, visible bump on your big toe joint, decreased movement of your big toe or foot, or difficulty finding shoes that fit properly because of a bunion. This condition should not be ignored; get an expert opinion or you could end up with no other option than surgery to correct a bunion.
“This condition should not be ignored; get an expert opinion or you could end up with no other option than surgery to correct a bunion.”
3. Corns and Calluses
Calluses are thickened areas of skin over parts of the feet where excessive amounts of pressure or friction occur. Corns occur on the toes where they rub against the shoe. Sometimes the tiniest callus or corn can cause intense pain because it extends deep into the layers of the skin and presses on sensitive nerves.
Corns can be caused by bunions, hammer toe, or ill-fitting shoes. Over time they become painful and should be treated. Corn plasters are available over the counter (OTC); they relieve pressure on the corn and allow it time to heal. In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgical removal. Getting custom orthotics from a pedorthist like Russell at The Shoe Doctor in Dublin, California is one solution we recommend you explore.
4. Metatarsalgia (Ball of the Foot Pain)
Metatarsalgia is a sharp pain in the area of the ball of the foot, which is given its shape by the rounded ends of the metatarsal bones. The pain can feel like a person is stepping on a stone and is usually eased by sitting down and worsened by walking barefoot. Many different conditions can cause metatarsalgia – most often faculty foot functioning, overuse, or a decreased fat pad on the sole of the foot.
Not all foot problems need medical care. It’s best not to ignore foot pain that lasts more than a few days. Talk to your doctor if you have a burning pain in the ball of your foot that doesn’t improve after changing your shoes and modifying your activities. Left untreated, metatarsalgia might lead to pain in other parts of the same or opposite foot and pain elsewhere in the body, such as the lower back or hip, due to limping from foot pain. Custom orthotics from a pedorthist like Russell at The Shoe Doctor in Dublin, California is one solution you should explore for your Metatarsalgia.
5. Gout
Gout is a condition that often affects your feet, especially in the big toe, because of too much uric acid in your body. The affected area may feel very painful. It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Gout can be aggravated for many reasons, such as from eating certain foods, and occurs most commonly in men between 40 and 50 years and in postmenopausal women.
If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint, call your doctor. Your doctor can treat gout and may recommend healthy lifestyle habits to manage symptoms. Gout that goes untreated can lead to worsening pain and joint damage. Seek medical care immediately if you have a fever and a joint is hot and inflamed, which can be a sign of infection.
Need Help?
The Shoe Doctor has specialized in providing custom orthotics for 20 years. The right insole can greatly reduce foot, knee and hip pains. Russell at The Shoe Doctor will help educate and assist you in finding the perfect solution for your particular situation. We will create a 3D map of your feet and make a custom orthotics for your shoes. These orthotics along with our expert advice will get you back to being able to walk peacefully. Our sole (ha ha!) purpose is to reduce your pain and make you comfortable again. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area (driving directions here), give The Shoe Doctor a call to get the best custom orthotics in the area! We are here to assist you, give us a call at (925) 820-0220 for your free consultation!
“Our sole (ha ha!) purpose is to reduce your pain and make you comfortable again. Call The Shoe Doctor for an appointment today!”
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/foot-pain-causes-and-treatments#1
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/foot-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050792
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319190.php
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/foot-health-pictures/common-foot-problems.aspx
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/painful-foot-conditions-1337744
- https://www.healthline.com/health/foot-problems#common-conditions
