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Achilles
Tendinitis
•
Bunions
•
Hammer
Toes
•
Heel
Spurs
•
Ingrown
Toenails
•
Neuromas
•
Plantar
Fasciitis
•
Sesamoiditis
•
Shin
Splints
•
Stress
Fractures
Achilles
Tendinitis
Definition Irritation
and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the
heel bone. Achilles tendinitis can be caused by improper warm
up or overtraining.
Treatment
Can be treated with ice, rest, aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications.
Chronic pain or any swelling should be professionally evaluated.
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Bunions
Definition Misaligned
big toe joints which can become swollen and tender, causing the
first joint of the big toe to slant outward, and the second joint
to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to be hereditary,
but can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot
and toe.
Treatment
Surgery by a podiatric physician is sometimes required to correct
the problem.
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Hammer
Toes
Definition
A condition, usually stemming from muscle imbalance, in which
the toe is bent in a claw-like position. It occurs most frequently
with the second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward
and under it, but any of the other three smaller toes can be affected.
Treatment
Selecting shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes will alleviate
aggravation. Surgery is sometimes an option as well.
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Heel
Spurs (medical term: Plantar Fasciitis)
Definition
Growths of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone. Heel
spurs occur when the plantar tendon (plantar fascia) pulls at
its attachment to the heel bone. This area of the heel can later
calcify to form a spur.
Treatment
With proper warm-up and the use of appropriate athletic shoes,
strain to the ligament can be reduced.
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Ingrown
Toenails
Definition Nails
whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin. Ingrown toenails
are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe
pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity and poor foot structure.
Women are 50% more likely to have ingrown toenails than men.
Treatment
Can be prevented by trimming toenails straight across, selecting
proper shoe style and size – not too tapered or shallow
– and paying special attention to foot pain.
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Neuromas
Definition Enlarged
benign growths of nerves, most commonly between the third and
fourth toes. They are caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating
the nerves. Pressure from ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure
can create the condition as well.
Treatment
Use of orthoses (shoe inserts) and/or cortisone injections, but
surgical removal of the growth is sometimes necessary.
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Plantar
Fasciitis
Definition Plantar
fasciitis (or more commonly referred to as a "heel spur")
is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot.
Treatment
A podiatric physician can evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe
customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the
pain. Other prescribed treatments include: stretching, ice, rest,
anti-inflamatory medication, steroid injections and proper support.
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Sesamoiditis
Definition Sometimes
known as the "ball bearings of the foot," the sesamoids are two
small bones found beneath the first metatarsal bones. They can
become inflamed or fractured under the stress of exercise.
Treatment
Sesamoiditis can be relieved with proper shoe selection and orthoses.
Occasionally, steroid injections o surgery is necessary.
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Shin
Splints
Definition Pain
to either side of the leg bone, caused by muscle or tendon inflammation.
It is commonly related to excessive foot pronation (collapsing
arch), but may be related to a muscle imbalance between opposing
muscle groups in the leg.
Treatment
Proper stretching and corrective orthoses (shoe inserts) for pronation
can help prevent shin splints.
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Stress
Fractures
Definition One of
the various types of fractures, stress fractures require vastly
different treatment. Stress fractures are incomplete cracks in
bone caused by overuse.
Treatment
With complete rest, stress fractures heal quickly. Extra padding
in shoes helps prevent the condition. Note:
Stress fractures left untreated may become complete fractures,
which require casting and immobilization.
Education & Reference: What
Is Podiatry? | Common Problems
Terms & Treatments | Diabetic
Foot Care | ESWT - Shockwave Therapy
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