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Dr Mark Nelson
Foot & Ankle
Specialist
Clinic Home Page
Foot
Care Store
Foot Medical Information
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"Top 10" Foot Problems
| Foot Ailment |
Description |
Treatment |
| Achilles Tendonitis |
Irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of
the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis can be caused by improper warm up or
overtraining. |
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 |
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. |
Surgery by a podiatric physician is frequently recommended to correct
the problem. |
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| Hammertoe |
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. |
Selecting shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes will alleviate
aggravation. |
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| Heel Spurs |
Growths 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. This area of the heel can later calcify to form a spur. |
With proper warm-up and the use of appropriate athletic shoes, strain
to the ligament can be reduced. |
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| Ingrown Toenails |
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. |
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 |
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. |
Treatments include orthoses (shoe inserts) and/or cortisone
injections, but surgical removal of the growth is sometimes necessary. |
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| Plantar Fasciitis |
Plantar fasciitis (or heel pain) is commonly traced to an inflammation
on the bottom of the foot. |
A podiatric physician can evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe
customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the pain. |
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| Sesamoiditis |
Sometimes known as the "ball bearings of the foot," the sesamoids are
two small bones found beneath the first metatarsal bones. They can inflame
or rupture under the stress of exercise. |
Sesamoiditis can be relieved with proper shoe selection and orthoses. |
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| Shin Splints |
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. |
Proper stretching and corrective orthoses (shoe inserts) for pronation
can help prevent shin splints. |
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| Stress Fractures |
One of the various types of fractures, stress fractures require vastly
different treatment. Stress fractures are incomplete cracks in bone caused
by overuse. |
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. |
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Source: The Foot Health Foundation of
America, a national health initiative of the American Podiatric Medical
Association.
Reprinted with permission from the American Podiatric Medical Association
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Dr. Nelson's "Top 10 Tips" for
Treating Plantar Fasciitis (aka - "Heel Spurs")
1) Wear a
custom-made prescription orthotic (best treatment) or a quality pre-made type
orthotic.
- *very important*
2) Use a "Strassburg
Sock" type night splint while sleeping to gently stretch the plantar fascia.
- *very important*
3) Do "runner's
stretches" (or other stretches) to stretch the back of the calves and the
arch of the foot. - *very important*
4) Stretch the arch of the foot in bed before getting out of bed in the morning.
5) Take
anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), if you can tolerate them, but be
cautious of possible dangerous side effects.
6) Apply ice to
the arch and heel after being active on the foot.
7) Don't run, jog
or use stair climbers until the pain resolves.
8) Don't climb
ladders, don't walk barefoot, avoid going up/down stairs, avoid prolonged
walking/standing, avoid smoking.
9) If overweight,
try to lose weight.
10) If not
improving, see your podiatrist who may be able to offer you other treatments,
such as "cortisone" injections, anti-inflammatory medications, extracorporial shock wave therapy,
physical therapy, surgery and more.
The Strassburg Sock ™
The
Strassburg Sock treats plantar fasciitis heel pain at night while you sleep in comfort. Plantar
fasciitis is also commonly called "heel spur syndrome" or "heel spurs".
This style of night splint is much more comfortable to wear while sleeping than
traditional hard plastic back (or front) style night splints. Plus, the
Strassburg Sock night splint is much less expensive than most other styles of
night splints.
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