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Our feet carry us through life and bear the brunt of our daily activities. From standing for long hours to wearing ill-fitting shoes, our feet go through a lot, but often, their health goes unnoticed unless a foot problem surfaces. In this article, we will discuss ten common foot problems that many Americans face and their treatment options that can help you have healthier and happier feet.
| Common Foot Problem | Possible Treatment Option |
|---|---|
| 1. Plantar Fasciitis | Exercise, use supportive footwear, orthotic inserts, and electrotherapy |
| 2. Heel Spurs | Try physical therapy, massage therapy, temperature therapy, and orthotic supports |
| 3. Bunions | Wide-toe box shoes, protective silicone pads, toe separators, and bunion splints |
| 4. Ingrown Toenails | Soak the foot in warm water, avoid tight shoes, seek medical help |
| 5. Athlete's Foot | Use over-the-counter antifungal creams containing ingredients such as miconazole, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, butenafine, and terbinafine. |
| 6. Gout | Maintain a healthy weight, cut on alcohol and purine-rich foods, limit range of motion, keep yourself hydrated |
| 7. Corns and calluses | Use foot filers, wear toe caps, buy shoes that have enough room, and use orthotic inserts |
| 8. Neuroma | Use arch supports, metatarsal pads, and custom-made shoe orthotics |
| 9. Achilles Tendinitis | Use RICE method, orthotic supports, compression sleeves, ankle wraps, and orthopedic wedges |
| 10. Diabetic Neuropathy | Keep blood sugar levels in check, avoid alcohol and smoking, take prescription pain killers, follow diabetic diet, exercise, and maintain foot hygiene |
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot problems that causes heel pain. It is a condition that leads to inflammation in the connective tissue known as plantar fascia, which connects the heel bone to the toes and makes it hard to do simple tasks such as walking. It can also cause heel pain in the morning, which subsides as you get up and start moving.
According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, anything that irritates or damages your plantar fascia can cause plantar fasciitis, including:
The same article also states that some health conditions, such as high arch feet, flat feet, or obesity, can also cause plantar fasciitis.
There are many at-home treatment options to curb the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. These treatments include -
Many doctors prescribe night splints braces worn to bed to manage heel pain at night. Night splints gradually stretch the plantar fascia and calf muscles, keeping the foot in a position that points the toes upward. They also help improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation in the affected area.
These are calcium deposits under the heel bone. Although painless, they can cause moderate to severe pain in the heels in some cases. These are caused due to excessive strain on foot muscles. Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis. It can make the feet hurt while walking and cause dull aches throughout the day.
According to a WebMD article, heel spurs are especially common among athletes who run and jump more than a normal person. Some other causes of heel spurs include -
Apart from the surgical interventions, heel spurs can be managed by using -
These are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe. They are both painful and unpleasant to look at. Bunions are often associated with a condition known as Hallux Valgus, where the big toe starts to tilt toward the smaller toes and the outside of the foot. These bony bumps develop very slowly and are often caused due to shoe irritation.
According to an article published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, bunions may be caused due to -
Although there are some surgical treatments for bunions, they can only help reduce pain and not reverse it completely. Some non-surgical treatment options may include the use of-
An ingrown toenail, as the name suggests, is a nail that grows into the surrounding skin, leads to pain, and can potentially cause infection if not treated on time. It is one of the most common foot problems, which can lead to swelling and inflammation around the toenail.
Doctors suggest soaking the affected foot in warm water and avoiding tight shoes. If the problem persists, seeking professional care is crucial to prevent complications. If you have diabetes, check your feet regularly for signs of diabetic foot problems.
Athlete's foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a contagious fungal infection that occurs on the skin of the feet. It usually begins between the toes and causes itching and discomfort. Though anyone can get an athlete's foot, some are more prone than others.
These are generally treated using over-the-counter antifungal creams containing highly effective ingredients such as miconazole, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, butenafine, and terbinafine. If your body does not respond to these creams, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral prescription-strength medications to treat the infection.
Another very common foot problem is gout. It is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints. The symptoms usually subside within a week or two but can return. According to an article published by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, gout happens when high levels of serum urate build up in the body. This causes needle-shaped crystals to form in and around the joint, leading to inflammation and arthritis.
There are many potential causes of developing gout, including -
Many experts prescribe many treatment options. For instance, a dietician can provide you with dietary changes to improve your health. Similarly, a rheumatologist can help you figure out a way to keep your bones, joints, and muscles healthy and reduce the pain in the feet. Some common treatment options include -
Another common foot problem is corns and calluses. Although these are addressed together, they are slightly different conditions. Corns are small, thickened skin bumps with hard centers usually located on the toes or the bottom of the foot. Calluses are rough skin patches found on the heel or ball of the foot. The difference between the two is that corns are usually smaller than calluses, which are yellow in appearance. Other than that, they have similar causes and symptoms. Both of these can be painful to touch and cause inflammation.
Usually, corns and calluses are benign; however, if you don't like how they make your feet look or cause pain or swelling in the feet, consider consulting your podiatrist. They are most likely to prescribe any or all of the following -
Also known as Morton's Neuroma, this condition causes thickening of the nerve tissue and can cause pain and discomfort. It commonly affects the area between the third and fourth toes.
Treating Neuroma depends on how severe the symptoms are. Some of the conservative treatment approaches include -
If none of the above methods work, your doctor will most likely suggest surgical intervention or steroid injections to treat Neuroma.
It is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, a tissue band that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis can cause severe foot pain, inflammation, tenderness, or stiffness, especially in the morning, which gets milder as you resume activity.
Although anybody can incur an overuse injury, some people are more prone to Achilles tendinitis than others, such as -
It usually gets better with the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. To elevate the leg and improve healing, you can use orthotic supports, compression sleeves, ankle wraps, and orthopedic wedges. If the symptoms do not improve, consult with your doctor.
It is a common diabetic foot problem that causes nerve damage in people with high blood sugar. Diabetic neuropathy can also affect the digestive system, urinary tract, heart health, and blood vessels. Most commonly, it leads to numbness in the legs, hands, and feet, foot infections and ulcers, muscle weakness, and tingling sensations.
Although the exact reason for it is unknown, fluctuations in blood sugar levels due to diabetes can lead to nerve damage over time. Apart from this, family history and alcoholism can also lead to foot problems in diabetics.
Unfortunately, this foot condition has no known cure. However, some preservative measures can help slow its progression. These measures include -
Foot care is a vital aspect of overall well-being. While these common foot problems can be resolved with proactive steps and the use of certain foot support products, it is important to always consult a doctor before proceeding with any treatment option. If you have persistent or severe foot problems that are causing foot pain and hampering your daily life, consult with a podiatrist immediately.
HPFY has been online since 2002. We carry an array of foot care products, including heel cups, diabetic foot care supplies, and other pain relief products to deal with common foot problems. Explore our catalog today to find all that you need to stay healthy.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics, and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our reviewed content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
Shweta Chaubey, has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. An advocate-turned-writer, her desire to create meaningful and positive content has brought her to HPFY and what better than writing ...
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