Common Foot Problems

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.

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.

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.

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. Permanent removal of the ingrown nail border usually prevents recurrence. This procedure is done in the office with local anesthetic. 

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.

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.  The pain will usually resolve with appropriate conservative treatment.  Untreated, the pain can last for years. 

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.

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.

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 will heal. Extra padding in shoes helps prevent the condition. Note: Stress fractures left untreated may become complete fractures, which require casting and immobilization or surgery.

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