Calluses are thick skin that develops on the foot due to increased pressure from walking or standing for long amounts of time. If left untreated, calluses can cause pain and discomfort.
Issues that you have with your feet are obviously problematic because you use your feet all the time, but there are other reasons to get them checked out right away. Left untreated, foot problems can cause pain in other parts of the body, such as your ankles, knees, lower back, and hips.
A hammer toe is a deformity that results in a bony prominence on the top of or in between the toes. This can be due to heredity, but it can also be caused by improper or ill-fitting shoes. Supportive shoes with a roomy toe box are always recommended.
There are four types of neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that is common with people who have diabetes. Sensory neuropathy affects the nerves that control feeling, which is why diabetics require special footwear.
Remember, foot pain is not normal. If you are experiencing foot pain, ignoring the issue will only lead to more severe pain. Instead, a prompt appointment and diagnosis can end foot pain for good before it progresses.
Some common symptoms of faulty foot function include aching feet, heel pain, bunions, and pain in your shins, legs, and knees.
Foot or ankle numbness and soreness, or heel pain are signs that you need to see a podiatrist. Also, if you have bunions, corns, calluses, arch pain, discolored toenails, pain, and swelling or numbness in your feet ankles or toes, these need to be treated as well.
Although a person’s skin can have slight color variations for a number of factors, your feet should generally be roughly the same color. If you’ve noticed discoloration of just one of your feet, it’s time to see the podiatrist.
Did you know that foot fractures are one of the effects of osteoporosis? If you happen to have this condition, it is important that you see a podiatrist immediately should you suddenly suffer any pain in your feet.
Fallen arches (also called flat feet) is a common problem that many people experience. The root cause is a muscle and tendon imbalance in the foot. If this causes pain, a podiatrist can help diagnose the problem and recommend insoles, supports, or orthotics to correct it.
Women are more likely than men to develop bunions, but according to the NIH, the common belief that bunions are caused by footwear may be incorrect. In fact, bunions often run in families, so the primary cause may be a genetic predisposition.
Did you know that cutting toe nails on the corners and on the sides can lead to ingrown toenails? Instead, it is best to cut toenails straight across – and be sure not to cut toenails too short.
Are you tired of having to wear sneakers everywhere because the rest of your footwear hurts too much? Let’s examine your foot to find out what’s causing so many problems.
There are some common symptoms which indicate you should make an appointment with your podiatrist right away. These include persistent pain in the feet, odd changes to the skin on your feet, severe blisters, cracking, or peeling, or signs of a bacterial infection.
Because it is difficult to find a perfect fit for shoes unless the shoes are entirely custom made, it is best to take advantage of inserts and even the services of professional shoemakers to ensure that feet are completely happy in their footwear.
Many people go through life wearing shoes that are too small for them. Go shoe shopping at the end of the day, when your feet have swollen some from the day’s use. If one foot is bigger than the other, always buy the larger pair.
Did you know that you can get stress fractures on the bones on your foot? Runners, gymnasts, and dancers are more prone to these kinds of fractures, but they can also happen by simply tripping or stumbling and landing the wrong way.
While gaining in popularity, did you know that barefoot running can potentially destroy your feet? This is because the unprotected feet are subject to shock damage and other injury risks.
Not all heel spurs are painful. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, as much as 20 percent of the population may have heel spurs; but they have none of the tenderness, pain, or difficulty walking typically associated with the condition.
Keeping your feet as healthy as possible is important for everyone, but it’s especially vital for diabetics, who have an amputation rate that’s ten times higher than those without the disorder. Your podiatrist will work out an ongoing care plan to reduce your risk substantially.
When your foot strikes the ground, your heel should hit evenly. If your shoes show the tell-tale signs of wearing out on the inside or outside of the heel, this is a sign of a foot issue.
The top concern for a majority of nursing home patients is retaining as much independence as possible. Mobility means independence for older Americans, but foot conditions can take away mobility.
Bummed by blisters on your last run or hike? Switch the cotton socks for a moisture-wicking pair. Wear your socks inside out to avoid seams rubbing your nails.
Podiatrists are experts in treating a number of foot and ankle ailments, disorders, and diseases using both medical and surgical techniques. This includes tumors, ulcers, fractures, diseases of the toenails, and foot deformities.