Archive for July, 2009
Pain In the Ball of the Foot Could Be Serious
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 22, 2009
The ball of the foot is one of the most common areas of foot pain. The ball is the entire pad before each toe, covering the full width of the foot, not just the area under the big toe. The pain can have many causes; additionally, this area is subjected to tremendous pressure with every step we take. It’s a wonder it holds up so well in spite of the wear and tear it receives.
Outside of an injury, the two most common conditions that affect the ball of the foot are a pinched nerve and an inflamed joint. The most common location of a pinched nerve is between the 3rd and 4th toes, while an inflamed joint usually shows up on the toe next to the big toe.
The symptoms of a pinched nerve (morton’s neuroma) consist of aching, sharp pain, burning or numbness. A neuroma occurs when nerve tissue begins to thicken.There are several causes of a pinched nerve, including ill-fitting shoes which put pressure on the ball of the foot; sometimes it indicates a pre-diabetic condition.
An inflamed joint in the ball of the foot is extremely common. Many people describe this pain as a feeling of something bunched up under their foot, like their sock. Generally, an inflamed joint can be attributed to an overload of weight on the ball of the foot. A person with flat feet is most prone to this condition, because flat feet mechanically force more weight on this joint. Runner’s often experience this condition from the pushing off motion, as do women who frequently wear high-heeled shoes.
Some of the other common causes of pain in the ball of the foot are wearing shoes with little cushioning, extremely high arches, standing on concrete all day, and wearing away of the protective foot pad. The symptoms are generally all similar, including aching, throbbing, burning, sharpness and numbness.
Most conditions in the ball of the foot can be successfully treated by a podiatrist. Like many other foot problems, if it is left untreated the body will compensate. This can lead to pain elsewhere in the foot and in the body. If you experience pain in the ball of your foot, try wearing quality supportive shoes consistently. Alternatively, inserting a foot cushion designed to cushion the metatarsal pad can also provide relief. If the pain persists the next step is to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to avoid further damage to the foot.
Get Rid of Your Back Pain by Fixing Your Feet
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 21, 2009
One of the most incapacitating injuries in the general population in our country is chronic low back pain. The problem is so severe that one-half of all Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chronic low back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, $50 billion dollars is spent each year on treating low back pain.
Recent research suggests that back pain may be closely linked to poor or improper biomechanics. Many researchers, in fact agree that chronic low back pain may be significantly related to how you walk (gait style), a reason we are shifting our focus to the feet to treat hip and back pain.
Everyone knows that low back pain is a recurrent problem. One predominant reason is because most doctors do not look at the way you walk. One flaw in your gait style can lead to strain on your back. Using custom foot orthotics to change the mechanics of foot function may improve hip extension and create prolonged relief of low back symptoms.
Using foot orthotics to effectively treat hip and low back problems has been studied extensively by podiatrists specializing in this area of foot care. It has been found through computerized in-shoe testing, that a specialized foot orthotic eliminates the flaw that causes strain on the back. Getting the feet to function exactly like they are supposed to allows the hips to extend properly. Normal hip extension, changing the gait as a person walks, eliminates strain on the back.
There are countless cases of custom foot orthotics relieving hip and back pain for the clients of podiatrists. Anyone who suffers from chronic hip or back pain should be sure to consider this solution and be evaluated by a podiatrist to assess their feet and observe their walking patterns. Since your doctor may not consider your feet as the possible cause of the pain, you will have to take it upon yourself to be proactive and see a specialist.
Medications, rest, exercise and losing weight may all be effective in relieving hip and back pain. Unfortunately, they are not a cure in most cases. Eliminating the cause of the pain should be the ultimate goal. Since faulty foot mechanics is often the cause of back pain, using custom foot orthotics can be provide a lifetime of relief from this otherwise chronic condition.
Bunions: Get Attention Before They are No Longer Correctible
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 19, 2009
Bunions are a common condition; and as any patient suffering through them knows, they are extremely unsightly and painful. Bunions usually occur on the big toe, but can occasionally occur on the smallest toe. Many people who have them are unclear on exactly what they are. Bunions occur when extra bone forms. This is usually resulting from improperly fitted or too-tight shoes, which is why they usually affect women. However, they can also result from a genetic predisposition.
Bunions can severely impair the quality in the daily life of a person. Besides being highly unattractive, they can create significant pain when one walks or wears non-athletic shoes. The best prevention against bunions is to wear comfortable, athletic shoes that provide their wearer with plenty of room and support. However, most women are not willing to give up their much loved high-heels that easily! If you must wear high-heeled shoes, then it is crucial that you make sure that they provide you with plenty of room. Feet tend to swell slightly when you wear heels over one-half inch, so it is a good idea to always purchase high-heels in a size that is a half-size larger than what you typically wear. This will provide you with the room that your feet need because of the expansion and still have a level of comfort that is appropriate.
It is important to understand that the shape of the shoe dictates the positioning of the toes, toe joints and foot tendons. Most fashion footwear has a tapered toebox, with the tapering beginning at the main joint. This styling pushes the large toe sideways into an unnatural position, crowding itself and the other toes. Wearing shoes of that styling over time creates the condition permanently, until surgery is the best remedy to correct it. Because of this cumulative effect, it is especially important to wear shoes that are designed with the natural shape of the foot in mind, in order to avoid foot pain from this condition.
If you are suffering from bunions, there are some measures that you can take before seeking medical intervention. Switch to wearing comfortable running shoes or open-toed sandals at every opportunity, and try to rest your feet as much as possible by staying off of them. Applying an ice pack and taking aspirin can help to ease the pain and reduce the swelling. A podiatrist is a medical professional who is able to provide cortisone injections, which can be highly effective in reducing swelling and inflammation.
Those experiencing bunions should schedule a consultation with a podiatrist and receive an evaluation of the appropriateness of more serious treatments, such as surgery to remove the excess bone. The severity of your condition needs to be determined and a qualified podiatrist is able to do that. Untreated bunions can have painful and permanent ramifications, so it is crucial that you treat them as soon as possible.
What Does Athlete’s Foot Look Like
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 18, 2009
Athlete’s foot, medically known as Tinea Pedis, is one of the most common skin diseases of the feet. Tinea Pedis occurs between the toes and/or on the bottom of the foot. Many people have what is known as a moccasin distribution. This means that the fungus is on the bottom and sides of the foot. It can be dry and scaly or moist with peeling skin. Many times it will itch and burn, especially between the toes. The fungus lives in warm, dark, moist environments and can be passed by direct contact with people who are carrying it, from clothing and of course, from being in damp places such as public showers.
A serious side-effect of this condition is that it can lead to a bacterial infection. People with diabetes, poor circulation and the elderly are most susceptible to these infections. If the skin cracks, bacteria can invade the foot, which then leads to an infection. There have been cases of gangrene that get started from a very treatable fungus infection. Neglect is one of the most common reasons why serious infections develop in the first place, because people view it mostly as a nuisance and in some instances do not realize that they have picked it up.
Athlete’s foot is usually treated with strong topical antifungal medication. Over the counter topicals such as Lotrimin and Lamisil are sometimes effective. Using a cream is significantly more effective than a spray or a powder. Most people do not treat the condition for a long enough period of time to effectively eradicate this disease. It can take as long as four, and as many as six, weeks to accomplish that. Prescription topical medication is the best treatment. If the condition becomes more serious, then oral antifungal medication may be necessary. In either case, the best first step is to make an appointment with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and care.
If fungus is also present in the toenails, re-infection of the skin is a very common occurrence. Treatment must be directed at both problems to completely eliminate the fungal disease. To help prevent athlete’s feet, or re-infection, follow the tips listed below:
o Always wear something on your feet in public place, especially hotels and showers
o Use a foot powder if your skin is naturally moist
o Moisturize your skin with a cream or lotion if it is naturally dry
o Do not wear shoes without wearing socks
o Spray your shoes with an antifungal foot spray once a week
o Do not wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row
Pay Attention to Your Foot Pain, it Could Be a Stress Fracture
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 17, 2009
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. They often happen from overuse, such as from high impact activities like running, basketball and dancing. It is not uncommon to develop a stress fracture just walking. Most stress fractures occur in the weight bearing bones of the foot and lower leg. The most common sites are the second and third metatarsal bones on top of the foot. The other two parts of the foot are the heel bone and a bone in the midfoot.
Stress fractures usually occur when you increase your high impact activity by frequency (how often you exercise), duration (how long you exercise) or intensity (your level of exertion). In the climate of Midwest United States, this increased activity coincides with warmer weather. The other reason why stress fractures are common in warmer weather is because people tend to wear less supportive foot gear, such as sandals, or wear no shoes at all. Some feet can handle this better than others.
There are several symptoms of stress fractures:
* Pain that develops gradually, increases with weight bearing activity and diminishes with rest
* Pain that becomes more severe and occurs during normal activities
* Swelling on the top of the foot or outside of the ankle
*Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture
If you suspect a stress fracture in your foot or ankle, stop the activity and rest the foot. Ignoring the pain can lead to a complete break of the bone. Apply ice and elevate the foot. Ibuprofen or Aleve may relieve pain and swelling. Try not to put weight on the foot until you see the doctor.
Stress fractures can be diagnosed by an x-ray or a bone scan. Treatment usually consists of wearing a protective boot and avoiding high impact activities for a few weeks. If you ignore the warning signs of this condition, it may worsen to the point of needing surgery to fix it.
Here are tips to avoid stress fractures:
1. Maintain a healthy diet. Eat calcium and vitamin D rich foods to help build bone strength
2. Do not wear old or worn running shoes
3. Alternate your activities. For example, you can alternate jogging with swimming or biking
4. Start your new sports activities slowly
If you ever think you have the signs and symptoms of a stress fracture, call a podiatrist immediately to schedule an appointment.