Did you know that your foot is a very complex part of the body? It consists of 26 bones and is connected by a lot of tendons, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Our feet carry the heavy load of our body day by day and it’s not surprising that problems may arise. Injuries and inflammations can lead to pain and limited mobility.
Poorly fitting shoes can aggravate the condition and even cause some foot problems. Propper shoes with good support can prevent a lot of unpleasant conditions. In this article, we will tell you how to treat the three most common foot problems.
1. Plantar fasciitis
If you have plantar fasciitis, you may feel a sharp or burning pain in the heel, which often intensifies in the morning. It usually occurs when the plantar fascia, a layer of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, becomes inflamed. This can be caused by the tension of having flat or high arches, standing or walking all day, excess weight or intense physical activity.
Try over-the-counter arched supports or special insoles to relieve tension on the plantar fascia. If you are really tormented, ultrasound therapy and shockwave therapy can relieve pain and help with healing. There is also a minimally invasive surgery which is called endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. The surgeon makes a small incision into the plantar fascia to release tight tissue.
2. Bunions
A bunion usually looks like a hard bump on the outer edge of the big toe. It occurs when the lowest joint becomes displaced, causing the end of the bone to protrude. Although the pointed toe heels that crush the toes can make the bunion more painful, the shoes are not the main cause. More important factors are the shape of your foot and how you walk.
In order to relieve foot pain, it is recommended to buy shoes made of elastic material like leather that will fit the curves of your feet. Every time you buy a new pair of shoes, press the sole of the boot against the sole of the foot to make sure that the toe box is at least as wide as yours. The usage of custom insoles that your podiatrist can recommend could prevent the process from worsening, but the only real cure is bunion surgery NYC. However, if the pain is not so strong and doesn’t interfere with your daily activity, you can try to avoid surgery and use some orthotics to minimize discomfort.
3. Hammertoes
Hammertoes is the condition when the joint of a toe is pointing up instead of lying flat. This usually occurs when a flat or high arc, a bunion, or narrow shoes cause your toe to press on the second finger, putting a load on it and causing it to contract.
There are a few treatment methods that can bring you relief. You can try a Budin splint. It is a foamy flat cushion with an elastic loop that runs under the foot cushion and wraps around the hammertoe. This device can decrease pressure and rubbing from shoes. You may also ask your podiatrist for cortisone injections that can help alleviate pain. But in case you’ve already tried these options and are still suffering from hammertoes, you may consider surgery.
