Foot problems

Foot related problems explained

Heel pain ('Policemans Heel' or Plantar Fasciitis) has many causes and is generally the result of faulty biomechanics
(walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. The stress may also result from injury, or a bruise incurred while walking, running or jumping on hard surfaces, wearing poorly constructed footwear, excessively worn shoes or being overweight.

Heel spurs are a common cause of heel pain. Heel spurs result from strain on the muscles and ligaments of the foot, by stretching the long band of tissue that connects the heel and the ball of the foot, and by repeated tearing away of the lining or membrane that covers the heel bone.

Heel Pain

Stiffness of muscles around the foot

Irritation of the foot

Rheumatoid arthritis

Achilles tendonitis

Symptons and Causes

Pain and tingling to the heel and foot

Repeated bruising to the heel and foot

Walking difficulties

Obesity

Inflammation of the foot

Controlling and avoid the risk of heel pain

Avoid high heels

Lose weight

Foot correctors

Rest and good nutrition (temporary relief only)

Well fitted and supportive shoes

Don’t wear slippers or go barefoot around the house

Avoid walking on uneven surfaces

Ankle Pain

Ankle pain is often due to an injury to the ligaments or muscles that connect bones in the foot and ankle area.
In most cases it is foot related, for example: damage to ligament of the foot or sprains from feet twisting inwards and ligaments tearing. Ankle pain can also be connected to arthritis, gout or infection.

Symptons and Causes

Sprains

Twisted foot movements (posture)

Obesity

Gout

Arthritis / Osteoarthritis

Sports injuries

Swollen and burning ankles

Trapped nerves and muscles

Controlling and avoid the risk of ankle pain

Resting

Ankle supports (temporary relief only)

Cortisone injections

Wear foot correctors

Correct footwear

Heat relief (cold/hot)

Surgery

Hammer Toes

A hammertoe is a contracture, or bending, of the toe at the first joint of the digit, called the proximal interphalangeal joint "Biis bending causes the toe to appear like an upside-down V when looked at from the side. Any toe can be involved, but the condition usually affects the second through to fifth toes, known as the lesser digits. Hammertoes are more common to females than males.

Of the two different types, flexible hammertoes are less serious because they can be diagnosed and treated while still in the developmental stage. They are called flexible hammertoes because they are still moveable at the joint.

The second type, rigid hammertoes are more developed and more serious than the flexible condition. Rigid hammertoes can be seen in patients with severe arthritis, for example, or in patients who wait too long to seek professional treatment. The tendons in a rigid hammertoe have become tight, and the joint misaligned and immobile, making surgery the usual course of treatment.

Symptons and Causes

Pain in the ball of the foot and around the affected toe area

Painful to move joint

Redness and swelling at the joint of the toe

Pain from the top when wearing shoes

Corns appearing on the affected toe

Arthritis in the feet

Stress

Wearing tight fitting shoes

Controlling and avoid the risk of Hammer Toe pain

Supply ice packs to the damaged area (temporary relief only)

Avoid wearing high heeled shoes

Wearing loose fitting shoes

Foot Correctors

Wear medical pad around the damaged toes (temp relief)

Cortizone injections (temp relief)

Surgery

High Arches

High arch is the opposite of flat feet / fallen arches.

Highly arched feet are much less common than fallen arches and are more likely to be associated with an abnormal orthopaedic or neurological condition.

Neuromuscular diseases that cause changes in muscle tone may be associated with the development of high arches.

Unlike fallen arches and flat feet, high arch feet tend to be more painful because more stress and pressure is placed on the section of the foot between the ankle and the toes (metatarsals arch), this leads to chronic pain in the ankle, legs and hips. It also makes it more difficult to wear fitted shoes, generally requiring a medical foot support which will significantly reduce disability to the foot and aid walking.

Symptons and Causes

Corns, Calluses

Pain when walking / running

Wearing high heels

Pain when standing still for a length of time

Damage to ankles causing pain

Obesity

Chronic pain

Born with high arches

Controlling and avoid the risk of High Arches

Foot Correctors

Surgery

Medical pads (temporary only)

Fallen Arches (Flat Feet)

Fallen arches, or flatfoot, is a condition in which the arch on the inside of the foot is flat and the entire sole of the foot rests on the ground. It affects about 40% of the general population. Although flat feet in themselves are not usually problematic, they can create problems in the feet, hips, ankles and knees. Pain may be experienced in the lower back if there are alignment problems and if the individual is engaged in a lot of heavy, high impact activities that put stress on the bones and muscles in the lower legs.

The arches of most individuals are fully developed by the age of 12 to 13. While some people are born with flat arches, for others the arches fall over time. The tibial tendon, which runs along the inside of the ankle from above the ankle to the arch, can weaken with age and with heavy activity. The posterior tendon, main support structure for the arch, can become inflamed (tendonitis) or even tear if overloaded. For women, wearing high heels can affect the Achilles tendon and alter the structure and function of the ankle. The posterior tibial tendon may compensate for this stress and break down, causing the arches to fall. Obesity is another contributing factor, as well as a serious injury to the ankle or foot, arthritis and bad circulation such as occurs with diabetes.

Symptons and Causes

Corns, Calluses

Pain when walking / running

Wearing high heels

Pain when standing still for a length of time

Damage to ankles causing pain

Obesity

Chronic pain

Born with fallen arches

Controlling and avoid the risk of Fallen Arches

Wear Foot Correctors

Surgery

Medical pads (temporary only)

Neuromas

A neuroma is a painful condition also referred to as a pinched nerve or a nerve tumour, it is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes that brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.

The principal symptom associated with a neuroma is pain between the toes when walking. Those suffering from the condition often find relief by stopping their walk, taking off their shoe, and rubbing the affected area. At times the patient will describe the pain as similar to having a stone in his or her shoe. The vast majority of people who develop neuromas are women.

Symptons and Causes

Pain in the ball of the foot

Swelling and cramps between the toes

Pain in the front of the foot & between toes

Tingling/numbness in the ball of the foot

High arches

Flat feet

High heeled shoes, tight shoes

stress

Controlling and avoid the risk of Neuromas

Avoid wearing tight or ill fitting shoes

Wear foot correctors

Wear low heeled shoes

Foot massage (temporary relief only)

Cortisone injections (temporary relief only)

Surgery

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