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-
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
gardeners feet
www.gardenersfeet.com