Our feet don’t get enough credit for what they do for us. They are our main mode of transportation and they carry our full body weight 24/7 for our entire lives. We need to take care of our precious feet, because we only get one set!
The most common foot problems that people have are usually pretty easy to cure, and some of them don’t even require a visit to the doctor. Here’s an overview of some of the most common foot problems people experience on a day-to-day basis.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common type of heel pain. It’s caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick, flat band of tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes.
Normally this band of tissue absorbs shock and supports your arches. However, if it’s strained or the tension becomes too great, small tears can form. Repetitive motions and tearing can lead to irritation, inflammation and pain. Read More…
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts typically grow on the heel or ball of the foot where there’s a good amount of pressure and friction. Most are about the size of a pencil eraser. But some warts, called “seed warts,” have tiny black dots, which are actually small, clotted blood vessels that have grown up into the wart. Read More…
Bunions
A bunion is a knot that forms on the outer side of your big toe joint when the bone or tissue of the big toe joint moves out of place, making your big toe turn in and push against the next toe. Bunions are often red, swollen and/or painful, and they can also become so large that it's difficult to find shoes that are comfortable to wear. Read More…
Gout
Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects a single joint. The big toe is a common target for gout. When a person's kidneys are unable to filter uric acid crystals out of the bloodstream, the crystals can build up in soft tissue, leading to gout flareups. If you are experiencing frequent joint pain, you should see a foot specialist for a diagnosis. While gout can affect a knee, elbow or wrist, about half of all cases are in one of the big toes. Read More…
Ingrown Toenails
Usually, our toenails are well-behaved, growing over the skin and protecting the delicate skin layers beneath the nail. When an ingrown toenail occurs, the edges of the toenail grow into the skin instead of over the top, causing swelling, irritation and painful discomfort. Untreated, the toenail will continue to grow deeper into the skin, causing further discomfort and risk of infection. Most commonly, the big toe is the toe affected by an ingrown nail. Read More…
Stress Fractures
Bones are always rehabilitating themselves by flowing nutrients such as calcium to re-strengthen after heavy use. Foot stress fractures occur when the small bones in the feet are overwhelmed. Excessive pounding occurs from things such as walking, running and hard landings. If you consider that people take between 5,000 and 7,000 steps every day, and that the current trend is to top 10,000, foot stress fractures are likely to increase unless people take better care of their feet. Read More…
Common Childhood Foot Problems
Children tend to have different foot problems than adults. As a responsible parent, you should add pediatric foot problems to the long list of things to keep an eye on.
Why? Children are constantly growing and developing, processes which can cause pain and other issues. Secondly, children (particularly those who play sports) are comparatively active, which puts extra stress on their ankles and feet. And since children tend to be resilient, a serious problem might go unnoticed, which could lead to long-term or even permanent health issues as they grow. Read More…
If you or your child are experiencing foot and/or ankle pain, as with any potential medical condition, your best bet is to seek the care of a qualified doctor. You can trust Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for all your podiatric needs. Visit our website for more information, or to schedule an appointment at one of our two convenient locations.
