FOOT PROBLEMS
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Plantar Fasciitis | Ingrown Toe Nail | Bursitis | Stress Fracture
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
SYMPTOMS
- Feels like a sharp pain in your heel that is stronger when you get out of bed
- Wearing shoes with very flat or very high heels can worsen the problem
CAUSES
- If a shoe doesn't support your arch, the fascia will be stretched & that can cause inflammation
- If your Achilles tendon often feels tight it can give you more pain
TREATMENT STRATEGIES
- Wear structured shoes
- Look for pairs that support the arches & enclose the heels
- Avoid going barefoot or wearing ballet flats or flip-flops
- Before hopping out of bed, wrap a towel or a T-shirt around your feet & pull the toes back to stretch the tendons
- To reduce swelling fill a plastic bottle with water, freeze it & roll it under your foot for a few minutes to soothe the pain
- A podiatrist can make orthotics (inserts) that are molded specifically for your feet that will control their motion and decrease strain on the plantar fasciae when worn inside shoes
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INGROWN TOE NAIL
SYMPTOMS
- Feels like a throbbing sensation, usually on the side of a big toe
- It might look red & swollen
CAUSES
- This usually happens when the nail edge grows sideways into the skin of the toe
- The pressure on the nail jabs into the surrounding skin causing discomfort
- Wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow can exacerbate the problem
- Cutting toenails incorrectly can also make the problem worse
TREATMENT STRATEGIES
- Try not to wear heels or pointy-toed shoes but if you do wear them & you'll be walking a lot carry them & wear shoes with roomy toe boxes until you reach your destination
- Keep feet well moisturized so you won't develop a callus which can cause more pressure on the ingrown nail
- Cut toenails straight across & don't file the corners down
- If you get a pedicure make sure the person follows these rules
- If you have a large amount of swelling & redness see your podiatrist not the 'nail lady.'
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BURSITIS
OR ACHILLES TENDONITIS
SYMPTOM
- Feels like a bump usually on the back of a heel
CAUSES
- If you have an enlarge heel bone
- The bone can become irritated from wearing a shoe like a pump with a stiff back
- When the shoe rubs against the bone, you can inflame the bursa, the protective sac of fluid in the tissue
TREATMENT STRATEGIES
- Switch to shoes with open backs or that have more 'give' until the pain goes away
- Put one of Dr. Scholl's Foam Ease Callus Cushions over the bursa to alleviate pressure
- At the end of the day, ice the area to soothe the inflammation
- If the problem causes chronic pain, a podiatric surgeon can remove the bursa & the enlarged part of the heel bone
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STRESS FRACTURE
SYMPTOM
- The area feels tender usually on the front part of the foot, at the second or third
metatarsal (long bones in the midfoot)
CAUSES
- Repetitive stress on a bone, like walking or running on hard surfaces, especially in shoes
that aren't designed to absorb shocks - High heels can also make you more susceptible to stress fractures, because the heel's tilt distributes your weight over your foot unevenly
TREATMENT STRATEGIES
- A podiatrist will give you a surgical shoe to wear as you heal or advise you to wear some
other kind of rigid shoes - You'll need to stop running &limit your walking to what's absolutely necessary
- No basketball, football, soccer or baseball
- Prevent recurrences
- Maintain a healthy weight and wear supportive, well-cushioned shoes
- Stress fractures take four to eight weeks to heal
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Plantar Fasciitis | Ingrown Toe Nail | Bursitis | Stress Fracture
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