I used to love wearing heels all the time, and then I started getting terrible foot pain all the time. I visited my podiatrist, and she showed me how much damage I was doing to my feet. She showed me how much better my feet would be able to react if I wore shoes with proper arch support and convinced me to try some sensible shoes. It made such a difference. My boyfriend says I'm a whole new person - a new person who doesn't complain about her aching feet all day long. Now I proudly wear sensible shoes and enjoy my life!
Podiatrists handle medical problems that affect a person's feet and lower legs. Read on to find out more about two kinds of foot ailments that this type of health professional can treat.
Hammer toe
A hammer toe is a type of deformity which usually affects the second, third or fourth toes of a person's feet. The condition derives its name from the fact that it forces the toe to bend at its middle joint and in doing so, causes it to resemble a hammer. A number of different things can lead to this problem, including a toe injury, ill-fitting shoes (particularly high heels) or arthritis. In some cases, a person may have a genetic predisposition to this condition.
The odd angling of the affected toe can result in the development of painful corns or calluses, as it ends up being pushed against the person's shoes or their other adjacent toes. It can also make it hard for the sufferer to find comfortable-feeling footwear and make them feel self-conscious about their foot's appearance when they wear open-toed sandals.
A podiatrist treating a patient with a hammer toe may recommend that they wear custom-made orthotics and special toe pads, both of which will help to ease any pain associated with this condition and prevent further calluses and corns from developing. Additionally, in cases where the patient is experiencing a lot of pain, they may also provide injections of cortisone and offer them a prescription for anti-inflammatory medication.
If the deformity is causing extreme pain, the podiatrist may refer the patient for surgery. Depending on the position and severity of the problem, the surgeon may cut the tendons and tissues within the toe joint or remove a section of the toe bone.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition which results in the fascia band (a piece of connective tissue which stretches from the ball of the foot to the heel) becoming inflamed. It can be caused by trauma to the foot, running or walking long distances on a regular basis, or wearing footwear which does provide adequate support.
The most common symptom of this condition is heel pain. This pain is usually experienced as a sharp, stabbing sensation and is often at its worst in the mornings. Sufferers may also notice that their pain gets worse after long periods of running or standing.
When treating a person with this condition, a podiatrist will usually recommend anti-inflammatory medication and orthotics. The orthotics will support the patient's arches and in doing so, help to reduce the amount of strain being placed on the above-mentioned fascia band. This, in turn, will lower the patient's pain levels and allow for the healing of the inflamed tissue.
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