Do you live in or around DC, and suffer from issues with your feet? Chances are, every adult will experience foot problems at one time or another.
Calcium deposits (caused by strains, stretching and tearing) that form under the heel bone are the main causes of heel spurs. Typically a deposit takes a few months to build up before it causes serious pain issues. And while heel spurs can be painful, there is also hope. Heel spurs can be treated with a variety of methods including prescription orthotics, exercises and stretches, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication and even cortisone injections.
Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition, and it can also cause a fair amount of heel pain. It is brought on when the connective tissue that runs on the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes becomes inflamed. So what can you do for relief? You can stretch this tissue (known as the plantar fascia) by it by holding the toes on your sore foot and pulling them towards your shin. Stretching your foot’s arch will loosen up the problem areas and help to reduce pain.
A stress fracture occurs when a bone develops a small crack. Stress fractures are common among athletes who participate in high-impact sports such as running. When the feet hit the ground repeatedly, the fracture can easily occur. Osteoporosis and other diseases that can weaken your bones are also causes of this condition.
Rest assured, there are a few treatment options for stress fractures. First, if the fracture was caused by a particular activity, stop doing it immediately. Resting, using ice and NSAIDs to treat the inflammation, elevating the foot and seeking the advice of your podiatrist are among the next steps you should take.
Do you have a painful boney bump at the base of your big toe? If so, you most likely have a bunion. This irritating condition typically happens when your big toe pushes on the toe next to it, causing the joint of the big toe to grow large and the skin around it to turn red and inflamed.
Bunions are commonly caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. They can even be caused by arthritis. Not all bunions cause pain, but when they do, you definitely want to treat them. You can try wearing wide shoes that give your toes lots of room to move around. You can also try placing moleskin or some sort of patch around the problem area to prevent future rubbing. Orthotics can also help the issue, as they can help redistribute your weight and take pressure off your toe.
A condition that occurs when the arch of the foot is collapsed and the whole foot can completely touch the ground is called flat feet. Having no arches or having this as a hereditary condition are main causes of flat foot. Flat foot can also be caused by arthritis, bone fractures or torn tendons. The best ways to treat this sometimes painful problem include limiting your exercise, wearing orthotics, icing your feet, and massage.
When the second, third or fourth toe on a foot has a deformity that causes the joints to be permanently bent, the condition is referred to as hammertoe. Frequently wearing high heels or badly fitting shoes can result in hammertoe. Muscle, nerve or joint damage caused by conditions like osteoarthritis can also cause hammertoe. Treatment for hammertoe includes everything from physical therapy and wide shoes to surgery.
Ingrown toenails occur when corners of the toenail dig into the skin of the toe. If they are untreated, they can cause an infection or abscess that requires surgery. Tight-fitting shoes, poor nail trimming and fungal infections are top causes of ingrown toenails. The best treatments for this painful problem include lukewarm water soaks, comfortable shoes, and sometimes splints that are applied by a podiatrist.
Achilles Tendinitis is an injury that occurs when the Achilles tendon is overused. This issue is a common occurrence with runners and other sports players. Over-the-counter painkillers as well as physical therapy can help this problem. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Stress fractures, flat feet, and swollen muscles can all cause the painful problem known as shin splints. Although shin splints typically go away on their own, rest, icing the hurt area, wearing orthotics and taking over-the-counter pain medication can help.
Sesamoiditis affects the bottom of the foot behind the large toe. It causes inflammation and pain, and is often caused by wearing high heels or uncomfortable shoes. It is also caused by injury to the foot. Cortisone shots and anti-inflammatory medication are the best ways to help this issue.
If you are suffering from a foot problem and need a podiatrist, give us a call today to schedule your appointment at 301-937-5666 or fill out the form on the top right of this page.
