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Foot pain is often caused by incorrect foot function. Shoes that don’t fit well can worsen and, in some cases, cause foot problems. Shoes that fit correctly and give good support can prevent irritation to the foot joints and skin. There are many types of foot problems that affect the heels, toes, nerves, tendons, ligaments and joints of the foot.
The symptoms of foot problems may look like other health conditions and problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
A heel spur is a bone growth on the heel bone. It is often located on the underside of the heel bone where it attaches to the plantar fascia. This is a long band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. This connective tissue holds the arch together and acts as a shock absorber during activity.
The plantar fascia can be overstretched from running, wearing poor-fitting shoes or being overweight. Then pain can result from the stress and inflammation of the tissue pulling on the bone. Over time, the body builds extra bone in response to this stress, causing heel spurs.
Treatment options may include:
Corns are yellowish, callus growths that occur on top of the toes. Corns develop because of irritation or stress. Often, a corn develops where a toe rubs against a shoe or another toe. Corns can cause extreme discomfort and pain.
Treatment may include:
To avoid corns, always buy shoes that fit correctly.
A bunion is a bulge of bone or tissue around the joint of the great toe or small toe. Bunions may occur at the base of the great toe or at the base of the little toe. They often occur when the joint is stressed over a period of time. Women get bunions more often than men do because they wear tight, pointed and confining shoes. Bunions also can be a result of arthritis, which often affects the big toe joint.
Treatment of bunions may vary depending on the pain and deformity. Options may include:
A hammertoe is when the toe bends or curls downward. This causes the middle joint of the affected toe to poke out. Tight-fitting shoes that put pressure on the hammertoe often make this condition worse. Often a corn develops at this site.
Treatment may include:
With 26 bones in a single foot, almost any of them can be broken. Many breaks or factures don’t need surgery or even a cast. They will heal on their own with some support. When a foot is fractured, the site of the fracture usually is painful and swollen.
The site of the fracture will determine the course of treatment, if needed, including:
An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of elastic tissue that connect bones to each other. Ankle sprains may occur if the ankle rolls, turns or twists beyond its normal range of motion.
Ankle sprains may be caused by awkward foot placement, irregular surfaces, weak muscles, loose ligaments or
wearing shoes with spiked heels. The symptoms of a sprain will depend on how severely the ligaments are stretched or torn, but usually include swelling, pain or bruising.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the sprain, but may include:
Achilles tendon injury
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. However, this tendon is also a common site of rupture or tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon due to overuse.
Achilles tendonitis is caused by overuse of the tendon and calf muscles. Symptoms may include mild pain after exercise that worsens gradually, stiffness that improves after the tendon warns up and swelling.
Treatment may include:
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