In our previous blog, we discuss some of the most common foot ailments, how to detect them, and how to treat them. We’ll start this blog on the same foot, with a just a few more of the many common foot ailments.
Simply put, a hammertoe is a toe that bends downward instead of forward. Usually occurring on the second or third toe, a hammertoe is a deformity that is often subtly present at birth, but becomes more exaggerated by years of wearing poorly fitting shoes (r high heels), or by compounded arthritis symptoms.
For mild hammertoes, switching your shoes for a pair with more support and adding corrective insoles to your shoes can slowly correct the position and the look of your toe. For severe hammertoe symptoms, or if you have multiple hammertoes, see your local podiatrist for advanced treatment of your hammertoe symptoms.
Much like hammertoes, claw and mallet toes are essentially toes that have grown into an odd position. For example, mallet toes grown downward like hammertoes, but only at the joint closest to the tip of the toe, and claw toes bend upward at the middle joint of the toe, causing the tips of the toes to bend downward (this affects the smallest four toes at the same time). Any of these ailments can cause physical discomfort and foot pain, unnatural rubbing of toes against shoes, unhappiness with the look of the feet, and in extreme circumstances, difficulty with walking and balancing. Once again, pay your podiatrist a visit for quick and thorough treatment of your claw, mallet, and hammertoe symptoms.
When the plantar fascia, or the strand of tissue that connect your heel to your toes, is inflamed, it causes moderate to severe foot pain, weakness, and irritation. This is known as plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of foot pain for middle-aged people.
Plantar fasciitis is prevalent in people who spend a lot of time on their feet, like athletes and retail employees, and it can happen to one or both of your feet.
The best treatment for plantar fasciitis is to give your feet a long break, or at the very least, a series of smaller breaks throughout your day. Consult your podiatrist as soon as you detect plantar problems, as these problems are much harder to treat if they are allowed to worsen over time.
If you have an ingrown toenail, chances are that your big toe has a big problem. By wearing shoes that are too tight, practicing poor foot hygiene, or dealing with repetitive pressure to your feet and toes, your big toenail can slide into an improper position in your foot’s tissue, causing pain, discomfort, and if not treated properly, recurring bacterial infections. Ingrown toenails can usually be treated with over the counter remedies, elevation of the toe, and improved foot hygiene, but without proper care, the symptoms of ingrown toenails are likely to recur. Book an appointment with your podiatrist if your ingrown toenails do not subside, or if you think you have a bacterial infection because of an ingrown toenail.
Your feet keep you upright, keep you moving, and keep you living a healthy life—you can’t afford for your feet to have problems. That’s why you need the help of AllCare Foot & Ankle Center. Our Dallas and Arlington podiatry offices can help you with foot or ankle problems of any kind, and our friendly medical staff are passionate about giving you the treatment and advice you need for improved foot health. Start off on the right foot, and book an appointment at AllCare today!
