Foot problems change social behaviour - but it doesn't have to be that way

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Foot problems change social behaviour - but it doesn't have to be

that way

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=17548

They help keep our balance, get us to lunch at our favorite cafe and

power the gas pedal as we zoom along the highway, however, we often

take our feet for granted until they start to bother us.

With the average person taking 9,000 steps per day -- more than 600

miles each year -- when feet start to hurt or change in shape, it can

really impact a person's life.

In fact, according to a survey conducted for PediFix Footcare

Products, of those people who report having foot issues in the past

five years, two out of three report that these foot issues, which

range from blisters to bunions and heel pain, have changed the kind

of shoes they wear, how active they are, where and how far they walk,

and so on.

" Many people will completely alter their lives because of foot

problems rather than just getting to the root of what the problem

really is, " says Oliver Zong, D.P.M., renowned New York City

podiatrist and cosmetic foot surgeon. " You may be surprised at some

of the little things you can do yourself to help your feet feel

better. "

Dr. Zong, who is a medical advisor to PediFix Footcare Products,

offers the following tips to prevent and comfort common, painful foot

conditions:

Blisters - Fluid-filled pouches on the top of the skin that form when

skin rubs against another surface, usually the inside of a shoe,

causing friction. Most blisters can be self-treated unless they

become infected. The easiest way to prevent blisters is to wear shoes

that fit well and are appropriate for the activity; the new PediFix.

survey found that 45% of women and 28% of men have worn shoes that

caused blisters and pain.

Break in new shoes by wearing them for one to two hours on the first

day, gradually increasing the amount of time with each wearing,

however, don't buy uncomfortable shoes with the hope that they will

eventually break in - shoes that really hurt in the beginning will

most likely still hurt a few months later. Use an over-the-counter

product that is self-adhesive and can be cut to fit specific parts of

the foot where blisters seem to pop up most.

Since many blisters occur on the little toe, Dr. Zong suggests, " If

your little toe is problematic, which it is for many people, it's

advisable to take preventive action, rather than wait for pain. There

are over-the-counter products that use a special gel technology that

is specifically designed to prevent corns, blisters, ingrown nails

and other irritations of the little toe. " The special gel technology

of these products soothes irritations and allows for natural healing,

while absorbing pressure and friction to relieve pinching and

cramping.

" Forget adhesive bandages - they never stay on the little toe. These

unique toe sleeves contain patented gel and are sized to fit the

little toe comfortably while wearing most shoes, " Dr. Zong adds.

Bunion - This protuberance (enlargement) of bone and/or tissue around

the base of the joint of the big toe is caused by abnormal stress

over a period of time. This can result from faulty biomechanics (when

the big toe starts moving/bending toward the smaller toes), or, from

pointy or poor-fitting shoes. Any crowding of the toes puts pressure

on the joint, pushing it outward. Bunions are also associated with

various forms of arthritis, which is more common as we age.

Pain from a bunion can range from mild to severe, with skin and

tissues becoming swollen or inflamed. As a result, toenails may begin

to grow into the sides of the nail bed, making them more difficult to

trim (see " ingrown toenails " below); smaller toes can develop corns

or become bent (see " hammertoes " ), and calluses may form on the

bottom of the foot. It is best to wear comfortable shoes as often as

possible and to avoid shoes with narrow points that push toes

together in an unnatural fashion. Experts advise seeing a footcare

specialist at the earliest onset of symptoms - the first sign of pain

or discomfort - in order to prevent severe deformity and progression

of the deformity. Severe bunions may require surgical relief.

Ingrown Toenails - This condition occurs when the nail grows into the

surrounding skin, most commonly found on the big toe. Symptoms

include redness, swelling, pain and infection. Toenails can

become " ingrown " from a toe injury that changes the nail's contour,

toe deformities, such as bunions, and high-heel or pointy shoes that

apply pressure between the nail and soft tissues, eventually forcing

the nail to grow into the skin. Ingrown toenails can also be

congenital and are common during pregnancy, caused by added swelling

of the feet (making shoes tighter) and extra body weight. Dr. Zong

says that treatment typically starts with a daily soaking in a salt

bath, or, if accompanied by inflammation, pain or infection, in an

antibacterial product, such as povodine iodine solution. Dr. Zong

says, " Usually ingrown toenails that are infected have to be removed

in a simple in-office procedure.

Afterwards, we have patients soak their feet in a therapeutic soak,

then apply antibiotic drops. " To prevent ingrown toenails, cut nails

straight across and do not cut too short, leaving some of the white

tip of the nail; trim often and never let them get too long. Wear

well-fitting shoes with low to moderate heels and toes that are not

too pointy.

Corns & Calluses - A callus is a thickening of the skin that usually

occurs at areas of pressure or friction, such as the bottom or sides

of the feet, or ball of the foot. Calluses may also form as a result

of a bunion and misaligned toes. Corns are a build-up of dead tissue,

usually on the top of or between the toes that is often the result of

hammertoes (see below) and is much like a callus. Like calluses,

corns are actually the result of bone, rather than skin, problems

that cause rubbing.

If they become large, pressure from walking, standing or shoes will

result in pain. About 40 percent of the population develops a corn on

the 5th or " pinky " toe as a result of the toe turning in and/or

having one joint instead of two (see blister section above for more

discussion of little toes). Treatment varies, depending on the

severity of the corn. Small corns can be removed with over-the-

counter products, which contain 40 percent salicylic acid, the

ingredient doctors recommend most, and can work in a few as two

treatments. Dr. Zong says that people with diabetes, neuropathy and

circulatory problems should not use corn removers with salicylic

acid. Instead, seek the advice and care of a foot specialist.

Hammertoes - Usually the result of tendon imbalance and/or abnormal

motion of the foot that results in the tendons pulling the toes up or

an abnormal shape to the foot, such as high or low arches. Shoes then

rub on the prominent portion of the toe, leading to inflammation of

the joints (bursitis) and eventually corns and painful calluses.

Comfortable shoes that accommodate the contracted toe(s) are

recommended. There are also a number of over-the-counter products

that help with hammertoes, including cushions and toe straighteners

that help reduce pain and friction, ease pain and absorb pressure.

Severe hammertoes and other foot deformities should also be addressed

by a foot surgeon/podiatrist.

Heel Pain - Many people suffer from sharp pain, aching or stiffness

on the bottom of one or both heels, often most intense first thing in

the morning or after a period of rest and/or activity. This type of

heel pain emanates from deep within the foot, directly on the heel

bone or the " fascia, " connective tissue of the foot, and is

called " plantar fasciitis. " About 90 percent of cases of heel pain

are the result of plantar fasciitis. Other causes include heel

bursas, heel spurs, a broken heel bone, arthritis and more. Rest and

staying off the feet is often recommended, though difficult for most

people to do. Stretching exercises of the calf muscles may be

recommended, as well as eliminating activity that puts too much

weight and pressure on feet, such as running or jogging, treadmills,

stairmasters, getting up and down a lot, walking up stairs sideways,

lifting or carrying heavy objects, weight lifting, etc. Dr. Zong

recommends over-the-counter products that support the arch of the

foot or help support and comfort painful heels. If pain persists,

seek the help of a foot specialist.

Flat Feet or Arches - A flat foot has a difficult time transferring

weight from one foot to the other during normal walking. The lack of

rigidity overworks muscles and tendons in the foot and leg, which

become more worn out in the attempt to make the foot more rigid. The

result is arch and leg " fatigue " or pain after walking, running or

even standing in place for long periods of time. Additionally, a flat

foot puts extra stress on various joints in the foot and often

undergoes arthritic changes in the foot joints. Orthotics sold over-

the-counter are a good place to start if you have weak or flat

arches. It is important to gently support weak/flat arches, stabilize

heels and protect the balls of the feet.

In more severe cases of flat feet, surgery may be necessary. Post

surgical patients are encouraged to wear orthotics, as well, says Dr.

Zong.

Neuroma - A neuroma is a pea-shaped mass of nerves that is being

pinched between two bones of the foot - usually between the third and

fourth toes and becomes thickened and painful. Symptomatic of a

neuroma is intermittent cramping, burning and numbness that is

aggravated by wearing shoes. " The cause of neuroma in most cases is

wearing shoes that are too tight, " says Dr. Zong.

" The first line of defense for treating neuroma of the foot includes

wearing shoes that fit properly, with enough room for the toes,

orthotics or arch supports. " If these measures are ineffective, more

aggressive treatments, such as cryosurgery, ligament release and

surgical removal of the neuroma might be necessary, " he adds.

Warts (plantar) - Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that

enters the skin through small cuts and abrasions on the bottom/sole

of the foot. While warts are essentially harmless and treatable,

plantar warts can be quite painful (sharp and burning) when they

develop on the weight-bearing areas of the feet - the ball of the

foot or heel, for example, and can multiply if left untreated. (They

can also be transmitted to other people who come in contact with the

infected area since HPV is very contagious.)

They are often contracted by walking barefoot on wet, dirty surfaces,

such as public locker rooms at gyms or pools. A reasonable first

treatment of warts is over-the-counter salicylic acid products, with

a 40 percent salicylic acid formula. More stubborn plantar warts may

require medical procedures performed by a footcare professional. To

avoid plantar warts, avoid going barefoot in public, keep feet clean

and dry, change shoes daily, avoid direct contact with warts and

treat any new warts quickly to prevent them from spreading.

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