Do you know what foot problems are? Do you want to know how to deal with it or, better yet, how to prevent it? Stay to know the symptoms, causes and treatments of the most common conditions in this part of the body.
In general, any person, at some point in his or her life, will experience some type of pain in the feet. It is inevitable, considering the primary function of these extremities.
In fact, even for a person who does not use his or her feet, whether due to disability or simple sedentary lifestyle, it is possible to experience pain associated with the lack of mobility.
Learning to recognize the symptoms of a problem in this part of the body turns out to be something very useful and this is precisely what we come to bring you in this article. Read on, if you want to know what are the most common foot problems.
1- Flat foot
Flat feet are one of the most common foot problems and are a harmless deformity of the foot in which the entire sole of the foot rests on the ground. Flat feet sometimes cause pain and pressure ulcers. A complication is poor posture, which can lead to long-term back pain.
2- Calcaneal spur
A calcaneal spur is usually a bony growth that forms on the anterior border of the undersurface of the calcaneus. It may be asymptomatic or may be associated with pain. In some cases, the spur may be part of a systemic inflammatory condition, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
It is one of the foot problems that can vary in severity, depending on the amount of inflammation that is occurring in the surrounding soft tissue.
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3- Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungus and as such is devoted to moisture. Athletes sweat a lot and are therefore prone to suffer from this type of problem.
Athlete’s foot is usually noticeable through itching, whitish skin flakes between the toes and subsequent skin changes with reddish blisters. Triggering fungi can usually be reliably treated with an antifungal agent or you can visit a podiatrist who can treat this type of foot problems.
4- Bunions
A bunion is what doctors refer to as a deformity in which both big toes point strongly inward toward the other toes. Because of the malposition, a ball forms on the inside of the foot. Big toe misalignment is found almost exclusively in women.
In addition, the bunion is favored above all by the shape and structure of women’s shoes and the weakness of the connective tissue. Another deformity that occurs in this part of the foot with a similar cause is hammertoe.
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5- Hammer toe
Hammertoe is another foot problem that occurs in such a way that the middle joint of the toes slips or remains stiff. Doctors, in these cases, speak of a flexion contracture.
This condition should be treated as soon as possible to prevent the deformity from worsening. At the beginning of treatment, simple methods are available, such as shoes that simply allow more room for the toes.
6- Nail fungus
Nail fungus is a fungal infection that penetrates into the nail structure. Doctors refer to nail fungus as onychomycosis. The duration of treatment is usually several months.
Sometimes it even takes a year or more to get rid of a nail fungus. Without constant monitoring, the fungus will only spread more and more. That’s why we recommend that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
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7- Metatarsalgia
Another common foot problems are metatarsalgia, a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. It occurs mostly in people who run.
The biggest problem with this condition is that people often mistake it for a normal, everyday problem. If after a few days the pain has not gone away, it is best to see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
8- Plantar fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band that extends from the heel to the base of the toes. When this band is overloaded, it can cause pain in the foot, specifically in the arch area.
Therefore, it is important to keep your feet comfortable and in good condition. You should avoid running or walking long distances, wear supportive shoes and incorporate low-impact exercises into your routine.
9- Ingrown nails
Ingrown nails are one of the most common foot problems, especially in adolescents. There are several reasons why you can suffer from this condition, for example, they can occur due to trauma, bad nail trimming or the use of inappropriate shoes.
For people who have diabetes, vascular problems, nerve damage or other foot problems, special care should be taken to avoid infection. If the ingrown toenail is infected, see a foot specialist or podiatrist. They may prescribe antibiotics, an antimicrobial cream to treat the infection, or even resort to minor surgery.
10- Arthrosis
This condition is a special form of osteoarthritis due to joint wear and tear and occurs in the big toe. It affects people of all ages. However, as our bodies age, the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases.
These type of foot problems can be treated with medication and physical therapy. The goal is to reduce pain and prevent further damage to the joint. These treatments can be done at home, always under the prescription of a medical specialist.