In each of your feet and both of your ankles, there are over 20 different bones, over 30 different joints and hundreds of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Is it any wonder that foot pain is common?
The feet are responsible for carrying around the body’s mass. The weight of the body should be balanced between the two feet, but many people have one leg longer than the other, feet that angle out or in, flat feet, … Read the Full Article
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the ligament that stretches from the back of the heel to the ball of the foot. Known as the plantar fascia ligament, it is responsible for supporting the arch of the foot. It is one of the most common conditions that affect the feet, occurring in about 10% of all Americans at some point in their lifetime. Reportedly, some two million Americans seek treatment each year.
Morton’s neuroma is sometimes referred to as Morton’s metatarsalgia, because a true tumor is not believed to be present. The term neuroma is typically used to refer to a tumor. But, in this condition, a bundle of tissue fibers presses on nerve tissues. Basically, it is a pinched nerve.
The usual symptoms are numbness and/or pain in the second, third and/or fourth toes. A “pins and needles” feeling is … Read the Full Article
Unless you were born with overlapping toes, the most likely cause of the problem is continuously wearing shoes of a poor design or those that fit poorly. There are, however, other causes that bear mentioning.
Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis can cause deformities in the joints, which can cause the toes to overlap or press on each other. Any of the joints of the toes and feet can be affected.
Hammertoes… Read the Full Article
Onychocryptosis is the medical term used for ingrown toenails. Another less common term is Unguis incarnates. It is a common form of nail disease. While Onychocryptosis can occur on the nails of the hands, it most often affects the toenails. In this condition, the nails grow at an angle, which causes them to cut into the nail bed.
The symptoms commonly include pain, swelling and redness along the outer edges … Read the Full Article
Simply put, hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. The sweat glands secrete abnormally large amounts of perspiration; much more than what is necessary to cool the body. It can affect any part of the body, but the feet, hands, armpits and groin are most affected, simply because there are more sweat glands in those locations.
Other than excessive sweating, the problem is often accompanied by psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and/or depression. Dehydration … Read the Full Article
The bursas are small fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between the bones, tendons, muscles and joints of the body. There are many bursas throughout the body.
Bursitis is simply inflammation of the bursa. In heel bursitis, the bursa separating the Achilles tendon from the joints, bones or the muscles of the lower foot are inflamed.
The symptoms include localized pain and/or stiffness in the back of the foot … Read the Full Article
A hammertoe is a deformity that can occur from a number of causes. It is so called, because the toe(s) resemble a hammer. They are permanently bent at the joints, rather than lying normally.
While this deformity can occur on any toe, it is most common on the second, third or fourth toe and affects the joint closest to the end of the toe.
A similar condition is mallet toe, which affects the upper joint, closest to … Read the Full Article