Posts for tag: shoes
Every mile you walk places a tremendous amount of stress on your feet. The good news is your feet can handle a heavy load, but, too much stress may push them past their limit. The shoes you wear or surfaces you walk on can increase the stress level. Heel pain is one of the first signs that too much stress is being placed on your feet. A sore heel will usually get better on its own with adequate rest. The problem is that many people try to ignore the early signs of heel pain and continue the activities that caused it.
It is important to see the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates right away to determine why there is foot pain and determine the proper treatment. The doctors will begin by asking where exactly the pain is located and when it began. Next, they will examine your foot, looking and feeling for signs of tenderness, swelling, and bruising. The doctors may ask you to walk, stand on one foot, or other physical tests that help determine the pain’s cause. Conditions that cause heel pain generally fall into two main categories: pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel.
If the pain is greatest under you heel, you may have a condition causing inflammation in that area. A stone bruise occurs after stepping on a hard object such as a rock or stone. The object can bruise the fat pad on the underside of the heel and pain gradually reduces with rest. Plantar fasciitis typically occurs after too much running, jumping, or stretching of the tissue band that connects the heel bone and the base of the toes. The pain is centered under the heel and is most intense with taking your first steps after resting. A heel spur is another cause of pain and can form from long standing plantar fasciitis. An x-ray may be used to visualize the boney projection from the heel.
Pain behind the heel is generally due to the Achilles tendon. This condition is called retrocalcaneal bursitis and is an inflammation of the insertion of the Achilles tendon into the heel bone. People often develop this by running too much or wearing shoes that rub or cut into the back of the heel. This irritation can cause a slow increase in skin thickness, redness, or swelling. A bump that is tender and warm to touch may also develop. Pain is most severe with first activity after resting. It is not uncommon for the pain to be so severe that normal shoes cannot be worn. After taking x-rays, a podiatrist will prescribe stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and icing.
Corns and calluses are thick, hard sections of skin found on the foot. These conditions aren’t serious, but they can result in severe pain. Corns and calluses are really an area of increased thickness of the skin formed by too much pressure or friction. They generally form at bony prominences of the foot where friction is greatest. Usually poor fitting shoes cause these areas of friction, but they can also form because of how the foot moves during walking.
Calluses are typically found on the bottom of the foot. Corns are actually calluses that occur on the toes when hammertoes have formed. (Hammertoes are toes that are always bent, forming an upside down V when looked at from the side.) These thick layers of dead skin cells are generally white or yellow patches of thick, tough skin. They may also look flaky, or seem like dry skin. Corns are generally small and round, with a very sore spot in the middle and yellowish skin surrounding. Calluses are commonly larger and may have a peak in the middle.
Anyone can develop a callus or corn from poor fitting shoes or the way their foot moves during walking. The podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates can easily treat these painful areas. The fastest and easiest way to treat calluses and corns is to remove the areas of increased skin. Another method is to reduce the friction or irritation that caused the callus or corn. This can be accomplished by adding padding to the shoe to offload the pressure area or adding an orthotic. Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that help the foot move in its most natural path. Another important preventative step is to wear comfortable shoes to help protect the foot from corns and calluses.
Being trapped in a tiny airplane seat in an enclosed area without much room to move can lead to swollen feet. The same can be said for long car rides. The easiest way to prevent swollen feet during travel, is to move around to get your blood flowing. When you’re sitting, the muscles that help pump fluid out of your legs are not active. This can lead to blood pooling in your feet and uncomfortable swelling. The low cabin pressure, combined with dry air circulating in a plane, can also slow blood circulation. This is because when you are dehydrated, your blood gets a bit thicker and circulation is slowed. Poor circulation can allow dangerous blood clots to form in the legs, which can travel to the lungs or brain, causing very serious health complications.
When traveling, it is important to keep normal blood flow. Below is a list of some tips to promote blood circulation to your feet during holiday travel.
Watch your diet. Taking precautions to avoid salt the day of and before travel will help maintain normal fluid levels. Salt can cause you to retain fluid, which can make your feet swell even more.
Drink water. Drink plenty of water the day before and day of your trip. Drinking water will help you prevent dehydration and encourage you to walk to the bathroom.
Walk around. When flying, get up several times during the flight to get your blood flowing. This is especially important on flights over two hours. While walking around is not encouraged in a car, take an extra five minutes to walk around the gas station or rest stop.
Leave plenty of room for your feet. If your feet are fighting for space with bags, they will be more restricted and may be placed into positions that cut off the blood supply. Asking for an aisle seat on a plane, will make it easier for you to move around and give more room.
Exercise your legs. When you can’t get up and walk around, you can still use the muscles in your feet. Point your toes up and down and side to side to get your feet moving. Also, try spreading your toes or using them to pick an item off the ground.
Don’t cross your feet. Your circulation is already slow when you are sitting for hours; don’t make the mistake of cutting it off even more by crossing your legs.
Wear proper footwear. Compression socks or hose will help bring blood back to your heart. Slip-on shoes are great because they can be easily removed and allow you to massage or exercise your feet.
Choosing footwear that properly fits can prevent many common foot problems. Hammertoes, calluses, corns, heel pain, andbunionscan all be caused or aggravated by improper footwear. A survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) found that 73% of women admitted experiencing foot pain and discomfort because of their shoes. The key to preventing foot issues is to wear shoes that support your specific foot type. This does not mean every shoe should be a sneaker. Dress shoes and many high-heeled shoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different foot types. It is important to choose footwear with comfort in mind. Pointy-toe styles can cause hammertoes and bunions. A shoe with a round toe area is the best shape since it allows the most room for the toes to move naturally. According to the APMA, heels over three inches put seven times the pressure on the ball of the foot. They can also lead to balance problems and place unnecessary stress on your knees and ankles.
It is important to get your feet measured on a regular basis as feet naturally widen and lengthen with age. Have your feet measured while standing with full weight of your body on your feet. Most people have one larger foot; therefore, it is important to fit your new shoes accordingly. When trying on your next pair of shoes, there should be one-half inch between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. It is also a good idea to try on both shoes and walk around the store. If your feet hurt in the store, don’t buy them, as footwear should not need a break-in period.
Before purchasing your next pair of shoes, spend a moment to look at how it is made. To reduce the chance of excessive sweating and blisters choose breathable materials such as leather. Look inside the shoe for exposed seams, pieces of material, or outcroppings of leather that can rub against you foot and cause blistersor wounds. It is best to shop for footwear in the afternoon or evening when feet are largest due to natural swelling. Full-service shoe stores are more likely to carry half sizes and have knowledgeable staff members who can measure your feet and suggest a specific shoe. Focusing on your foot health as you shoe shop is definitely worth the extra time and effort!
Your two feet contain more than 50 bones forming around 60 joints with 200 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold them together and help them move. Considering all these parts must move together, it is not surprising that many problems can affect your feet. Think about the tough job your feet have and all the activities you do that add stress to their job. Your work may require that you stand or walk around for hours at a time and your choice of exercise or fashion can also add to the workload of your feet. Adding to the concerns your feet have, they are the farthest body part from your heart and brain. Because your feet are so important, it is essential not to ignore any foot pain or conditions. Many times health conditions first show symptoms in your feet!
Here is a quick test to see the condition of your feet.
- First, check your skin for calluses, blisters, or areas of irritation. Next stand next to the shoes you wear most often. Are your shoes shaped like your feet, or are they tight in areas and causing rubbing? If you place your hand inside of your shoe are there seams, tacks, or rough places in the shoe? When your shoe’s shape does not match your foot, it can cause areas of irritation, calluses, or blisters.
- Now look at the color of your toes. Are they red, pink, purple, or blue? Press down on the tip of your toes until they turn white. Once you release your figure from your toe start counting. The normal color should return in 2-5 seconds. If it takes longer than 5 seconds, this could mean you have poor blood flow to your toes.
- How flexible are your toes? Try to pick up a small rock or dishtowel. Also, try testing your ankle flexibility by hanging your heel over the edge of a stair while standing on the stair and facing the stairs. Now let your heel go below the level of the stair. If this causes pain, stop the test. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain then this is excellent. If there is some strain, this can be improved with flexibility exercises.
- To check the sensation of your feet take a pencil eraser and lightly run it on the top, bottom, and side of both feet. The sensation should feel equal in all areas. Now try taking a few steps. Do you notice any pain or discomfort? The average foot lacks pain.
By Dr. Scott Werter of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach,SC