Overview
Foot Procedures & Problems
Problems & Disorders The foot consists of 26 bones, 120 ligaments, 33 joints and 20 separate muscles which work together to control the movement of its individual parts. The foot contains almost one quarter of the body's bones. When you combine the structural complexity of the foot and the fact that the average person takes about 5,000 steps a day, it should come as no surprise that many common ailments exist. The following is a list of some of the most common conditions, and below is a brief description of the condition and treatment. Always consult your physician about your particular condition.
Arthritis is a condition that causes the inflammation and swelling of your cartilage and lining of the joints. Since your foot is composed of 33 joints, arthritis tends to start in your feet first. This condition is common in people over the age of 50, but has started at earlier ages.
Treatment for arthritis in your feet varies depending upon the severity of the condition. Some treatment options include medication, physical therapy, special shoes and
inserts.
Bunions are a displacement of the joint between the big toe and the long bone (The first Metatarsal) just behind it towards the mid-line of the body. The joint will begin to bulge towards the inside of the foot and the big toe goes the opposite direction. Although this
condition is not race or gender specific, it most commonly occurs in women who wear narrow-toed dress shoes.
Treatment can involve special supports (Orthotics) to correct an abnormal gait and stop further deformity. Medication can relieve the pain and your Podiatrist can recommend surgery if necessary.
Corns and Callus are descriptive of the same type of lesion called Hyperkeratosis. They both involve the excessive production of dead skin cells. Initially this production is to help protect the skin from pressure caused by footwear or weight bearing. But over time the
thickening of the skin can result in increases in pressure and discomfort. Corns usually are on the toes and calluses are usually on the bottom surface of the foot.
Nucleation is a deeper central core that can develop and cause acute tenderness.
Treatment is to reduce the lesion with sharp instruments and applying the appropriate pads and tape. Sometimes changing footwear, orthotics, or surgery to remove bony prominences or realign bones is recommended. Products do exist such as Kerasal Foot Medication to gently exfoliate dry, scaly, or callused skin.
Flat Feet will be termed pronated by your Podiatrist, and are a fairly common ailment
Causes include:
- Abnormality in the alignment of bones
- Excessive elasticity of the ligaments
- Muscle imbalance
- Or a combination of the above
Pronated feet alter the alignment of the feet, ankle, leg, pelvis, and lower back. These misalignments can cause problems at any level not just your feet. Long term effects include arthritis, bunions, heel spurs, and other deformities. Shin Splints may also result.
Treating this deformity may involve foot orthotics which are special supports your Podiatrist can recommend to help compensate for the poor alignment of bones.
Foot order which is termed Bromhydrosis is caused by the bacterial decomposition of normal secretions of the sweat glands.
Treatment is usually aimed at control of the sweating and may involve soaking your feet in a solution containing an anti-bacterial solution.
Planter wart is a wart (Verruca) that appears on the bottom (Planter) of the foot. They often resemble a callus. Warts are caused by exposure to a virus . This can occur for example at a public shower. The interval from exposure to seeing a wart can be months. They can also appear on the top of the foot where they tend to grow out from the skin and are easily identified. Your Podiatrist can usually distinguish the planter wart from a callus.
Treatment of this condition vary. Your Podiatrist may utilize methods such as excision, freezing, burning, strong acids etc.. But additional treatments might be necessary because warts have a high reoccurrence rate.
Toenails are common complaints and involve:
- Thickening
- Brittleness
- Discoloration
- Fungal infection
- Ingrown nails
Fungal infection is common and can cause thickening and degeneration of the nail plate.
Treatment can involve an oral anti-fungal medication or a topical one such as Restore Nail Medication which is an anti-microbial liquid which penetrates the nail tissue to kill the fungus.
Ingrown toenails are quite common in all age groups. It is a result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it. The improper trimming of the nails, tight shoes, or injury to the nail can cause ingrown toenails. Often they seem to occur for no reason at all.
If they become infected, you should soak them in warm water and Epsom salts, apply an antibiotic ointment and make an appointment to have them treated.
Treatment is simple and painless in most situations. You can resume normal daily activities within a day.
Commonly referred to as sweaty feet is caused by excessive perspiration on the sole of the foot and between the toes. Sometimes this condition is related to mental stress and nervousness, but systemic diseases such as anemia and hyperthyroidism can be involved.
Treatment may involve applying an antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride, wearing absorbent socks, avoiding synthetic materials, and or applying foot powder.
240 West End Avenue
(Corner of 71st Street)
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-3062
(212) 873-9521 - Fax
info@americanfootcare.com
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