Bunions

A bunion is a bony, usually painful hump at the base of the big toe where the toe bends to walk. Bunions can be caused by arthritis, weak or poor foot structure and if one leg is longer than the other. Women are more likely to get them than men due to wearing tight shoes (especially high heels) that push the foot bones into an unnatural shape over time. Treatments include medication to relieve pain, heating pad, warm foot bath, changing your shoes, and in severe cases, surgery (bunionectomy).

Diabetic foot care

If not managed properly, diabetes can cause irreversible damage to the feet and in some cases, amputation. People with diabetes face two main dangers in relation to their feet: neurological damage (impacts the ability to feel pain, resulting in foot injuries) and vascular damage (increases the risk of infection and foot ulcers). To prevent these complications, diabetics should check their feet every day, wear clean socks, be very careful when cutting their toenails, wear shoes that do not cause friction, and be under the constant medical supervision of a podiatrist.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that causes your toe to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward, most often affecting the second or third toe. It usually develops over time due to arthritis, a very high arch or wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as tight, pointed heels. Typical treatments include wearing properly fitting shoes, putting toe pads or insoles in your shoes, medication to relieve pain, and in severe cases, surgery.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a very painful condition caused by inflammation of the thick tissue, or fascia, that run along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes. It tends to affect long distance runners, people with low arches, people who are on their feet all day and people who are overweight. Treatments include stretching the lower legs, feet and ankles, applying ice to the arch, wearing a night splint and choosing shoes with strong arch support.

Surgery

Because the feet and ankles support the body’s weight and must bear the impact of walking and running, they are easily injured. Twisting, spraining and fracturing the foot or ankle are common injuries, caused by strenuous athletic activities, a trip or misstep, or even ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes. Arthritis is a major cause of foot and ankle surgery—specifically, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic arthritis. The most common types of foot and ankle surgery are ankle arthroscopy, bunion surgery and hammertoe surgery.

Wound care

When injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises and even more serious wounds occur on your feet, heels or ankles, they can be especially painful and hard to heal. Proper care and treatment for a foot wound from the very moment it occurs is very important to ensure proper healing. This includes cleaning the wound, applying antibiotic cream, covering with a bandage and watching for signs of infection. People with diabetes who sustain foot and/or ankle wounds need to be especially careful and see should a podiatrist immediately.