Every day, your feet take you where you need to go. Plus, they dance for joy, run for miles and may even look cute in sandals.
You only get one pair of feet, so it's essential to treat them well. Regular preventive care can help keep your feet healthy throughout your life.
Here's a rundown of several common foot conditions that might send you to a foot specialist, known as a podiatrist.
Achilles tendinopathy. This causes acute and chronic pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon. Poorly fitting or worn-out shoes, incorrect running form, or being overweight are typical culprits.
Bunions. Too-tight shoes can cause this painful, bony bump at the base of your big toe joint. Eventually, arthritis can develop. Wearing wider shoes can help ease pain. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Hammer toe. Usually affecting the second toe—or sometimes the third or fourth, this condition is characterized by a z-shaped bend in the toe that cannot be easily straightened. It can be caused by injury, badly fitting shoes, rheumatoid arthritis or even genetics. Surgery may be needed to straighten the toe joint.
Corns. These hard bumps on top of your toe joints often hurt and are the result of pressure and friction from poorly fitting shoes. Topical treatments can soften corns, or a podiatrist can remove them.
Diabetic neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop this condition, which involves loss of sensation due to nerve damage. It should be managed carefully by a doctor.
Gout. Uric acid buildup can cause severe, sudden joint pain; redness; and swelling in the feet. Family history, excessive alcohol use and being overweight are risk factors. Gout can go away on its own, but professional treatment can bring relief sooner.
Plantar fasciitis. This is a common cause of heel pain, triggered by strain or injury to the band of tissue that connects your heel to the ball of your foot. It's usually worse in the morning and after resting. A podiatrist can diagnose it and recommend effective treatments.
Watson Clinic’s team of
Podiatric Surgery specialists offer comprehensive treatments for disorders involving the foot and ankle. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 863-680-7214 or visit
WatsonClinic.com/Podiatry.
Sources: American Podiatric Medical Association; Merck Manuals Online Medical Library; UpToDate