4 Common Foot Problems and Ways to Fix Them

Every day your feet experience severe loads. They carry all your body weight while fitting into tight stilettos or ill-fitting shoes. There is no wonder why one out of six people in America complain of foot pain and other foot issues.

Below are 4 common foot problems and ways to fix them.

1. Bunions and hammertoes

Over 50 percent of women in the United States get bunions at some point. A bunion is a swollen bump on the joint that connects your big toe to the foot. Women are more prone to this issue because they often wear high heels and have broader forefeet than men. Wearing such shoes may also contribute to the hammertoes. As the name states, this is a condition when the toe becomes bent in the middle of the joint.

Hammertoe usually causes discomfort and pain when you walk or put pressure on the affected toe. The discomfort usually disappears after a rest.

One of the necessary things to treat hammertoe is comfortable and good-fitting shoes. If necessary, you can even buy footwear in a larger size. Keep in mind that the size of your foot can slightly change due to weight gain, injury, or pregnancy. The treatment of bunions and hammertoe requires a visit to the foot doctor. The specialist may recommend bunion pads or cushions, medications, and shoe inserts.

2. Ankle sprains

An ankle sprain is the most common foot issue in the United States. Over 25,000 cases of ankle sprain occur every day. This can happen when your foot twists or stretches to an abnormal range of motion, causing tears in the ligament. The most common activities during which people get sprains are running and jumping.

The severity of the sprain can range from mild to severe. With a mild sprain, you may feel only some tenderness and swelling, but still will be able to walk. If you have a severe sprain, the symptoms become serious. A severe sprain may cause intense pain and impair your ability to walk for several days. It is important to treat an ankle sprain. Over 40 percent of sprains can contribute to chronic pain without treatment.

In the first several hours after a sprain, you can use RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) therapy to relieve discomfort. If after several days pain and swelling still persist, you need to see your doctor for an exam. The doctor may recommend a splint, possibly crutches, and even physical therapy.

3. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an injury of a long ligament (plantar fascia) that connects your heel to the front of the foot. The plantar fascia is an important part of your foot because it provides support for the arch. Wearing tight shoes or rapid weight gain may overstrain plantar fascia. This results in ligament swelling called plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis usually causes pain at the bottom of the foot near the heel. The pain may become worse after long periods of inactivity like sitting or lying down. This happens because the ligament stiffens when it isn’t used for long periods. The pain may also become more intense after a physical activity due to stress.

Many treatment options exist to cure plantar fasciitis. This includes rest, stretching exercises, orthotics, anti-inflammatory remedies, and surgery. Fortunately, over 90 percent of patients can successfully treat plantar fasciitis within 10 months of continuous treatment.

4. Achilles tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is a tissue that connects your heel bone to your calf muscles. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. This issue usually affects people who exercise a lot or wear high heels daily.

Achilles tendinitis causes symptoms like swelling, pain, and stiffness in your heels. The pain and other symptoms tend to be the most severe in the morning and after an intense workout.

Rest is the most important part of Achilles tendonitis treatment. Icing the Achilles tendon also helps relieve discomfort and inflammation. The doctor may also prescribe OTC anti-inflammatory drugs and start using a special heel lift to prevent further stretching of the Achilles tendon.