Put Your Best Feet Forward

Although feet come in all sizes and shapes, they are the same when it comes to design and structure. The human foot consists of 26 bones; 33 joints; 250,000 sweat glands; and a complex network of blood vessels, nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Your feet are built especially to carry your weight, but that doesn’t always mean they do so without complaint.

Most Americans log a remarkable 75,000 miles on their feet by age 50, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. And more than 75 percent have foot problems during their lifetime. So you are wise to treat your feet well.

Pain in the Foot

While feet can have more problems than any other part of your body, foot pain is not something you should ignore. Foot problems can lead to pain in your knees, hips and back. They can even be a sign of a serious disease such as diabetes or arthritis. While certain foot problems are inherited, many are caused by wear and tear or neglect and abuse. When any foot woe limits your activity, causes severe pain or doesn’t get better, it’s time to visit your doctor to find out what’s going on.

The Usual Suspects

Here are a few facts and treatments for five very common foot problems:

Bunions

are crooked big-toe joints that have become swollen and tender. The first joint of the big toe often turns outward, and the big toe angles toward the other toes. Bunions are often hereditary, but tight shoes can make this tendency worse. The best way to avoid bunions is to wear shoes that have a wide toe box, and avoid wearing pointy-toed high heels.

Treatment: Bunions can cause extreme pain if untreated. You may find it helps to wear wide-cut shoes or protect the bunion with soft pads. Your doctor may recommend special exercises or special shoe inserts. However, surgery is often needed to ease pressure and repair the toe joint.

Corns

are thick layers of dead skin cells that are found on the toes. They can form when bony parts of your toe rub against your shoe. This friction can cause burning and pain.

Treatment: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may help you feel better but won’t fix the problem. Shoes that fit better and moleskin or padding on areas that hurt may help. Never trim or cut corns or calluses with a tool. See your primary care provider for recommendations on treatment if the OTC treatments are not correcting the symptoms.

Fungal nail infections

are caused by tiny organisms called fungi under the toenail. They can make your toenails turn a dark color, smell bad or have white marks.

Many people ignore nail infections because generally they don’t cause pain. But the infection can spread to skin, fingernails and other toenails.

Treatment: This can include OTC topical medicine. Or a doctor may prescribe topical or oral antifungal medications. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove the nail.

Plantar fasciitis

is an inflamed band of tissue that connects your heel bones to your toes. It is the most common cause of heel and arch pain. The condition is a result of overuse from too much walking, running or standing. It can also be caused by a high arch, flat feet and being overweight. Plantar fasciitis may be associated with heel spurs, a bony growth on the heel bone.

Treatment: Relief may come from rest, special exercises and stretches, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medicines, or cortisone shots. Or your doctor may suggest that you wear splints, cushioned shoes, arch supports or heel lifts and not walk barefoot. Surgery is rarely needed.

Plantar warts

are skin growths that usually appear on the bottoms of your feet. They often have hard, flat, raised surfaces with clear boundaries. Some have black dots in the center. Warts are caused by a virus that enters the skin through small cuts.

Treatment: Although most are harmless, warts can hurt and spread if not treated. They may resist treatment and often reoccur. Because OTC products rarely cure warts, you may need to see your doctor. Some doctors use prescription topical acids to remove them, but most use simple surgery, under local anesthetic. Removal with lasers is also a common and effective treatment.

Get Happy Feet

The following tips can help keep your feet happy and healthy:

Check it out.

See your family doctor or a podiatrist (a doctor who treats feet) if you notice pain, excessively dry skin, thickened or discolored nails, swelling, redness, a growth, or unusual sensations in your feet. If you have diabetes, see your doctor at least once a year for a thorough foot exam.

Good grooming.

Routinely wash your feet thoroughly and dry completely. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Try not to cut into corners or on the sides to avoid ingrown toenails.

Motion matters.

Boost blood flow by stretching, walking and elevating your feet when possible. Enjoy a foot massage or warm foot bath. To help improve circulation, don’t sit or keep your legs crossed for long periods of time — and don’t smoke!

Shoe sense.

Wear comfy shoes that fit properly and suit your activity. Replace worn shoes and don’t wear the same pair every day. Avoid walking barefoot — unprotected feet are more susceptible to injury and infection.

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