A recent study showed that up to 75% of Americans will come across foot complications at some point. On average, all foot and ankle injuries for people over 17 are sprains or ankle strains. However, there are many other foot health conditions out there that people should consider.
In this guide, we take a look at what are some of the common foot health conditions.
Well, there are many health issues in this category, and we shall be taking a look at them, along with some in depth information. Imagine being well empowered to tackle foot health issues, and come up with the right solutions. Key to your success in the battle against such foot issues would be to get the best comfortable shoes.
So, let us get started:
Common Foot Health Complications
There are several foot health issues that people experience across the world today. We shall take a look at the common ones, and a few treatment options for the same:
1. Plant Fasciitis
- Definition
Refers to an excessive inflammation that occurs when one over stretches a part of the foot known as the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a set of broad fibrous tissue, which sits on the bottom section of the foot. The role of this tissue is to connect the bottom of the heel bone, and to help extend the forefoot.
Any excessive stretch that occurs to this section of this foot will lead to plantar fasciitis. The other issues it can lead to include heel spurs, arch pain and heel pain.
- Cause
Plantar fasciitis can lead to various complications including arch pain, heel spurts and heel pain. It occurs due to over stretching of the plantar fasciitis. A few of the common causes of such issues might include:
- Over pronation (flat feet) – can occur when the arch of the feet collapses due to excessive weight. A few of the factors that lead to over-pronation include obesity, improper footwear, excessive pressure and more.
Furthermore, the issue might also occur when your arch collapses due to weight bearing, which then causes the plantar fascia to move away from the bone. The most common sign of the issue would be that it hurts on the interior section of the foot, where your arch and heels exist.
The pain is often significant early in the morning, or after long hours of physical activity. The main reason for this is because the plantar fascia goes back to its original shape after the rest. The pain might decrease as the day continues, and this will help it decrease.
Treatment and Prevention
The key for the right treatment of this health issue would to first find the cause. If the cause is flat feet, also known as over-pronation, then using an orthotic product can be of help.
For those who have high arches, wearing the right footwear, especially those that provide support to the heel is important.
The other suitable solutions of this problem include physical activity, using splints, comfortable shoes and elevating the heel section.
Products such as heel cups and heel cradles can also be excellent for foot support. Each time you place pressure on your foot, this causes the plantar fascia to move.
So, you can also avoid physical activity if you want to prevent or treat the issue.
2. Bunions
- Definition
Otherwise referred to as “Hallux Valgus” in the medical industry, bunions rank among some of the most popular health issues today. Usually, it appears in the form of a large bump, on the interior section of the foot.
To be specific, a bunion refers to when the bone in your feet grows towards the inner section of the foot. The unusual growth inwards often causes the big toe to rest on the small second toe. Thus, this leads to a health issue people refer to as overlapping toes.
A few common symptoms of this issue can include swelling, inflammation and pain after wearing shoes for a long duration. The discomfort might also have negative effects on the movement of the individual.
The other common type of bunion you might come across would be the Tailor’s Bunion. It occurs on the 5th toe, and it forms on the exterior section of the foot.
- Cause
Usually, ladies are the people who are most prone to the condition of bunions. The main reason for this is because they tend to put on compact dress shoes. It causes the toe to squeeze together in the shoes, which in turn cause the first metatarsal to grow going outwards.
The other common causes can be arthritis, abnormal foot functions and even wearing the wrong shoes.
Furthermore, tight and narrow dress shoes that have small toe box areas can compromise the structure of the toe. It may cause the foot to start taking up the shoe, which can in turn lead to the development of the bunion.
The other common issue would be compromised bio-mechanics, with a good example being flat feet. In some cases, the poor bio-mechanics can sometimes be genetically based. The other few health issues that can lead to the problem include trauma, muscle disorders and more.
Treatment and Prevention
There are quite a few treatment techniques that you can use to address the presence of bunions. A good example would be conservative treatment, which helps release any pain associated with the bunions.
Plus, any footwear that has a wide toe box would be perfect for these purposes. Orthotics are also important if you have this condition, as they offer optimal support or the arch of the foot.
A good example for most people today would be flip flops with arch support. Besides, orthotics is also important in guiding the growth of the shoe, which helps stop any deformity associated with the bunions.
If the pain is persistent, consider using bunion relief medications.
