Foot Pain & Swelling
By The Foot Care Aide | September 12, 2009
Foot pain & swelling is a symptom, not a condition.
There are many conditions that may cause these symptoms and the appropriate treatment depends on the cause. But, according to the Podiatry Institute, poor circulation is one of the most common causes.
What is Poor Circulation?
Poor circulation is something of a “catch-all” phrase that doctors use to refer to reduced circulation of bodily fluids, resulting in edema. Edema is another word for swelling. It occurs when fluids (plasma, water, etc) accumulate in the spaces between the cells of the body.
What Causes Poor Circulation?
The causes range from something as minor as spending too much time in one position, such as sitting for hours on an airplane, to something as serious as heart disease. A number of factors can contribute, such as eating too much salt or simple carbs, like white bread. Pregnancy and PMS are among the common causes.
What are the Symptoms of Poor Circulation?
Foot pain & swelling are the most common symptoms, but depending on the underlying cause, there may be swelling in the hands, puffy eyes, weight gain, increased urination, headaches or heart palpitations.
How is Poor Circulation Treated?
As mentioned above, the long-term treatment depends on the underlying cause, but the first order of business is to reduce the edema. In order to do that, the legs need to be elevated until they are above the level of the heart.
Elevation takes pressure off of the heart, allowing it to circulate bodily fluids more effectively. The human body was not actually designed to stay in one position for long periods of time. Everything works best when periods of physical activity are followed by periods of rest.
Office jobs, driving, standing at a counter for hours on end, flying and many other modern jobs and activities decrease the hearts ability to circulate fluids effectively. Taking a break from your sedentary job to walk around during the middle of the day or at least getting up to stretch every few minutes will help reduce the risk of foot pain & swelling.
Most of us cannot take a siesta during the day, but in the evening, after work, take some time to put your feet up. You can also wear support socks or stockings during the day and always be sure to wear properly fitting shoes that allow extra room, especially if edema occurs on a regular basis.
The Foot Smart Leg Elevator is an ideal solution for foot pain & swelling, regardless of the cause. It can be used during a 15 minute break or overnight. It puts the feet and legs in the perfect position to allow for improved circulation of fluids.
Improving circulation will reduce aching or cramping in the feet, legs, calves and knees. This type of therapy is beneficial for varicose veins, as well.
When foot pain & swelling occurs frequently, it should be evaluated by your doctor to rule out serious health problems. When you know that the cause is something minor, just put your feet up. It works.
Topics: Foot Swelling, Poor Circulation | No Comments »
Foot & Heel Pain
By The Foot Care Aide | September 11, 2009
Foot & heel pain can be caused by a number of different conditions. But, the most common cause is wearing poor-fitting (or poorly designed) shoes.
Whether or not you spend a great deal of time on your feet, it is important that your arches are properly supported, that the shoe is wide enough and that the heels are not too high.
High-heeled pointy toed shoes cause more aches and pains than just the ones experienced in the feet. The knees, hips and back can suffer as well.
On the other hand, well-fitting, well-designed shoes can resolve those problems, help to tone your legs and improve your posture.
Below, you will see a list of conditions that will cause foot & heel pain, a brief description, other symptoms that are associated with the condition, if applicable, and the causes.
Treatments for these conditions are listed here or on other pages of this website.
Pain-relieving drugs are often taken, but they are accompanied by unwanted side effects, of both a short and long-term nature, including liver damage.
The treatments listed here provide support, pain-relief and promote healing, without unwanted side effects.
Achilles Tendonitis
- Inflammation of the Achilles tendon
- Symptoms: pain primarily concentrated in the heel area, when standing or during physical activity
- Causes: overuse, poor training
- Recommended treatments: listed on the Achilles Tendonitis page of this website
Arthritis
- Damage to the joints accompanied by inflammation
- Symptoms: knee, ankle, foot & heel pain, sometimes accompanied by redness, swelling or enlargement of the joints
- Causes: multiple causes, depending on the type
- Recommended treatments and products: anti-inflammatory creams, such as DynaFreeze, shoe orthotics or removable insoles, shoe stretchers to accommodate enlarged joints, foot and ankle supports and orthopedic footwear
Bursitis
- Inflammation of the shock-absorbing cushions that protect the joints from injury
- Symptoms: pain and swelling, particularly in the morning, can affect any joint of the foot or heel, as well as other parts of the body
- Causes: overuse, repetitive motion, such as occurs during running; inappropriate hiking, running or walking shoes
- Recommended treatments and products: HTA pain relief spray, DynaFreeze anti-inflammatory cream, Sol Step to reduce pressure in the heel area, silicone insoles and orthopedic footwear
Charcot Foot
- Deformity of the feet, characterized by high arches, hammertoes and loss of strength
- Symptoms: before deformities become apparent, swelling, foot & heel pain and/or redness is noticed in the toes and other joints of the feet
- Causes: Genetic defects, diabetic neuropathy and diseases involving the nerves
- Recommended treatments and products: adjustable slip-on shoes, such as those made by Drew
- Read more about Charcot Foot
Cuboid Syndrome
- Chronic strain, partial dislocation or inflammation of the joints or ligaments in the area of the cuboid bone, which along with the calcaneus is responsible for lateral (side to side) foot stability
- Symptoms: pain near the outer or inner edges of the feet, sometimes radiating from one side to the other; general weakness of the feet
- Causes: improperly healed injury to the joints, ligaments or bones of the foot; repetitive injury or motions; landing from a jump; inappropriate athletic shoes
- Recommended treatments and products: manipulation of the foot by a trained podiatrist; custom orthotics; insoles; appropriate athletic shoes, such as Wellness Shoes
Diabetic Neuropathy
- Damage to the nerves of the feet
- Symptoms: foot & heel pain, tingling, numbness, burning sensations
- Cause: a complication of diabetes
- Recommended treatments and products listed on the diabetic neuropathy/diabetic foot care page
Fallen Arches/Flat Feet
- Conditions in which the arch of the foot is weak, damaged, collapsed or non-existent; the foot lays flat on the floor, rather than arching in the middle
- Symptoms: varies from no pain, at all, to pain in the feet and calves to reduced ability to walk
- Causes: genetic, the arch never developed, injury, illness, prolonged stress on the foot
- Recommended treatments and products: arch braces, such as those made by Foot Smart, custom orthotics, cushion insoles, appropriate shoes
Fatigue/Overuse/High Heels
- The most common causes of foot & heel pain
- Recommended treatments and products: rest; wearing appropriate shoes; soaking in a foot bath, such as the Hot Spa Ultimate; massage, a variety of massagers are available from Foot Smart, including the Total Leg and Foot Massager, which improves circulation and promotes healing
Topics: Achilles Tendonitis, Arch Pain & Flat Feet, Charcot Foot, Foot & Heel Pain | No Comments »
Foot Corns & Calluses
By The Foot Care Aide | September 8, 2009
What Are Foot Corns & Calluses?
Foot corns & calluses are among the most common problems that people have with their feet. A callus is a toughened area composed of dead skin, making it thicker than the surrounding tissue. A corn is a callus that has a specific shape, which is something like an ellipse.
A callus is usually white in color and resembles a hardened blister. A corn is usually yellow in color and may be either soft or hard. Hard corns are typically found on the outside of the largest or smallest toes. Soft corns typically form between the fourth and fifth toes, but may be found between the other toes, as well.
What Are the Symptoms of Foot Corns & Calluses?
Other than the hard, rough skin, there may be no symptoms, at all. People often say that foot corns & calluses are painful, but they are composed of dead skin. So, there are no nerve endings. What is actually painful is the additional pressure placed on the joint or other part of the foot when shoes are worn.
What are the Causes of Foot Corns & Calluses?
The initial cause of a corn or callus is pressure. It may be easier to understand if you think about the calluses that form on a guitarists fingers or a bowler’s thumb. Calluses form on the hands in response to repeated friction. They actually help to protect the fingers from damage.
When a corn or callus forms on the feet, the probable cause is poorly fitting or poorly designed shoes. For example, shoes with narrow pointed toes are the most common cause.
Moisture between the toes can lead to the formation of soft corns, because of increased friction. High heeled shoes can cause the formation of corns or calluses on the balls of the feet, because of increased pressure in that area.
The shape of the corn is related to the circular rubbing pressure that is continuously placed on the foot or toe. By looking at the shape or location, you may be able to identify which shoes are doing the rubbing.
What are the Treatments for Foot Corns & Calluses?
The first step is to stop wearing shoes that place pressure on the sides of the feet or toes. Choose a suitable width, made of a softer material that applies little or no pressure.
If you must wear dress shoes made of hard leather, invest in a shoe stretcher with attachments to create a little extra space in the location of the corn or callus. The Foot Smart Fit Right two-way shoe stretcher comes highly recommended.
Insoles can be used to reduce pressure points and rubbing. Padding of various materials can be used to further reduce pressure or to cushion a blister and prevent a callus from forming.
Pumice stones can be used to smooth down calluses and a callus treatment cream can help, too. With the right shoes and a few accessories, you can say goodbye to foot corns & calluses for good.
Topics: Corns & Calluses | No Comments »