Achilles Tendonitis
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009What Are Heel Spurs?
A spur is a calcified bone deposit that can occur on any bone of the body.
A spur on the heel, detected by X-ray or through physical examination, is actually a calcification on the calcaneus, sometimes referred to as the “heel bone”, which combines with the talus to form the back of the foot.
A spur may form on the bottom of the calcaneus, just above the ligament that supports the arch of the foot, known as the plantar fascia. Or, it may form on the back of the calcaneus, just below the spot where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone.
What Are the Symptoms of Heel Spurs?
The spur itself is not painful, but the location of the deposit can cause pain in other portions of the foot.
Spurs on the bottom of the heel bone are commonly associated with a condition known as plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia), which affects several million Americans annually.
If the spur is accompanied by plantar fasciitis, pain is most severe during the first few steps of the day and occurs on the underside of the heel.
If the spike forms on the back of the calcaneus, it can cause pain in the Achilles tendon and lead to tendonitis. If the deposits are large, they can cause irritation of the skin, due to increased pressure against the shoe.
What Causes Heel Spurs?
A spur is a symptom of the body’s desire to repair itself. Extra bone is added over time, as long as we are healthy and well nourished.
In some cases, the extra bone forms in an isolated spot due to pressure, rubbing or stress that occurs over a long period of time.
Women that frequently wear high-heeled shoes and pumps are prone to have spurs on the back of the heel-bone due to the tightness and pressure. This is so common that the spurs are sometimes called “pump bumps”
Plantar fasciitis can cause the bony deposits. As the ligament becomes tight and pulls on the heel, the bone attempts to make repairs and the deposit forms.
How Are They Treated?
Heel spurs must sometimes be removed in order to treat severe or chronic Achilles tendonitis. Removal is not normally recommended for plantar fasciitis; instead, the plantar fasciitis is treated.
Avoiding shoes that are tight in the heel area is helpful, as is choosing styles that hit at a lower or higher point than the location of the spur.
Air or gelatin cushioned insoles provide pain relief and help to support the arch, which helps to heal plantar fasciitis, too.
Some of the products that are recommended include Foot Smart Plantar Fasciitis Support. The brace provides additional support for the arch of the foot and the ankle. The Plantar FXT helps to stretch the plantar fascia ligament, relieving the tightness that puts pressure on the heel.
Heel spurs will not go away, but they do not need to cause pain. Wearing appropriate shoes and cushiony insoles is the key to being pain-free.
Foot & Heel Pain
Friday, September 11th, 2009Foot & 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
Custom Orthotics
Sunday, September 6th, 2009What Are Custom Orthotics?
Orthotics is actually the medical field relating to the design, development, manufacturer or fitting of devices designed to provide additional support or correct imbalances in the muscles or bones of the body. But, the term “orthotics” is also used to refer to the devices created by those professionals.
Custom orthotics are devices that are sized to fit a specific person. When it comes to the feet and lower body, appliances that fall under the heading of custom orthotics include shoes, braces and insoles of various types.
What Are Custom Orthotics Used For?
Insoles may be used to:
- Provide additional support to the arches of the feet
- Act as shock absorbers during sports or other activities
- Reduce friction and improve the comfort of hiking boots
- Provide additional warmth in cold weather
- Help prevent or control pronation
- Provide additional support for the heels
- Correct leg-length discrepancies
- Relieve pain in specific areas of the foot
Braces may be used to provide additional support for the knee or ankle. In some cases, the braces are therapeutic; used to provide compression or cold therapy. Special braces for the toes are used to separate and straighten.
Therapeutic or orthopedic shoes may be used as an alternative to insoles. They can provide many of the same benefits.
Who Could Benefit from Custom Orthotics?
Many people can and do benefit from custom orthotics. Practically anyone could benefit from an insole, but there are specific conditions that can be relieved with an orthotic device.
- Flat feet or fallen arches—use insoles with additional arch support or an arch brace. Pro Arch orthotics, for example, are shoe inserts made from polypropylene, which flexes and springs with every step.
- Knock kneed, bow-legged, pronation, suppination—in these conditions the heels angle inward or outward, causing pain in the feet, knees and hips. Foot Smart Corrective Heel Cups provide relief by correcting the misalignment. Anti-pronation insoles are another option.
- Hammertoes, overlapping, crooked or misshapen toes—toe trainers, straighteners or separators can be used to correct the problem and relieve the pain.
- Diabetics and others with sensitive feet—Arch Crafters custom-fit insoles relieve pain in the heels, knees and back by eliminating pressure points on the bottom of the feet. A foam box is used to create a cast of your feet at home, so there is no need to see a podiatrist.
- Runner’s knee—knee braces can be used to provide added support during sports and other activities, in order to prevent and relieve knee pain.
Custom orthotics may also be beneficial for arch, ball of foot, heel, ankle, knee, hip or back pain. Healthy pain-free feet provide the right foundation for a healthy pain-free lower body.