Common Foot Disorders
Your feet play a very important role in everyday life, getting you from one place to another and back again. For some people who spend most, if not all, of their working hours on their feet, their very livelihood is dependent on keeping them healthy. If something happens to one or both of your feet, it can interfere significantly with your daily routine. For these reasons, do what you can to avoid any foot problems or treat them quickly if they arise.
Structure of the Foot
The physical structure of the foot is fairly complex, according to MedlinePlus, which points out that each one contains "26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments." That very complexity can play a part in the development of disorders. Among the most common, according to MedlinePlus, are fallen arches, corns/calluses, bunions, plantar warts and hammer toes. To this list, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society adds the following: arthritis, athlete's foot, claw toe, fractures, heel pain, ingrown toenails, metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, nail fungus infection and plantar fasciitis.
Bunions, Corns and Calluses
Bunions, which are much more common in women than in men, are enlargements of the inner side of the joint at the base of the big toe, according to MedicineNet.com. This disorder, which can become inflamed and painful, alters the big toe's alignment from straight forward to one in which it turns toward the smaller toes. Corns and calluses, which can develop on the hands as well, are areas of thick, hardened skin that develop as the body seeks to protect itself in areas that receive persistent pressure and friction. Ill-fitting shoes are often the culprit.
Plantar Fasciitis and Warts
Most frequently seen on the heel, plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot becomes irritated and swollen, making it painful to walk. Like plantar fasciitis, plantar warts affect the bottom of the foot, although they are usually painless, they can be unsightly. For that reason alone, most people who develop such warts seek to have them removed.
Fallen Arches
Fallen arches, also known as pes planus, is a condition in which the instep or arch of the foot breaks down, bringing it into contact with the ground. Unlike other forms of flat feet, most of which are congenital and painless, fallen arches can be very painful and can put increased strain on the ligaments and tendons that support the foot.
Toe Disorders
This category includes hammer, claw, trigger and mallet toes, and basically is descriptive of toes that are slightly misshapen or deformed, bringing them into constant contact with adjacent toes or footwear. This increased friction and/or pressure can lead to the development of corns and calluses.
Toenail Problems
Also widely reported are ingrown toenails and fungal infections of the toenail. The former can become very painful if not treated promptly. This condition most often affects the big toe. Fungal infections of the toenail are usually not that painful but can be quite unsightly, particularly during the summer season when open-toed shoes are often the footwear of choice. Both conditions can be readily treated.
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