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Standing for prolonged periods of time can cause damage to your feet. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of the job for many working people. Common foot conditions that may occur as a result of being on your feet all day include foot pain, blisters, calluses, corns, arthritis, toe deformities, sprains, bunions, athlete’s foot, and fallen arches. 

There are certain steps that you can take to prevent work-related foot problems. If you are on your feet all day, it is recommended that you avoid shoes that have high heels, pointed toes, a fit that is too loose or too tight, and a lack of arch support. If you work in a place where foot injuries are a common occupational hazard, such as a construction zone, wearing the right shoes becomes increasingly important. Wearing comfortable, properly fitted, supportive shoes made of breathable materials can mitigate the risk of developing a variety of foot problems.

Maintaining an immobile, upright stance for prolonged periods of time is bad for your foot health. If possible, take breaks throughout the day to sit down, stretch, and walk around. At home, take care of your feet with a daily foot care routine. Wash the feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Apply a moisturizer to prevent cracked heels. When trimming the toenails, trim straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Wear clean socks daily. If you notice any problems developing in your feet or ankles, consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose and treat your condition and help you maintain the health of your feet. 

Participating in sports is great for maintaining your health and fitness, but can sometimes result in injuries to your feet or ankles. Common sports-related foot and ankle injuries include Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, stress fractures, turf toe, and plantar fasciitis. 

Achilles tendonitis is a common injury in which the Achilles tendon located at the back of your ankle becomes inflamed due to overuse or biomechanical issues with the feet. Symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include pain in the lower calf, swelling, stiffness, redness, warmth, and reduced strength and range of motion. 

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may experience symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, and bruising at the site of the sprain, a limited ability to move the affected ankle, and difficulty walking. 

Stress fractures are fine cracks that occur in the bones when they can’t bear the load placed on them. These fractures often occur in the foot bones and get worse over time if they are not promptly diagnosed and treated. Symptoms of stress fractures in the feet include tenderness, deep and dull or sharp and localized pain, weakness, swelling, and bruising. 

Turf toe is a sprain of the largest joint in the big toe. It can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, or tenderness that vary in intensity depending on the severity of the injury. 

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot. This condition usually causes stabbing heel pains, arch pain, and pain when taking your first steps after a long period of rest.

If you have injured your feet or ankles while playing sports, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist who can diagnose and treat your condition and get you back on your feet. 

When the skin on the heels is dry, it may begin to crack. These cracks are not just unsightly, they can also be uncomfortable or deep and painful. In some cases, these heel cracks can even bleed, increasing their risk of becoming infected. This can make walking, standing, or even bearing weight on the heels difficult. 

Cracked heels can be caused by a variety of factors. These include prolonged standing, wearing open-back shoes or shoes that don’t cushion the heels, living in a cold or dry climate, taking long, hot showers, and not moisturizing the heels, as well as various medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, palmoplantar keratoderma, or juvenile plantar dermatosis. 

The best way to prevent and treat mild cases of cracked heels is to regularly soak the feet, exfoliate the heels with a pumice stone, and then moisturize them. It is also best to avoid wearing open-back or thin-soled and unsupportive shoes. In more severe cases, it is suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist, who can help you manage your cracked heels and overall foot health. People who have cracked heels and diabetes or a weakened immune system should also be under the care of a chiropodist.

A bunion is a bony bump that develops on the outside of the big toe, at the base of the big toe joint. Over time, a bunion can cause the big toe to move out of its proper alignment and lean towards the second toe. The bunion may become painful, stiff, red, and swollen. Calluses sometimes form on top of the bunion as the bunion rubs against the inside of your shoe as you walk. Calluses can also form on the area where your big toe rubs against your second toe, or on the ball of the foot.

Bunions are extremely common, especially in older adults and women, although children can develop bunions or, in very rare cases, be born with them. What exactly causes bunions is unclear. They may occur as a result of a genetic predisposition due to the shape and structure of the foot or because of one’s gait. Wearing shoes that are too tight, have excessively high heels, or narrow, pointed toes may contribute to the development of bunions. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis and flat feet, may make bunions more likely as well. 

Bunions can be treated through conservative methods such as switching the shoes that you wear for shoes that are wider and more comfortable, wearing custom orthotics, wearing pads placed over the bunion to reduce pain, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and icing the foot. When conservative treatments are not effective, invasive procedures may be recommended. For more information about bunions, please consult with a chiropodist. 

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle, located next to the ankle bones. Within the tarsal tunnel are a variety of tendons, arteries, veins, and nerves, including the posterior tibial nerve. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is squeezed or compressed. This can happen due to injuries that produce inflammation or swelling near the nerve, systemic diseases like arthritis, an abnormal structure such as a cyst putting pressure on the nerve, or flat feet straining the nerve as you walk. 

Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include tingling, burning, or electrical shock sensations in the inside of the ankle or bottom of the foot, as well as numbness and shooting pains. In some cases, the symptoms are isolated to one small area, like the inner ankle. In other cases, the symptoms may affect the entire foot and ankle. Symptoms typically occur during or are aggravated by physical activities like walking, running, jumping, or prolonged standing. 

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed by a chiropodist through physical examination of the affected foot and ankle. Imaging studies may be used if the chiropodist suspects that the underlying cause may be a structural abnormality, like a cyst. Treatment options for this condition include resting and icing the affected area, taking oral medications to reduce pain, immobilizing or bracing the affected foot, wearing supportive shoes or orthotic inserts, and physical therapy. Left untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Summer can be a time when the feet are particularly vulnerable to various medical problems. This is because the warm weather means that many people will wear shoes that do not adequately cushion and protect the feet or will go barefoot entirely. Fortunately, most summertime foot problems can be treated or prevented. 

In the summertime, most people frequent warm, moist public areas, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers, walking around barefoot. These places are breeding grounds for various fungi and viruses that can get into the feet, causing an infection. Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It’s characterized by a red, scaly, itchy rash and skin peeling, usually found between the toes. Fungus can also infect the toenails, making them brittle, crumbly, thickened, and discolored. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that can cause benign, fleshy growths called warts to grow on the soles of the feet. When going to public places, it’s suggested that you wear shoes to protect your feet from infectious agents and that you avoid sharing personal items like shoes and towels with others. 

For many people, staple summer footwear includes flip-flops and open-back, open-toe sandals. Unfortunately, these shoes are usually flimsy and don’t protect the feet or provide any support or cushioning. Some also require you to scrunch up your toes while you walk to keep the shoes on your feet. This can lead to a variety of foot and ankle injuries, heel pain, arch pain, bunions, hammertoes, and dry, cracked heels. When shopping for summer shoes, look for shoes that fit properly and have adequate cushioning in the heel and arch area. They should stay on your feet while you walk without any effort and protect your feet from the elements. If you must wear flip-flops, limit wear to just a few hours every few days, or when going to specific places like the pool or beach. 

For more information about common summer foot problems and how to treat and prevent them, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Slow-healing wounds on the feet are a frequent complication of diabetes and always warrant prompt medical attention. Left untreated, these wounds can develop into diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), greatly increasing your risk of infection, tissue death, and amputation. But how do these wounds form in the first place, and what can be done to prevent them?

Diabetics are often afflicted with two other co-occurring conditions, peripheral neuropathy and poor circulation. Peripheral neuropathy causes nerve damage and often affects the nerves of the lower limbs, leading to tingling, numbness, and a loss of sensation in the feet. A lack of sensation can leave you unable to physically feel pain if you cut, scrape, puncture, or otherwise injure your feet. This can be a serious problem, as pain is typically the first indication that something is wrong. When you don’t feel it happen, an injury on your foot can go undetected and untreated, progressively worsening until it forms a serious wound. These wounds usually heal slowly because of another complication of diabetes, poor circulation. When the blood supply to your feet is not adequate, this area of your body does not get the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to perform its usual processes, including wound healing. Poor circulation results in wounds that heal slowly or don’t heal at all. 

Fortunately, there are measures that you can take to prevent diabetic foot wounds from occurring or worsening. Maintain good foot hygiene by washing and thoroughly drying your feet each day and performing a daily foot check. Using a mirror or with help from a caregiver, examine your feet each day for any abnormalities, such as sores, cuts, scrapes, bruises, blisters, discoloration, swelling, and ingrown toenails. If you notice any foot problems, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist who can treat these issues and offer you more information about managing your foot health. 

Plantar hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes the feet to sweat excessively. It typically affects both feet equally. Plantar hyperhidrosis can greatly affect one’s life. When the feet sweat too much, they can become chronically damp, cold, white, and pruney. The skin of the feet becomes a perfect breeding ground for a variety of fungi and bacteria that thrive in moist environments. Infections like athlete’s foot can spread on the feet and to the toes and other parts of the body. The feet may also produce a strong, unpleasant odor. 

Plantar hyperhidrosis can also affect your footwear. Excessive sweat can ruin your shoes over time. The moisture may also cause your feet to slip around or out of the shoes, becoming a serious safety hazard. Friction blisters also become more likely. At the same time, you may not want to take off your shoes, in fear of leaving behind damp footprints or having someone notice the state of your feet. 

Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to reduce sweating and improve your quality of life. The first line of treatment is usually a topical antiperspirant. These can be bought over the counter at the drugstore or prescribed by your chiropodist. They typically come in the form of a gel, powder, or cream and are applied directly to the feet to prevent sweat from reaching the surface, much like the antiperspirants you might find in your deodorant. Another option is taking oral medications to temporarily reduce excessive sweating. Iontophoresis, a treatment that uses electrical currents conducted through water to reduce hyperactivity in the sweat glands may help. In some cases, more invasive treatments, like botox injections directly into the feet to disable the sweat glands, may be prescribed. 

To learn more about plantar hyperhidrosis and to find the right treatment for you, please consult with a chiropodist.  

The toes are hard at work every time you stand, walk, run, hop, skip, or jump. They help to push the foot off the ground and to keep you balanced. When a toe is in pain it can negatively impact your normal daily activities. Among the numerous causes for toe pain, the chief one is trauma, such as stubbing a toe or dropping something heavy on it. This often causes severe bruising and affects your ability to bear weight. Other common causes of toe pain are bunions, hammertoes, nerve damage, and toenail problems. In addition, toe pain can be caused by gout (a type of arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, or warts. Further causes include toenail infections, ingrown toenails, and athlete’s foot infections. Treatment by a chiropodist varies according to the underlying cause of the pain. In case of a broken or severely bruised toe, the remedy is usually to brace or splint the toe. Certain medications can be prescribed to relieve pain and injections may be administered. X-rays and imaging tests may be performed to determine the cause and severity of the toe pain. Custom orthotics may also be prescribed and fitted to counteract toe deformities or other problems. If your toe pain continues or worsens, it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment options. 

If you’re suffering from foot pain, it’s important to note the locations and quality of your foot pain. Pain can affect any part of the foot, including the top, bottom, side, heel, or toes. The pain may be sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, burning, or stinging, and can come on suddenly or develop gradually over time. 

Pain in the top, bottom, or side of the foot can have many causes. In addition to the type of pain and its location, it’s also important to note when the pain started, what you were doing at the time, and what aggravates the pain. For example, pain in the top of the foot that worsens with physical activity or weight-bearing, that has gradually gotten worse over time, and is accompanied by swelling and tenderness could be indicative of a stress fracture. 

Pain in the heel is a frequent concern, especially among patients who participate in sports, run, or wear high heels. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heels to the toes, can cause stabbing heel pain. The pain is usually at its worst upon taking your first few steps in the morning or after a long rest and can radiate to the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is also often associated with heel spurs, bony outgrowths on the heel bones that can be painful if they poke into the surrounding tissues. 

Foot pain can be caused by not only injuries but also problems with the biomechanics of the feet and underlying health problems, like diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. If you’re experiencing foot pain, please seek the care of a chiropodist near you.