Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

Does your heel hurt every time you walk or stand on it? When you play sports, do you have to continuously call time-outs because of heel pain? When you wake up in the morning, do you experience excruciating pain in your heel? If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a foot spur and need treatment. Foot heel pain treatments vary as to their effectiveness.

Causes of Foot Heel Pain

\"Pain Foot\"

Many different things can lead to heel pain. The first step in foot heel pain treatment is to see your doctor or a podiatrist. Your doctor can determine why you are experiencing heel pain and work with you to determine which foot heel pain treatment plan is right for you.

Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

· Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the fascia (the band of tissues that connects your heel to your toes) becomes inflamed. This can happen from too much jumping or running, arthritis, or wearing poor-fitted shoes. Foot heel pain treatment for plantar fasciitis includes: specific exercises, rest, and/or heel inserts. If the pain is unbearable, your doctor may recommend medication to reduce the swelling.

· Stone Bruise. Something as simple as a stone or rock may be the cause of your heel pain. Sometimes when we step too hard on a solid object, we can bruise the pads of our heels. The foot heel pain treatment for a stone bruise is rest, walk on the ball of your foot, and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The pain will gradually go away.

· Tendonitis. Wear and tear can negatively affect the tendons in the foot, especially the Achilles tendon. When this happens, the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, and pain behind the heel occurs. The foot heel pain treatment for this condition includes stretching exercises, heel inserts, pain medication, (Advil or Tylenol) or wearing open-backed shoes.

· Heel Spur. Your doctor or podiatrist will be able to point out if you have a spur by an x-ray. Causes of your heel pain could include inadequate flexibility in your calf muscles, lack of arch support, being overweight, suddenly increasing physical activity, and spending too much time on your feet. Treatment can involve any of or all of the following remedies as in rest, ice application, stretching, taping the heel for support, and orthonics for you shoes.

Foot Heel Pain Treatment: According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), 72% of people who used stretching exercises to lesson heel pain, had the pain subside. Do not ignore heel pain. It could be an early sign of a variety of serious conditions. That is why early treatment of your heel pain is so valuable. And the good news is, most foot heel pain treatment plans are easy and can be conducted at home. Surgery is hardly ever necessary unless you let it get out of hand.

So, what are you waiting for? Don't let heel pain interrupt your life a minute more. Find the best foot heel pain treatment available by talking to your podiatrist and agreeing on a course of action.

Pain - Foot Heel Pain Treatment for Foot Pain Relief

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Foot Pain Relief Treatment

Ray Attebery is President for The Centre for Pain Relief in New York City.

Treatment For Severe Flat Feet in Children

Flat feet (also known as "prenated foot" or "fallen arches") is a condition where one or both feet do not display a normal arch when standing, walking or running. In infancy, all children appear to be flat footed because of a soft fat pad on the foot. Over time, however, that fat pad dissipates and you will be able to discern a clear arch when the child stands. With flat-footed children the foot may appear normal when sitting, but once weight is applied to the foot, it will roll forward at the ankle creating the appearance of a flat or fallen arch.

Flat feet are usually painless and nonthreatening. Unfortunately, in severe cases, a prenated foot condition may lead to pain or aching in the ankle and foot. If your child complains that they are experiencing foot or ankle pain, it is important that they see a foot specialist to discern the root cause. The doctor can determine if fallen arches are the culprit, rather than more serious hip or knee issues. In some rare cases, flat feet may actually be the result of fused foot bones. A simple X-ray can help determine if that is the case. In some cases, the child may benefit from the use of a custom orthotic insole or heel cup that will resituate the foot and alleviate discomfort. Surgery is not a common treatment for children with flat feet, nor is activity avoidance. Most flat-footed children live very normal lives, playing sports and running just as children with normal arches. Treatment is really focused on alleviating pain, and not permanently correcting the arch itself.

\"Foot Specialist\"

When looking for orthotic inserts to treat your child's foot pain, look for quality which will deliver longer-lasting comfort. Custom orthotic insoles are generally the best choice. You want an insole that will cushion the foot, absorb shock, and transfer to many of the child's shoes for a consistently comfortable fit. There are a number of different insole styles available depending on your child's needs. Consult with your doctor to determine what type of support the child requires.

Treatment For Severe Flat Feet in Children

Treatment For Severe Flat Feet in Children

Chris Dillon is the V.P. of MMAR Medical Group Inc., a leading orthotic device supplier specializing in diabetic footwear including shoes and socks for diabetics as well as a full line of orthotic insoles.

Flat Feet in Children - Diagnostic and Treatment Using Orthotic Insoles

Flat feet in children is usually a difficult condition to recognize when they're very young, since baby fat often hides the true shape of the foot. As months go by and as the toddler enters walking stage, the situation becomes more obvious. As the child ages, it is normal for an arch to appear between 4 and 6 years of age, commonly being developed by walking barefoot on bumpy terrain. This develops ligaments, muscles, and tendons. If a normal arch does not appear during this stage of development, then it could become necessary to look into the use of orthotic shoe inserts to prevent lower body or back problems from occurring later in life.

A good way to test if a foot arch is developing is by using a wet blotter. With this technique, you make a footprint of your child's damp foot on colored paper. Then you check if the foot arch leaves a noticeable gap. It is also possible to do this on a beach, or in a sandbox by looking at the foot impression, however the blotter test is much more telling. Another symptom of flat feet is if the child complains about aches to his or her calf muscles or ankles after walking for a period of time, as flat feet during childhood can cause additional strain on ankles and calves to counteract the deficiency of arches in the feet. In some cases, a child may walk on the outer edges of his feet, and this is often mistaken for bowleggedness, when in reality it is a consequence of over-pronation caused by flat feet.

\"Foot Specialist\"

The excessive rolling inwards of the ankles and feet, also known as pronation, and resulting breakdown of the arches is found in up to 70% of the population. Over a period of time, over-pronation, in addition to foot pain will also cause back problems, and also leg problems. Many people fail to realize how appropriate foot, leg and back alignment are related, and it is important to correct any foot problems such as childhood flat feet to prevent further lower body health complications.

Flat Feet in Children - Diagnostic and Treatment Using Orthotic Insoles

It is recommended to identify flat feet in early life as soon as possible to prevent ensuing complications later in life. It is possible for adults of any age to develop flat fee, though in many cases it is considered as a normal part of aging,. Flat feet may be caused for reasons such as illness, injury, or pregnancy, and can be permanent or temporary, depending on the reason. Being overweight can also cause flat feet in adults or children.

Foot conditions such as flat feet in early life can be corrected to prevent serious complications like plantar fasciitis and avoid damage to ankles, calves, or lower back. A good measure of prevention is through the use of orthotic shoe inserts. A foot specialist (podiatrist) should be able to examine the symptoms and advise proper treatment, which could include orthotic shoe inserts or foot exercises, depending on the severity of the problem. In many cases, standard orthotic shoe inserts products available on the Internet or at retail stores, can provide the needed arch support, without the need for expensive custom-made orthotics or other aids available via prescription.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to flat feet in early life is that early detection can preclude many serious complications to other body parts such as the knees and lower back over time. It is easy to treat flat feet in early life through readily available and affordable orthotic shoe inserts.

Flat Feet in Children - Diagnostic and Treatment Using Orthotic Insoles

Fred Salomon is a foot health care specialist with professional and commercial ventures in the podiatric industry, including foot care products and foot health treatment options. You can find in-depth foot care information and orthotics treatment options at his http://www.footminders.com website.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Sesamoiditis

Pain under the big toe joint can have many causes, although one common cause is unique to the anatomy of the big toe joint itself. Inflammation of two small, unique bones called sesamoids can cause significant pain under this joint. This article will discuss the condition known as sesamoiditis, and the treatment options available.

Sesamoiditis is generally unique to the big toe joint, as this is the only part of the foot where these bones consistently appear. The word sesamoid is used to describe a round or oval shaped bone found outside the usual connected skeleton. Several extra foot bones that appear in some humans are sometimes called 'sesamoid' bones. However, true anatomic sesamoid bones found in all humans are the consistently appearing bones found under the big toe joint. These two small, egg-shaped bones about the size of a peanut M&M candy sit under the big toe joint, and fit within two shallow grooves formed on the bottom of the first metatarsal head, the long bone that forms the first part of that joint. Sesamoids can appear as complete bones, or can form after birth in two or three separate pieces. Serving in an assisting role in bearing weight across the big toe joint during foot push-off, as well as a stabilizer for the various structures that cross over and around the big toe joint, the sesamoids bear a great deal of weight and stress during walking and running. Injury to these bones can happen on an acute and chronic basis.

\"Foot Specialist\"

Acute injury to the sesamoids can happen due to a variety of reasons. These include falling from a height onto the ball of the foot, crushing injuries to the big toe joint, directly kicking an object that forces the big toe upwards, or a direct blow to the bottom of the foot. Chronic injuries to the sesamoids can take place during repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot from activities such as dancing or stair climber use. This can also be seen in repetitive work-related activities, such as pedal use in machinery or platform standing. Indirect force from abnormal pulling of the tissue that attaches near or on the sesamoids can also lead to injury. In general, only one of the two sesamoids usually becomes injured, as injury to both is possible but uncommon.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Sesamoiditis

Symptoms of sesamoiditis can include a sharp pain or dull ache on the bottom of the big toe joint. This pain becomes worsened when the toe is flexed in an upwards direction. Any activity that stresses this joint, including walking, running, and jumping, can cause pain. This is especially true while one is barefoot. Using flat and supportive shoes helps to decrease the the pain of this condition, while high heels makes it worse. The tissue under the big toe joint may feel swollen or full, and may even be warm to the touch in less common cases.

This condition is typically diagnosed during a simple physical exam by a foot specialist, although x-rays may be needed to rule out a stress fracture of true fracture. Stress fractures of the sesamoids can mimic the symptoms of sesamoiditis, and may be difficult to diagnose properly as they may not show up early on the x-ray. Special imaging like an MRI or nuclear bone scan is often needed to confirm a stress fracture. True fractures are typically easy to find on an x-ray, however the presence of a sesamoid in several pieces may not always be distinguishable from a naturally occurring multi-piece sesamoid that is simply inflamed. A physician must evaluate the nature of the line between the pieces to determine if it is a fracture or simply a natural separation.

Treatment of sesamoiditis can be difficult at times, as healing may be slow. The basic treatment course involves removing the inflammation, and reducing the stress that caused it in the first place. Inflammation can be reduced by using anti-inflammatory medications. Icing is also an important part of this treatment course. More direct intervention can be considered in stubborn cases: if no fracture or stress fracture is suspected, a steroid injection can be given to reduce the inflammatory reaction of the bone and its surrounding region. These measures address the inflammation causing the pain, but the underlying stress also needs to be reduced for proper healing. This is made possible by using offloading padding or specialized shoe inserts to reduce pressure under the ball of the foot, or by modifying the activity that caused it in the first place. The use of stiffer-soled shoes is usually necessary, and impact activities must be curtailed during the healing process.

More serious cases may require immobilization in a walking boot or in a cast for up to several months. Cases that simply won't heal with any of these measures may require surgical intervention. Surgical removal of one of the sesamoids is typically effective at eliminating the pain, and is sometimes also necessary when stress fractures or true fractures won't heal. However, it should be noted that most people recover uneventfully and don't need surgery or prolonged immobilization. Dancers and athletes can return to activity once the condition resolves, but with the knowledge the condition may return if stress to the big toe joint continues. The same applies for those with repetitive foot tasks at work.

Sesamoiditis can potentially be a long-term condition if not treated properly and promptly, and is often mistaken for other general big toe arthritic conditions with inadequate treatment the result. This common foot problem is easily treated, although the time to full healing may be somewhat lengthy. By seeing a foot specialist when the symptoms begin, a speedier recover can be potentially achieved, avoiding months of pain and disability.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Sesamoiditis

Dr. Kilberg provides compassionate and complete foot and ankle care to adults and children in the Indianapolis area. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Visit the practice website of this Indianapolis foot doctor for more information.

The Curly Toe - Causes and Treatment

Of the many conditions which result in a change in the shape or position of the toes, the curly toe stands out as a more unique deformity that is treated in a somewhat different manner than a standard toe deformity (like a hammertoe). This article will discuss this unique deformity, and ways to treat it effectively.

Due to a variety of reasons (but mostly because of one's arch structure), the toes can gradually develop a change in their shape over the course of many years of standing and walking. The most common change is the development of the hammertoe, in which the first joint, or 'knuckle', of the toe pulls upward, while the middle of the toe flexes downward. Although rarely painful in and of itself, a hammertoe deformity can allow for excessive pressure from the top of a shallow shoe onto the toe. A corn will develop on the skin where the toe joint is prominent, which can eventually lead to pain. Another change that often develops is a rotation of the little toe towards the toe next to it. Often called a curly toe, this condition is the combination of a hammertoe deformity, and an actual inward rotation of the toe. The result of this abnormal toe position is usually a very painful corn that forms due to the pressure from the shoe on the toe, where the toe bone is now prominent due to the toe rotation. The difference between the corn that forms in this condition as opposed to that of a regular hammertoe is that this corn is less on the top of the toe than it is more along the side of the toe. The involved skin is still the 'top' of the toe technically, but the corn appears on the side because the top of the toe has rotated to the side. In this case, not only does the top of the shoe irritate the corn, but the side does as well. A second pattern of corn can also form along side the outer edge of the nail where pressure from the ground builds up due to the toe's rotation. This corn is often mistaken for an ingrown nail due to it's closeness to the nail edge itself. Removal of the side of the nail in this case will only temporarily relieve the symptoms, as the toe pressure from the rotation will allow a corn to form again despite the nail edge's removal.

\"Foot Specialist\"

The little toe is not the only toe that can curl inward. This can also be seen in the other smaller toes, although the fourth toe (the one next to the little toe) is the primary toe outside of the little toe to develop this. However, this toe does not tend to develop the same sort of painful corn as the little toe, due to the unique position of the little toe on the outside of the foot.

The Curly Toe - Causes and Treatment

Treatment of this condition is fairly straight forward. One either conservatively lives with the condition or one has the toe straightened out surgically. Self-care with gentle filing of the corn with an emery board or pumice stone after bathing can flatten the corn and limit it's potential to cause pain. Taping the toe out of a rotated position has limited benefit, and may actually cause additional discomfort. The use of a wider and deeper shoe seems to give the most benefit by reducing the external pressure on the toe. Padding the toe with gel, foam, or felt pads can provide some pressure reduction, although they need to be applied daily. Topical corn removers should be avoided as they contain skin acids that can potentially harm the surrounding good skin and create a chemical burn on the toe.

Surgery to repair this condition is possible, and is usually quite effective. This fairly simple procedure combines a fixing or straightening of the hammertoe deformity (by removing a small amount of bone near one of the toe joints), as well as a procedure to straighten out the toe rotation. Fixing the rotation can involve plastic surgery techniques to re-rotate the skin back around, or a technique to partially fuse the little toe with the base of the toe next to it to keep it stable and straight. The plastic surgery technique uses various skin incision orientations to effectively push the toe back into a non-rotated position. The fusion procedure removes part of the space in between the little toe and the fourth toe, and then stitches the skin together. Once this heals, the bases of the two toes will be as one. This has no effect on the way the foot functions in walking, and cosmetically is barely noticeable. The end result is a little toe that cannot rotate out of position any longer. Recovery is fairly simple for both the bone and skin part of the procedure, with most people able to return to a normal shoe within three to four weeks. Complication rates are low, and the toe tends to stay in the corrected position for life.

The curly toe deformity is common, can cause discomfort in shoes, and yet is easily treated. Anyone suffering from this toe deformity should see their foot specialist (podiatrist) for evaluation and treatment options specific to their toe.

The Curly Toe - Causes and Treatment

Dr. Kilberg provides compassionate and complete foot and ankle care to adults and children in the Indianapolis area. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He enjoys providing comprehensive foot health information to the online community to help the public better understand their feet. Visit his practice website for more information.