The ABC'S Of Feet Discomfort
Surgery Surgery may be needed for some patients, typically those who have disabling heel pain that does not respond to other treatments for at least a year. A typical surgery is called instep plantar fasciotomy. It relieves pressure on the nerves that are causing pain by removing and therefore releasing part of the plantar fascia. A less invasive method uses a procedure called endoscopy, which requires smaller incisions. Wearing a below-the-knee walking cast after surgery for 2 weeks may reduce the need for pain relief and speed recovery time compared to the use of crutches.
Metatarsalgia refers to pain felt under the ball of the foot. According to the Merck Manuals, it can be the result of nerve injury, poor circulation or a joint abnormality such as arthritis. The nerves may become irritated from repetitive stress or from the formation of Morton's neuroma, a benign nerve tumor. Nerve injury produces a burning pain in the toes and ball of the foot, followed by loss of sensation. Arthritis can affect any joints in the foot, causing a dull achy pain that is worse upon rising and improves throughout the day. Fracture and Stress Fracture
The complete structure of the foot is composed of 24 bones forming a double crossing arch in the foot. There are multiple joints, ligaments and tissues intertwined around each other, contributing to the anatomy of the foot. One of the most important muscles of the foot is the plantar fascia that provides secondary support to the foot. Weight absorbing pads are also essential structures of the foot that protects it from getting hurt while walking or running. Foot pain is an indication of some problems affecting the interaction of internal muscles and its contact with the external surrounding.
Lifestyle plays big role in people having disorders like foot pain in heel. As people tend to wear stylish footwear without considering the consequences for the foot, the risk increases and the possibility of having foot pain in heel or other foot disorders is likely. Take, for example, flip-flops, heavy, hard Footpain fashion sandals and even the latest fashion pointy-toed, towering stiletto. Most flip-flops do not support the foot arch nor provide heel cushioning or shock absorption; the fashionable pointed shoes squeeze and pressurize the foot, and over time could result in debilitating foot problems later in life.
To get at the source of the problem, you have to give your arch some help and support. Try wearing an arch strapping This will add support to your arch. If the strapping does not provide enough relief, pick up some arch supports. You should be able to find them (probably by Dr. Scholls) at a drug store. They raise the arch and shift burden off the heel. By wearing these you also give the fascia a little slack - the arch doesn't have to stretch as far. If the strapping and the arch supports together are not enough, try adding heel pads.
In today's high-fashion world, lack of willingness to give up these types of shoes is regrettable. However, with the use of orthotics for high heels, metatarsalgia can be relieved with consistent wear. It is advisable to choose shoes that have a heel with a less than 2" heel and with a wider-profile heel such as a wedge to avoid future ball of foot pain. If pain occurs at the end of the day, consider switching to flat dress shoes for several days per week to allow the feet some time for increased blood flow which will help feet heal in between wearing higher heels.
Shoes with high heels can create much trouble for your feet. From the narrowing of the toe box (the area surrounding the front of the foot) to the angle of incline, these shoes can do quite a bit of internal damage to feet. First, when narrowing of the feet is forced, as occurs in a high heeled shoe, the mid-foot and toe areas are forced into an unnatural position. The ligaments, tendons and muscles are strained into a much smaller space than what the foot requires. Over time, nerves become compressed, blood flow is restricted to areas of the foot (particularly in the toes) and foot conditions ensue.
