9 Common Foot Problems
If you have been dealing with pain and discomfort or other symptoms around your feet and ankles, consider visiting a foot doctor like Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute. Whether the cause is a minor inconvenience or a major health issue, the team at Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute is here to help! Here is a look at some of the most common foot problems we deal with.
Common Foot Problems
Ingrown Toenails
When the toenail grows into the skin instead of outward like normal, it can lead to infection and pain. The team at Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute can relieve the irritation by removing the ingrown toenail.
Fungus
Fungus is a condition that affects the toenail and surrounding skin, indicated by the thickening and yellowing of the nail. The nail becomes difficult to trim and looks different than the other toenails. Though this condition doesn’t usually cause pain, it can develop into a more serious issue if not dealt with by a foot doctor, damaging the skin and deteriorating the health of your feet.
Hammertoes
“Hammertoes” refer to toes bent at the first joint. Individuals with hammertoes may experience pain along the toe and elsewhere on the foot, from strain and pressure on the bone while walking, running, and even standing. Our doctors can correct this positioning through specialized shoe inserts to help you get relief and prevent future issues. Surgery may be recommended for serious cases.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses—thick, hardened skin on areas of the foot that are frequently exposed to friction— often occur due to poorly fitting shoes or standing for long periods of time. This issue becomes more prevalent as people get older because the skin becomes more sensitive to friction. The team at Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute will treat the condition with the most effective materials, and provide the treatments needed to help prevent a reoccurrence.
Bunions
A bunion is a bump that develops on the joint of the foot along the big toe. Some of the bones move out of their normal place. It can be caused by an injury to the foot, natural deformities, or from genetics. Some experts believe that wearing shoes that are too narrow or high heels can lead to bunions. When you see a foot doctor at Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute, they will guide you to the best shoe inserts, padding, and medications to help you get relief. Like for hammertoes, surgery may be recommended if the case is particularly painful or severe.
Heel Pain
One of the most common foot problems for people of all ages is heel pain. It can happen as the result of an injury or from overuse. As a person ages, the foot structure can develop issues, which lead to pain in the heels. A notable cause is plantar fasciitis, which is caused by overuse, obesity, walking barefoot too much, standing for long periods, and aging.
Tendinitis in the Achilles can lead to heel pain as well. This is inflammation that can be caused by an injury or by overuse. A consultation with one of our professionals will help you identify the causes of your heel pain and determine the best plan of action to heal quickly and prevent heel pain in the future.
Poor Circulation
Poor circulation in the feet can be caused by various issues. One of the most common is diabetes— nerve damage due to diseases like this can lead to serious problems throughout the legs and feet. Don’t put off seeing a doctor for help if you are experiencing frequent tingling or numbness in your feet! If left untreated, you could experience irreparable damage to the feet.
Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers occur most often in diabetic patients. They are open wounds that fail to heal. If you develop a painful foot ulcer, which usually happens on the bottom of the foot, you may find it difficult or impossible to walk. We will help keep the area clean and monitor it for further infection. Our team provides ongoing diabetic foot care to prevent these health problems and shorten the recovery time when they occur.
Choose Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute for Your Foot Doctor
If you’re suffering from foot pain, schedule an appointment with a foot doctor. Even if the pain is minimal but won’t go away, you should have a diagnosis. Sometimes, pain in the foot can indicate a more serious condition or injury.
Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute uses a team approach to help you recover quickly. Our podiatric surgeon partners with primary care doctors and rehab specialists to develop a treatment plan to get you back on your feet. We use both minimally invasive treatments and surgical procedures to get results.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or check out our services. Let Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute help you enjoy life more on your own two feet!