These conditions can not only lead to pain but also to significant loss of mobility and quality of life.
Other specialists may be involved depending on the underlying cause.
Bones of the Foot
The foot has three parts: the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
There are 28 bones in each foot, categorized according to their location.
These are responsible for transmitting the entire weight of the entire body to thefoot.
Joints are covered withcartilageand contain lubricating fluids which help the bones glide smoothly during movement.
In all, there are 33 joints in each foot.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitisis an inflammatory injury of the Achilles tendon.
Untreated tendonitis can lead to the chronic breakdown of thetendon, calledAchilles tendinosis.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s footis a common fungal infection that is highly contagious.
It is easily spread, mainly from moist surfaces like locker room floors and showers.
If the fungal gets in and under the toenail, it can cause toenail fungus, also known asonychomycosis.
In the foot, the small joints of the toes and ankles are most likely to be affected.
Obesity can increase a person’s risk of foot OA.
Fractures can range from tiny cracks to a break that penetrates the skin.
Around one of every 10 bone fractures occur in the foot.
Usually, a painful callous will form on top of the second toe.
If a corn puts pressure on nerves in the foot, it can also cause pain.
Flat Feet
Pes planus(flat feet) is when the arc of the foot straightens out.
The imbalance can also lead to hip, knee, or lower back pain.
Between 20% and 30% of people have some degree of flat-footedness.
Gout symptoms occur in episodes, causing extreme pain, swelling, and redness in usually one joint only.
The big toes are most commonly affected.
Symptoms may persist for a week or more.
This, along with an imbalanced gait and faulty foot mechanics, can lead to bony overgrowths calledheel spurs.
Heel spurs, also known as calcaneal spurs, can cause severe pain when standing or walking.
They are most common in people with plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or high arches.
Like with bunions and hammertoes, a mallet toe often happens if youre wearing ill-fitting shoes.
However, it can also be sparked by trauma or some diseases.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgiais pain under the ball of the foot.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathyisnerve paincaused by damage to the outer coating of nerve cells, calledmyelin.
The damage can cause tingling, prickly, burning, or pins-and-needles sensations ranging from mild to severe.
The feet are most commonly affected; walking or standing can make symptoms worse.
Wearing high heels is a common cause of Mortons neuroma.
Its usually related to overstretching.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain in the heel and arch that is often worse in the mornings.
Plantar fasciitis is common in distance walkers or runners.
Pain may be treated with over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).
Severe or chronic conditions like arthritis may require steroid injections or prescription pain relievers like Celebrex (celecoxib).
Nerve pain may benefit from drugs like gabapentin.
Conditions like fractures, bunions, or hammertoe may sometimes requiresurgery.
It can easily be injured, develop diseases, or get infections.
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