Bunions

What are bunions? A bunion is an enlarged bone on the side of the big toe that is angled outward. Depending on the severity of the bunion, the big toe may be angled mildly or sharply toward the other toes.

What causes bunions?
Bunions can be caused by :
a. hereditary tendency
b. foot injury
c. neuromuscular disorder
d. congenital deformity (a deformity that is present at birth)
e. loose join movement
f. poorly fitting shoes

Each year, about six percent of Americans have foot injuries, bunions, and flat feet or fallen arches.

How do bunions develop?
Most bunions form as the big toe responds to abnormal pressure on foot joints. For example, your foot may roll excessively inward during walking. Over time, this stress may cause the big toe to move toward the other toes. This, in turn, pushes the big toe joint outward.
Bunions may develop along with inflammatory joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. They also often develop along with other foot problems, including hammertoes, corns and calluses.

Do they need to be treated?
Yes. If left untreated, a bunion can become painful and may even interfere with standing and walking.

Prevention and treatment of bunions
a. Wear roomy and comfortable shoes
b. Wear self-adhesive cushions to ease painful pressure and friction
c. Wear shoes inserts (orthotic devices) prescribed by the podiatrist and molded to your feet to help your feet function better.
d. Medication such as corticosteroid injections and pain relievers may be used for temporary relief of symptoms.
e. In some cases, surgery (bunionectomy) is need to remove the bunion and realign the big toe.

Hammertoes

What is hammertoe? A hammertoe is an arched toe, the result of an abnormal contraction or "buckling" that leaves the toe in a claw-like position. Once stiffened into position, hammertoes rub against shoes and cause painful corns and calluses.

What causes hammertoes?
A hammertoe usually stems from muscle imbalance, but it is often aggravated by poor-fitting shoes or socks that cramp the toes. Often, a foot with a bunion will also have a hammertoe, caused by the bunion pushing the big toe under a second toe that then becomes arched.
Those with rheumatoid arthritis, high arches or a tendency to rotate their feet inward when walking are especially susceptible to hammertoes.

Prevention and treatment of hammertoes
a. Wear roomy and comfortable shoes and socks.
b. Use protective pads or moleskin to cushion skin against painful pressure and rubbing
c. Wear shoe inserts (orthotic devices)
d. Medication such as corticosteroid injections and pain relievers may provide temporary relief of symptoms.
e. Surgery may be needed to correct a severe hammertoe

Neuromas

What are Neuromas? A neuroma is a benign growth that occurs when the nerves in the foot are pinched and inflamed. It is commonly found between the third and fourth toes. Symptoms include pain, burning, tingling or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.

What causes a neuroma?
Abnormal bone structure or tight shoes can cause a neuroma. Women who wear high heels are especially susceptible. Other causes range from foot injuries to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Prevention and treatment of neuromas
Neuromas aren't always preventable, but they are treatable.
a. Wear comfortable shoes - those with wide toes, low heels and soft, thick soles.
b. Wear shoes inserts (orthotic devices) prescribed by the podiatrist and molded to your feet to help your feet function better.
c. Place lamb's wool or corn cushions between toes to ease pressure
d. Physical therapy, ultrasound or medication (such as corticosteroids) may be part of your treatment plan.
e. Surgery may be needed to remove the neuroma.

Corns and Calluses

What are Corns and Calluses? A corn is hard, thickened skin that can occur on the top, between or on the tip of the toes. A callus is similar, but is larger and usually occurs across the ball of the foot, on the heel or on the outer side of the big toe. "Soft" corns are corns that absorb and hold moisture. They are usually found between the smaller toes. Corns and calluses are usually easy to identify. However, if you are unsure about the nature of a growth, see the podiatrist.

What causes corns and calluses?
Corns and calluses are your skin's way of protecting you. Hard layers of dead cells care produced when skin undergoes excessive pressure or friction. For example, where one toe rubs against the other a corn or callus becomes, the more pain and burning it may cause as it increases pressure on living tissue underneath.

Prevention and treatment of corns and calluses
a. NEVER cut corns or calluses yourself. This is a procedure that should only be done by the podiatrist.
b. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes.
c. Use corn and callus "cushions" or moleskin to separate toes and to relieve pressure and friction
d. Rub gently with a pumice stone or corn/callus file.
e. Wear shoe inserts (orthotic devices) prescribed by the podiatrist and molded to your feet to help your feet function better.
f. You may need to have the corn or callus trimmed by a podiatrist
g. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct a pressure-causeing deformity.

Support for your arches
If you have flat feet (low arches), walking may put painful pressure on them every time you step. Even flat feet that don't hurt can be the cause of future problems, such as bunions, hammertoes, pain in the heels, arches, legs and lower back. High arches can also cause problems, including achy feet, heel and arch pain and calluses due to poorly fitting shoes.
Orthotic devices can often relieve the pain caused by flat feet or high arches. Over-the counter products, such as insoles and arch supports, may help ease the pain of a mild condition.
If you experience persistent arch pain, talk to the podiatrist.

About 5 percent of Americans have corns or calluses each year.