 Our Feet
By Dr. Ronald Hull
Though they are further away from our brain than any other body part, it’s important to remember our feet and give them the respect and care that they deserve. Each foot has 26 bones which when walking must support 1.5 times our body weight. We walk about 1000 miles per year. The muscles and tendons move our feet and the ligaments that hold the bones together provide stability and support.
Bunions are an enlargement of the bone at the base of the big toe and can become very painful. They are often inherited but can also be associated with faulty biomechanics and can be aggravated by the type of shoe that we wear. Hammertoes are an abnormal curvature or contracture of a toe, which can result in a painful corn on the top or on the tip of the toe. An important treatment for both hammertoes and bunions is to wear a properly sized shoe that conforms to the shape of your foot. Sometimes padding and anti-inflammatory medication will help. Surgery is an option for both bunions and hammertoes, should conservative care fail. Ingrown nails are an abnormal curvature of a nail, which results in pain and inflammation along the side of the nail. These can be the result of tight shoes, injury, disease of the nail or improper nail care. Treatment includes trimming/removing the abnormal part of the nail as well as proper fitting shoes.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a ligament-like structure that supports the arch of the foot. It can become inflamed as a result of poorly supportive shoes, excessive periods of weight bearing and weight gain. Pain will occur in the bottom of the heel or along the inside of the arch and is often most painful when getting out of bed in the morning. Treatment often includes stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, night splints, supportive shoes and arch supports. For the few people that these treatments aren’t successful, surgery is also an option.
Choosing the proper shoe is key to avoiding and treating most foot problems. Even if surgery is indicated, choosing a proper shoe after the surgery will help avoid a recurrence of the problem or the development of another problem. Again, choosing a shoe with a shape that is complimentary to your foot is recommended. A lot of foot pain is due to poorly supportive shoes. When evaluating a shoe, look for a firm heel counter, which is the area behind the heel. The shoe should not flex or twist in the arch area and the heel should be slightly higher than the ball of the foot. The number inside the shoe indicating the size should be used as a guide. If the shoe feels to tight or too loose when you try it on, try on a different size. If your feet swell, it’s better to buy your shoes later in the day and wear the same type of hose when trying on the shoe that you will be wearing when you will be actually wearing the shoe. There should be about ½ inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe and plenty of room in the toe area. Pick a shoe store will that employs sales associates trained in proper shoe fitting and has a reasonable return or exchange policy.
Remember: When your feet feel good, your whole body feels good.
Ronald Hull is a podiatrist at Bay Valley Medical Group, which offers multi-specialty services and has offices in Hayward, Castro Valley, Danville and Pleasanton. Dr. Hull is located at Bay Valley Medical Group offices in Hayward, 510-785-5000 and Castro Valley, (510) 581-2559.
The Hayward Daily Review, August 2007 |
