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Did you know that in a lifetime the feet carry an average
person 70,000 miles? That's 3 times the distance around the
world!
Too often we mistreat our feet. It's not surprising that 4
out of 5 adults suffer from foot problems at one time or another.
As the old saying goes, "When your feet hurt, you hurt all
over." Fortunately, most foot problems can be prevented. Be
good to your feet and they'll be good to you.
 Dr. Lynn Heffelfinger can
help you with your podiatric care. Call (815) 625-4790 or (815) 284-1600 to
schedule an appointment with his office.
Read about common foot problems below.
Diabetes and Your Feet
People with diabetes - or poor circulation - must take extra
precautions. An infection could cost them their feet! It is a
fact that diabetics are more susceptible than nondiabetics to
infection. A reason for this is that the white blood cells which
fight infection do not perform effectively when blood sugar
levels are higher than normal. Consequently, when bacteria and
fungi invade tissues, the body's defenses may be unable to
prevent the development of cellulitis (infection of the skin),
abscesses (infection of soft tissue beneath the skin), or
osteomyelitis (bone infection).
Additionally, nerve damage, particularly in the lower
extremities, is a frequent complication of diabetes. When nerves
in the foot are compromised, a decrease of sensation can result.
This loss in sensation makes it difficult for the diabetic to
distinguish between hot and cold, or to realize when the foot has
been cut or bruised. Once the skin has been broken as the result
of an injury, friction, or a burn, infection can set in. Foot
infections in diabetics can progress into major problems if
treatment is not sought promptly. Foot ulcers, gangrene, and even
amputation occur in diabetics as complications of foot
infections.
By following some simple recommendations on foot care, you can
minimize the threat of infections. Read Do's and Don'ts for diabetics (pop-up)
Ingrown Toenails
 An ingrown nail is the
result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it. This
often occurs at either edge of the big toe. Ingrown nails may be
caused by improper trimming, inherited nail deformities,
injuries, fungal infections, or pressure. Ingrown nails may cause
pain at the tip of the toe or all the way to the base of the toe.
In ingrown nail may also lead to infection or inflammation.
Thickened Nails
 Abnormally thick or
crumbling nails may be caused by injuries, pressure from shoes,
fungal infections, or conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, or
vascular disease. Eventually, the nail may loosen and fall off.
Along with thickening, the nail may appear ridged, brittle, or
yellowish. The nail may also feel painful when pressure is put on
it.
Black-and-Blue Nails
 A black-and-blue
nail is usually caused by sudden or repetitive injury to a toe.
This might occur during sports that involve running or stopping
quickly, such as tennis or basketball. The injury may also result
from a heavy object falling on a toe. The big toe is most often
affected. Bruised, broken blood vessels cause the black-and-blue
colors under the nail.
Blisters
 Blisters develop where footwear
repeatedly rubs against the skin. To avoid them, apply a moleskin
pad to protect vulnerable areas. Wash blisters daily, and
don't pop them - you may cause infection. If a blister breaks
on its own, cover it with a plastic bandage until it heals.
Corns and Calluses
 Corns and calluses are
thickenings of skin where shoes repeatedly press or rub. Corns
form on the toes, while calluses are found on the soles and
elsewhere on the feet. Simply wearing shoes that fit may cause
the calluses and corns to disappear but, if the corns and
calluses are painful, see your doctor who can trim, protect, or
treat them as necessary.
Plantar Warts
 Plantar warts may seem
like painful calluses but really are a viral skin infection that
occurs on the soles of the feet. If your "callus" is
more circular than oval and has a crater in the center, it's
probably a plantar wart. DIABETIC PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITH POOR
CIRCULATION SHOULD NOT USE OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS TO TRY AND
DISSOLVE THE WART. If you're not sure whether you have a wart
or callus, let your doctor decide.
Athlete's Foot
 Athlete's foot is a
fungal infection that usually starts in the warm, moist areas
between the toes. It is often picked up in community locker rooms
or shower, and can spread to the toenails and soles. Painful
itching between toes, cracking and scaling of the skin, and
thickening and layering of the nails are symptoms of
athlete's foot. Doctor's care is needed if the infection
persists. Antifungal medication usually eliminates the problem,
but continued foot care is essential to prevent recurrence.
Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot)
 Metatarsalgia is
caused by abnormal pressure, which creates pain in the ball of
the foot. It can come from having a rigid, high-arched foot or
from the spreading of the forefoot with age - both tend to run in
families. Calluses usually form, too. Self-care includes wearing
shoes with lower heels and a thicker, softer sole cushion.
Plantar Neuroma (pain in the ball of the foot plus numbness
between two toes)
 Plantar neuroma is a nerve
growth that often accompanies metatarsalgia. It develops when the
nerve between two metatarsal heads is pinched and bruised -
usually brought on by shoes with pointed toes or be repeated
jolts or blows to the foot. Besides pain in the ball of the foot,
there is a numbness between the two toes. See your doctor if you
have these symptoms.
Hammertoes
 Hammertoes are produced by a
muscle imbalance that cases the end joints of one or two (or
more) smaller toes to bend down, while the closer joint bends up.
The joints may stiffen permanently in this awkward position.
Brought on by the spreading of the forefoot, hammertoes can be
inherited or caused be a nerve abnormality. Where the hooked toes
rub against shoes, painful corns and calluses, redness, and
swelling often develop.
Bunion
 A bunion is an unsightly bump at the base
of the big toe, where the joint angles inward toward the other
foot. Because bunions don't fit most shoes, the skin in the
area can become irritated and swollen. Bunions, hammertoes, and
metatarsalgia often appear together because they are all related
to spreading of the forefoot. Although bunions tend to be
hereditary, wearing shoes with too narrow a forefoot or too high
a heel can bring bunions on years sooner. Sometimes bunions
develop with arthritis.
Soft Corns
 Soft corns look like open
sores but are really soft calluses usually found between two
smaller toes. Caused by pressure from a bony prominence on the
next toe, they are often brought on by shoes that squeeze the
toes together.
Heel Pain
 Heel pain is a chronic
inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament-like structure
that passes from the heel to the forefoot. The inflammation is
caused by the fascia partially pulling away from the heel. A bony
spur - which may or may not cause pain - can also develop here.
It can occur for no apparent reason.
Orthoses - (orthotics) custom-made shoe inserts
Orthoses can help. (See examples) With years of medical training in foot care,
your podiatrist is an expert in treating foot problems with
orthoses. Just as contact lenses improve vision, orthoses improve
foot movement. These custom-made shoe inserts may relieve your
symptoms by controlling the way your feet move. Orthoses may also
help compensate for a problem in your hip or knee that causes
incorrect foot movement. Orthoses come in a variety of materials,
ranging from rigid plastic to soft foam. All of these materials
can be shaped to fit your individual foot. The rigid orthoses
offer the most control of movement, while the softer ones provide
better cushioning and protection.
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