6 Categories of Foot Problems

Foot pain is not normal, under any circumstances. Many blogs have been written about various ailments of the feet and ankle. Foot and ankle problems usually fall into 6 different categories.

Improper footwear causes many common and treatable problems. High heels and ill fitted shoes cause physical stress on the skin, joints, nerves, and bones of the feet. Wearing painful footwear long enough will cause small mechanical changes within the foot, making treatment more difficult. Purchase shoes that don’t need a break in period and the feet will be thankful.

The second category of foot and ankle problems is due to arthritis, which involves one or more joints, caused by many different medical illnesses. The foot has 33 joints, which makes it the most susceptible part of the body to get arthritis when the joints become inflamed by fluid. The pain can be unbearable because it bears so much weight and force throughout the day.

Some foot and ankle problems appear at birth and are genetic. These conditions are called congenital problems. Club foot, extra digits, and webbed feet are just some examples. Flexible problems correct themselves over time, but rigid congenital problems require treatment for a Podiatrist.

Who thinks of the feet or lower extremities when they hear the words tumor or cancer? Feet are just as suscible as the rest of the body. Neoplastic disorders result from abnormal growth tissue and can be either benign or malignant. Skin cancer can also appear on the feet. Don’t forget to protect the feet by applying sun screen.

Infections come in three forms; bacterial, viral, or fungal, and can cause foot problems. Athlete’s foot is an example of a fungal infection. Hand-foot-mouth disease is one of the most common viral infections. Bacterial infection such as pitted keratolysis is associated with warm damp feet. 

Last but not least are traumatic foot problems. Fractures, breaks, and sprains caused by sporting injuries or just a plain old slip and fall. Even stubbing one’s toe can be a traumatic foot problem.

Did you know there were so many ways that the feet and ankle could have so many problems?

Citation:
American Podicatric Medical Association. (2012). Foot health. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/learn/FootHealthList.cfm?navItemNumber=498
Image by Amy the Nurse. (2011). Sunburned feet. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyashcraft/5712005292/