What Is Wrong With My Foot?

Skin Problems

Bottom of your feet
Problem: It feels like you are walking on pebbles
You may have: plantar warts


Heel or ball of feet
Problem: Thick tough skin on the heel or ball of the foot
You may have: a callus, corn, blister or skin growth


Toes
Problem: Red, peeling, cracking, burning, and itchy skinYou may have: Athlete's foot or shoe dermatitis


Toenail
Problem: Red, swollen and painful skin
You may have: ingrown toenail or an infection


Soles
Problem: red, swollen, painful soles of the footYou may have: bacterial infection

Joint Problems

Toe Joints
Problem: rapid pain, redness, swelling, and heat
You may have: gout or an infection


Problem: swelling or bump at the base of the big toeYou may have: a bunion


Problem: swelling or bump on the outside of the little toeYou may have: a bunnionette


Problem: joint pain, stiffness and swelling
You may have: arthritis, lupus, or gout

Numbness or Tingling

Between Toes
Problem: pain, burning, tingling or numbness in the 3rd and 5th toes, or ball of the foot
You may have: Morton's neuroma

Back & Leg
Problem: pain, numbness, and tingling that begins from the back all the way down the leg to the foot
You may have: pinched nerve


Foot & Ankle
Problem: numbness or pain in the foot or ankle, or a weakened foot
You may have: pinched nerve in the ankle or back


Feet
Problem: burning, numbness or lack of feeling
You may have: poor circulation or PAD

If you have any of the above problems, make an appointment with my office for a diagnosis. The above are generalized & does not constitute an official diagnosis.

Citation:
Image by Praveen Tomy. (2006). Pebbles. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/praveenmt/3220243348/

When to Examine Children's Feet

As a new parent, have you wondered when you should start examining your child's feet and what you're looking for when you do examine? Here's a general guideline to get you started.

Birth - Newborns should have their foot and legs examined for any potential problems. Podiatrists look for abnormalities such as clubfoot, overlapping toes, web toes, and extra toes. If there is any limitation of motion or problem, it will be addressed immediately.
4-6 mo - Next evaluation should be done at four to six months of age, right around the time that children are beginning to stand. Podiatrists will make sure that the child is developing normally and will have no problems in the upcoming months learning to walk.

1 yr - Around the one year mark, the child begins to walk. Podiatrists will look for conditions like flat feet, bowlegs, knock knees, leg length differences, and any ankle problems.

Annually - Checkups are essential for proper foot care and prevention of problems. As the body changes and grows, so do the feet. This will help identify and allow treatment of most conditions without letting them get too advanced.

Aside from regular checkups, if a child is experiencing any of the following, make an appointment to have their feet look at right away.

• shoe wear is uneven
• lumps or bumps are evident on the feet
• pain in the feet or legs exists
• tripping and falling occurs
• skin or toenail problems are present

Citation:
Image by 5 flip-flops Earl. (2012). Kaitlin's foot. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pics2enjoy/807017660/

Detecting Foot Problems in Children

Feet and ankle problems often go unnoticed in children. If not caught early, problems can escalate and make treatment difficult. In between checkups, parents can help reduce or eliminate problems by inspecting the child's shoes and feet.

Let's start with the foot inspection:

1. What is the size of each foot? Don't just measure one foot and assume the other one is the same size. Most people have one foot that is larger. Have feet measured at the store, which unfortunately means you have to bring the child with you to the store. 
2. Do you notice any blisters, bunions, corns or spots that are just plain red and irritated? 
3. Do you see any large patches of excessively dry skin? 
4. Give your child a foot massage and watch for signs of pain or cramping. 
5. Make note of any problems that necessitate a visit and make an appointment. 

To determine if shoes need to be replaced and not break the bank doing so, inspect current shoes prior to purchasing new ones.

1. If shoes are snug and too small, purchase new shoes. Shoes that are slightly too big can be worn as long as they will not hinder the child's walk. 
2. What does the sole of the shoe look like? Was it thin to begin with? Is it thinning due to use? 
3. Is either heel loose? 
4. Does the child have adequate toe room? Are there places where the shoe rubs and causes friction against the skin? 
5. Evaluate the child's walk in the shoes compared to how they walk barefoot. 

Depending upon the answers, some shoes can be repaired instead of replaced. 

Citations:
Basson, Kent. Disabled World towards tomorrow. (2008). Healthy Feet for Children. Retrieved from http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/child-feet.shtml#ixzz22z0oUAd8
Image by Gramody. (2008). Feet! Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gramody/2362085621/

Bump On Your Foot?

A bone spur is a bony growth formed on a normal bone. Most people think of something sharp when they think of spur but actually a bone spur is smooth. A spur can cause wear and tear or pain when it presses or rubs on other bones or soft tissues such as ligaments or tendons. Common areas for spurs on the foot are the toes and heel.

A spur is formed by the body trying to repair itself when rubbing, pressure or stress is experienced. Most commonly these occur as part of the aging process. As we age the tissue called cartilage that covers the ends of the bones within joints breaks down and wears away. Over time this leads to swelling and in some cases bone spurs.

Bone spurs can also form in the feet in response to tight ligaments. Activities such as dancing and running as well as pressure from being overweight can put additional stress on your feet. A heel spur can form on the bottom of the foot as the ligament becomes stressed or tight, and it can pull on the heel causing the ligament to become inflamed. As the bone tries to heal a bone spur can form.

Many people have bone spurs without even knowing it, because most cause no symptoms. However, bone spurs in the foot can also cause calluses when tissue builds up to provide added padding over the bone spur. An X-ray can be taken to evaluate whether a spur is causing the issue or not.

Bone spurs don't always need to be treated unless they are causing pain, discomfort or damaging other tissues. Treatment can be directed at the cause, symptoms or the spurs themselves.

Treatment at the cause of bone spurs include:

• Weight loss
• Stretching the affected area if it is the heel
• Ultrasound
• Deep tissue massage

Treatment directed at the symptoms include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Stretching
• Ibuprofen
• Changing footwear
• Orthotics
• Padding to the affected area
• Steroid injection
• Surgery

Citation:

Photo by Debra Roby. (2007). Toe pre-surgery. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/darinhercules/348105594/

5 Tips for Running in the Cold

With winter fast approaching, even though it might not seem that way with the 70 degree weather we've been having here in Chicago, runners will soon be turning to their treadmills instead of facing the cold wind and temperatures. Keep in mind that runners can still run in the cold, they just need to take a few precautions to keep warm and safe.  We do live in Chicago where the weather can change multiple times a day. Don't get stuck in the cold. Follow these tips to keep your feet warm during cold weather running.

• Wear the right socks. I know its tempting to grab your regular old cotton socks, but they don't wick away moisture. Wicking socks are made of fabrics like acrylic or wool.  Use two pairs of socks. Saying Chicago can get pretty cold is an understatement. If it is really cold, wear one lighter sock made of synthetic material and then a thicker wool sock over the thinner sock. Be advised that your running shoes may not fit properly with two pairs of socks. In that case, purchase a second pair of running shoes 1/2 size bigger than you normally wear.  
• Use hand warmers in your running shoes. Put them inside your sock on top of your toes. Once your feet are warm, they can be taken out as to not overheat.  
• Avoid puddles, slush, and snow. Use a little common sense!
• Choose the right shoes. For running in cold weather, choose a shoe with little mesh since that is where water and cold can get through.
• Wear a hat. What do hats have to do with feet? You can lose up to 40% of your heat from your head. To keep the rest of your body warm, wear a hat.  

Citation:
Image by Jennoit. (2008). Winter run. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/benandjenn/2337822453/