Osteoporosis and Feet

 

Experiencing certain symptoms of the feet can lead your physician to diagnosing several different diseases. An unexplained foot fracture could be a sign of osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease. Osteoporosis often is not diagnosed until a person experiences a bone fracture since the disease is likely to progress without symptoms. Your feet are susceptible to fractures because once the bones are in a weakened state, normal weight-bearing activities such as walking can cause foot bones to break.

If you do have osteoporosis, you should always be mindful of protecting your feet from stress fractures. Shoes or orthotics that provide extra shock absorption can provide extra support for your feet.

If you experience increased pain while walking, redness of the foot or swelling of the foot, it is best to seek the opinion of a physician to diagnose the underlying problem. Be sure to get your feet checked out at the first sign of pain for the best chance of a quick recovery.

 

Image by Eric Schmuttenmaer. Foot Right X-Ray 001. (2006). Flickr.

Psoriatic Arthritis of the Feet

 

Psoriatic Arthritis can be painful when it strikes any of the joints in your body. Let’s take a look at what happens when your feet are affected by this disease.

Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis of the Foot

·         Red, swollen, sausage-shaped toes

·         Pitted or ridged nails

·         Nails peeling away from your nail bed

·         Soreness in your sole or heel

·         Disfiguring bone damage

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to seek a medical opinion. If left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can cause permanent damage to your feet. It is important to minimize inflammation as soon as possible. You can help to do that by wearing shoes that fit and keeping your feet in good shape.

If you suffer from psoriatic arthritis, choosing the right shoe can help to avoid pain. Try a shoe that follows these tips:

·         Shoes that support your heels, arches and balls of the feet

·         Closed-toed shoes for when your toes are swollen and sore

·         Shoes with shock-absorbing soles and a roomy toe

Keeping your feet healthy with exercise is one of the best ways to reduce symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Doing regular stretches can help keep feet healthy and reduce pain. Ask your doctor what stretches are appropriate for you to keep your toes and tendons limber.

 

Image by essers. Monkey Feet. (2008). Flickr.

Changes in Toenails

Changes in your nails can occur for several reasons. Nails can change color, shape and texture.  Here are a few examples of what could be causing these changes:

Blue Nails

Asthma, COPD, severe anemia, exposure to cold or high altitude, peripheral arterial disease

Green Nails

Bacterial and fungal infections

Pale White Nails

Anemia, zinc deficiency 

White Specks on Nails

Minor injury to the nail bed

Yellow Nails

Nail separated from the nail bed, smoking cigarettes, chronic lung disease

Nails that curve Inward

Tight shoes

Deep Pitting

Skin disease; psoriasis or eczema

Ridging

Aging, injury, infection, illness

Thickened

Fungal infection, injury, poor circulation

Any changes in the appearance of your toenails should be addressed with a physician.

Image by Caitlin Regan. Feet. (2008). Flickr.

Injured Toes

 

Toenails are not just there to polish with pretty colors, they are there to protect the tips of your toes and the bones underneath. Stubbing your toe or dropping something on them can cause significant damage.  If you injure your toe and experience pain beneath the nail, it’s because the nail did not provide enough protection. The bones in your toes may be injured, so it is best to seek a medical opinion to see if there are any breaks or fractures.

When injuring a toe, it is common for blood to pool beneath the surface of the nail, which can be painful. The best thing to do is to see a physician who can help to alleviate the pressure. Do not attempt to do this on your own, as the risk for infection is very high.

Sometimes when the injury is substantial enough, your toenail will fall off. This is a natural process. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. Your body sheds the old damaged nail in order to produce a new healthy one. Unless there is serious damage to the nail bed, your nail will grow back over time.

If your injured toe needs attention, please come to our office to see Dr. Vittori.

 

Image by Charlie Schickr. Stub Toe Lane. (2009). Flickr.

Treatments for Swollen Feet

 

Many people suffer from swollen feet and ankles for a variety of reasons. It may be due to extended periods of time on your feet, being pregnant, being overweight, or having other health conditions. Swollen feet can be painful and uncomfortable. Here are some ideas on how to reduce the swelling.

·         Epsom salt soaks

·         Yoga that focuses on elevating the feet above the heart can alleviate pressure on fatigued limbs

·         If you have regularly swollen lower extremities, ask your doctor about magnesium supplements

·         Foot massage

·         Drink lots of water to flush toxins out of the body

·         Ask your doctor about support or compression hose to prevent swelling

·         Cut out salt and caffeine to avoid fluid retention

If you are experiencing frequent swelling with no relief, seek the opinion of a health care professional.

 

Image by Quinn Dombrowski. By Way of Comparison. (2009). Flickr.