Heel Fissures and Calluses

Heel Fissures and Heel Calluses are two common heel issues that start as cosmetic problems, but can lead to serious medical problems. Let’s learn about these two conditions.

Heel Fissures

Heel Fissures are cracked heels. They occur when the skin on heel becomes hard, dry and flaky. Heel Fissures can become painful and the cracks can be severe enough to bleed. They can develop from wearing open-backed shoes or from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Wearing proper shoes and routinely moisturizing feet can reduce the dryness of this condition.

Heel Calluses

Heel calluses develop when one metatarsal bone is longer/lower than the others, causing it to hit to ground with more force than it should. As a result, the skin thickens, resulting in a callus that can be both irritating and painful. Most of the time a physician can treat your callus without surgery. Wearing shoes with proper padding in the heel region will help to reduce the added pressure, which will reduce the severity of the callus.  

If you notice any cracking or thickening of the skin on your heel, see a physician before the problem starts to progress into a more serious issue. 

Image by Quinn Dombrowski. Foot Callus. (2008). Flickr. 

What do you know about a broken foot?

1. The human foot has how many bones?

A. 14

B. 22

C. 26

D. 30

2. 1 out of every “blank” broken bones occurs in the foot.

A. 5

B. 10

C. 15

D. 20

3. There are three parts to the foot. The long part of the foot (forefoot) contains the most bones. True or False?

4. Small cracks that form over a long period of time due to repeated strain on the bones is called what?

A. Tension Fracture

B. Pressure Fracture

C. Stress Fracture

5. Which is more common? A broken bone caused by an accident, or a broken bone caused by the answer to number 4.

6. Are broken bones more common in children or adults?

7. In children, which is stronger? Ligaments and tendons or bone and cartilage?

8. What are the signs of a broken foot?

A. Pain

B. Swelling

C. Bruising

D. All of the above can occur

Check out the answers to the quiz in the comments below.

Image by Valerie Everett. Questions? (2008). Flickr.

Bunion Treatment

Bunions can develop because of genetics, arthritis, leg length discrepancies, or from wearing poorly fitting shoes. Shoes that do not leave enough room for your toes can gradually push the foot bones into a new shape. The unnatural bony hump that forms is called a bunion (at base of the big toe) or bunionette (at base of the little toe). Bunions can be very painful since they occur where the toe bends when you walk. A doctor can confirm your diagnosis via a physical exam and possibly an x-ray.

Depending on the severity of your bunion, he will recommend treatment. Here are some typical treatments:

Pain reliever and/or medication to reduce swelling and inflammation

Heat or ice to relieve pain

Bunion pads, splints and shoe inserts

Correctly fitting shoes or sometimes prescription shoes

Surgery

Some bunions may be the result of another deformity, like flat feet. In these cases, the primary foot problem needs to be treated first. 

Image by andy_5322. My Feet. (2007). Flickr.

Fun Shoe Facts

We all know the importance of finding and wearing a shoe that fits properly. Some good tips to follow are to fit the larger foot, go shoe shopping at the end of the day when feet are their biggest, get sized by a professional, and make sure there is enough room for your toes to move around. Shoes have come a long way over the years. The first shoes were made from animal skins, leather cords, leaves, rawhide, wood, etc. Here are a few fun historical foot facts.

Where did the term “two left feet” come from? Up until the 17^th Century, there was no distinction between shoes made for the left or right foot.

During the 16^th Century, women began to wear such high heeled shoes, that a law was enforced limiting the size of the heels on shoes because of the danger they posed.

Shoes used to be an indicator of class.

In Ancient Egypt, slaves did not wear shoes, commoners wore sandals, and those in higher society wore pointed sandals.

Sneakers were invented in 1917. They were named sneakers by an advertising agency since the rubber soles made the shoes “sneaky”.

Image by YellowBecky. Shoes. (2012). Flickr.

Toenail Problems

Toenail problems extend beyond just fungus. There are an array of nail diseases and disorders that can cause changes in the color, shape, and/or texture of the nail. These changes may be directly related to an issue with your toenail or they can be an indicator of an underlying health problem. You should examine your toenails often, and discuss any changes with your physician. Here are a couple of things to pay close attention to when checking out your toenails:

Has the color changed?

• Do your nails seem to be getting thicker?
• Are your nails splitting often?
• Are your nails becoming brittle?

Here are a couple reasons your nail color can change:

• Green nails can indicate a bacterial or fungal infection.
• Pale white nails can be a sign of anemia or a zinc deficiency.
• White specs on the nail can be from minor injuries to the nail bed.
• Yellow nails can be the result of a respiratory condition.

Here are a couple reasons your nail texture and shape can change:

• Brittle nails that can split vertically and peel can be hereditary or due to using strong solvents, such as cleaning solutions.
• Over-thickening of the nail can be due to an internal disorder.
• Horizontal lines on the nail can be due to any interruption in the protein formation of the nail plate, such as trauma, illness or malnutrition.
• Concave nails with raised ridges can be due to iron deficiency.

It is best to have any unexplained changes in your nails examined by a physician.

Image by andy_5322. Spread Toes 1. (2006). Flickr.

What do you know about Running Injuries?

1. Plantar Fasciitis is:

A. One of the most common causes of heel pain

B. Inflammation in the bottom of the foot

C. A sharp, tight, painful sensation at the base of the heel

D. All of the above

2. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is known as:

A. Achilles rupture

B. Achilles tendinitis

3. Pain along the shin bone is referred to as:

A. Shin splints

B. Band syndrome

C. Morton’s neuroma

4. True or False? If your foot is too stiff to bear the impact of running, a stress fracture could result.

5. True or False? If your foot is too unstable to land in a controlled manner, you could develop runner's knee.

6. This small crack in the bone causes pain and discomfort, and typically affects runners in the shin and feet.

A. Broken bone

B. Stress Fracture

C. Shin splint

7. A small tear in your muscle is known as muscle strain. Runners may feel a popping sensation when this occurs. The best treatment for this is:

A. Continuing to exercise

B. Stretching the muscle

C. Rest, ice, compression and elevation

8. Runners will sometimes twist or roll their foot inward. Accidental stretching or tearing of the ligaments around the ankle is knows as:

A. An ankle fracture

B. An ankle sprain

C. An ankle strain

Please see answers in comments below.

Image by Veronique Debord-Lazaro. What? (2010). Flickr.

Achilles Tendon Problems

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy begins with small tears in the tendon. These can cause no symptoms, mild pain, or even severe pain. As tearing continues, tendon pain may become constant and nodules may form, thickening the tendon.

Achilles Tendon Rupture

Achilles tendon rupture occurs when a sudden, forceful motion stresses the calf muscle. This can happen during physical activity. If not treated, the rupture will cause weakness when you walk.

Achilles Paratenonitis

Achilles paratenonitis is inflammation of the covering of the Achilles tendon. It is caused by overuse, repetative movements or poorly fitting shoes. You can experience tenderness, pain and swelling.

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis 

Retrocalcaneal bursitis is inflammation of the fluid filled sac between the back of the heel bone and the Achilles tendon. This develops gradually, most often from the pressure of the back of a shoe. It can cause pain, tenderness and swelling on the back of the foot.

If you suspect any problems involving your Achilles tendon, be sure to be examined by a physician. 

Image by ouchcharley. Poised. (2009). Flickr.