Why do my feet hurt?

Why do my feet hurt?
"When your feet hurt, your whole body hurts." -Socrates.

If you have experienced foot pain in your lifetime, you
know this statement to be true. The human foot is complex.
It contains 26 bones (the two feet contain one quarter of
all the bones in the human body), 33 joints, and over 100
tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Foot ailments are among
the most common of our health problems. Although some can
be traced to heredity, many occur from the cumulative
effect of years of abuse and neglect. The average person
walks 115,000 miles (the equivalent of more than 4 ½ times
around the world) during their lifetime. Studies show that
75% Americans experience some type of foot pain during
their life, yet many do not seek medical treatment because
they believe that foot pain is a normal part of life. Pain
typically is a sign that body is telling us that there is
something wrong, and therefore, should not be ignored.

Heel pain is one of the most common ailments of the foot in
adults. The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and
is the first part of the foot to contact the ground during
the gait cycle. A fibrous band of tissue called the plantar
fascia attaches to the bottom of the heel bone and acts as
a shock absorber for the foot and arch. Poor mechanics of
the foot, engaging in strenuous activities (especially
running), obesity, standing for long periods of time, and
wearing shoes that do not offer enough support cause
inflammation along the plantar fascia. This results in pain
that is typically more severe in the morning or at the end
of the day after prolonged activity. Heel pain can usually
be treated successfully with conservative measures. Adding
an arch support to your shoe, stretching, and icing are
some of the things one can do to alleviate pain. If
symptoms persist, a podiatrist may recommend custom molded
arch supports (orthotics), prescribe medications,
administer cortisone, as well as other forms of treatment.
Heel pain can be relieved in most cases following such a
treatment regimen. Patients that do not respond to
conservative measures may be candidates for a technological
breakthrough. A new procedure called Podiatherm helps
relieve pain by blocking the sensation of pain from the
nerves around the heel pain. It is performed under local
anesthesia and during a single, fifteen minute office
visit. There are no restrictions afterwards.

Another common cause of foot pain is bunions, which are
painful bumps on the big toe joint. Bunions worsen over
time and cause redness, tenderness and pain along the big
toe joint. Initially, focus should be in modifying one's
shoe styles to relieve pain. Narrow-toed shoes and high
heels should be discarded for more supportive, wider shoes.
If symptoms do not improve, padding may help relieve some
of the pain. If a bunion continues to cause discomfort, a
surgical procedure called a bunionectomy may be performed.
In most cases (depending on the severity of the bunion),
patients may walk in a special shoe after surgery and
return to tennis shoes after 4 weeks.

As stated earlier...when your feet hurt, your whole body
can hurt. In many cases, foot problems are due to poor foot
mechanics. Poor foot mechanics coupled with a change in
your gait to offset pain can lead to lower leg pain, knee
pain, or back pain. Foot pain is not normal and should not
be accepted as a way of life.

Some foot health tips are as follows:

1. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity you are
engaged in (for example, running shoes for running).
2. Trim your nails straight across. Be careful to not cut
too far back on the sides as this may lead to an ingrown
nail.
3. If you are diabetic, it is important to check your feet
daily and see a physician at least once a year for a check
up.
4. Alternate shoes-don't wear the same pair of shoes
everyday.
5. Running shoes should be changed every 300-500 miles.
6. If you have foot pain or are diabetic, avoid going
barefoot.
7. Make sure your shoes fit properly. Purchase shoes later
in the day when feet tend to be larger due to swelling.
8. Walking is a great exercise for your heart and your feet.

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Dr. Jaryl Korpinen of Premier Foot and Ankle is a Foot and
Ankle Specialist in Plano and McKinney, Texas. He has
appeared on television and radio programs to discuss
various foot and ankle conditions.
http://www.premierfootankle.com