It’s time to give your two feet a hand—or at least a good round of applause for putting up with all of the activities we put them through on a daily basis. Whether it’s supporting us in our new five-inch stilettos or putting up with pounding against the pavement, our feet surely have it rough. It should come as no surprise that at least one out of six people in America complain about foot pain and problems. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, nearly nine out of ten of women’s foot issues can be attributed to shoes that are too tight. ill-fitted shoes are some of the leading causes of foot pain in women.
However, minor adjustments and a little love can keep your feet happy and healthy for years to come. Though it’s impossible to avoid all accidents, a visit to the podiatrist may be necessary in some cases. Here are two common causes of foot pain in women and the 411 on what to do about them.
Bunions and Hammertoe Woes
Creating a red, swollen bump on the joint that connects the foot to the big toe, bunions affect more than half of all women. Some experts attribute this to today’s shoe designer’s lack of compensation for women’s narrower heels and broader forefeet. As a result, many women unknowingly wear shoes that are too tight in the forefoot and too wide in the heel, creating bunions and hammertoes. Hammertoes refer to toes that are bent at the middle joint. Bunions tend to hurt when you walk while hammertoes can cause pain when you put on shoes.
What you can do…
Some women aren’t aware that foot size can change due to factors like pregnancy, injury, and weight gain and continue to wear shoes that don’t fit. Every time you buy a new pair of shoes, try to get a store associate to measure both of your feet for proper sizing. If you have one foot larger than the other, then a smaller shoe for one foot may not fit for its counterpart. You may also purchase protective pads for temporary relief of bunions and hammertoes. However, if the foot pain persists then you may want to speak with your podiatrist, as the only way to truly correct the bony deformity of a bunion is with surgery.
Pesky Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the leading causes of foot pain in women. Plantar Fasciitis is the most common reason women experience pain on the bottom of their heels. The plantar fascia is a long thin ligament that connects the front of your foot to your heel to provide arch support. When too much pressure is put on the foot due to either weight gain or improperly fitting shoes, the tissues can become swollen and ultimately cause foot pain. Most often pain due to plantar fasciitis is noticed on the bottom of your foot near the heel and is particularly noticeable after a prolonged period of sitting or lying down. Though pain usually subsides after a few minutes of walking, the pain can sometimes worsen due to excessive activity.
What you can do…
Typically, more than 90 percent of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis conditions improve within 10 months of starting treatment. For long-term success in reducing pain as well as controlling the mechanics of the altered walking pattern, orthotic management and control is the most effective treatment. Other podiatrist-recommended treatments for plantar fasciitis may include physical therapy, steroid injection therapy, and anti-inflammatory injections. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) also referred to as orthotripsy is also extremely effective in treating heel pain.
Foot pain can really impair your day-to-day life and possibly lead to worsened conditions in the future. If you suffer from prolonged foot pain and are unsure of what may be wrong, you might want to speak with your podiatrist in Boca Raton for further diagnosis.
