Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 31
Your Feet Should Be Your
Biggest Investment and #1 Priority
By Chantell Peterson
M
ost people take their feet for granted and
don’t realize what a vital role they play
in their everyday functions. Feet are
made up of bones, joints, muscles and
soft tissues which make them flexible
so that the human body can not only stand upright but also
perform activities such as walking, running and jumping.
The soft tissues and bones were created to work together
to form a healthy, functioning and pain-free foot. But,
let’s face it, people do not take very good care of their feet. Most
foot problems are due to neglect and improper care. Feet are
delicate entities that support the whole body, and have thousands of nerves at the bottom that correspond to every organ
and every part of the
body. Improper care
and use of the feet
can have a negative
impact on the body’s
organs and posture
and cause other issues such as knee,
ankle or hip pain, and
even worse, low back
pain. So why are the
feet one of the most
neglected parts of the
body?
Seventy-five percent
of people will experience some sort of foot
pain or foot issue during
their lifetime. For this
reason, it is important
that people become
educated on these issues and learn how to
properly care for their feet. There are a multiple number of foot issues and below are a few of them. If you feel you are experiencing
any of these issues, contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Center for a
consultation to ensure you receive proper care for your feet.
Heel Pain
The heel is the largest bone in the foot and heel pain is
the most common foot problem that affects two million
people every year. It can occur in the front, back, or bottom
of the heel. One of the most common causes of heel pain is
plantar fasciitis. Other frequent causes of heel pain include
bursitis, pinched nerves, tendonitis, heel spurs, fractures,
gout, fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. In children, heel pain can
be caused by strain on the heel bone’s growth plate. If heel
pain goes untreated, it will continue to worsen and can possibly contribute to other issues over time.
Bunions
A bunion is a painful
swelling that usually
occurs at the head of
one of the long bones
(metatarsal bone) of
the big or little toe,
which extends from
the arch of the foot and connects to the toes. A bunion begins to
form when the big or little toe is forced in toward the rest of the
toes. This causes the head of the metatarsal bone to jut out and
rub against the side of the shoe. The underlying tissue becomes
inflamed, and a painful swelling forms. Bone growth may occur
at the site of irritation. The affected toe grows towards the rest of
the toes at an increasing angle. Bunions can be caused by a number of conditions such as injury in the joint, genetics, flat feet,
gout, arthritis or narrow high-heeled shoes with pointed toes,
which can put enormous pressure on the front of the foot.
Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a
toenail grows or is pressed
into the soft tissue of the
toe. It usually occurs at the
edge of the big toenail as
a result of shoe pressure.
Even the smallest amount
of ingrowing can be very
painful. Other signs of an
ingrown toenail include red swollen skin, bleeding, oozing pus
and overgrowth of skin around the toe, which are all signs of
infection. The ingrown piece of nail is often unseen because it
is buried beneath the skin. Incorrect toenail trimming can also
contribute to the risk of developing an ingrown toenail. Other
conditions that can lead to ingrown toenails include fungal
infections, injury to the toe, abnormalities in the structure of
the foot or repeated impact on the toenail from the shoe during
high-impact exercise. The best way to treat ingrown toenails is
to see a foot specialist for proper removal and care.
People need to stop taking walking for granted and start
thinking of it like any other physical activity, as something
they can learn to do better. You need to protect and take
care of your feet. If your feet or ankles aren’t working properly or you are experiencing pain, don’t ignore it! Contact
Southwest Foot and Ankle Center at 972-316-0902 for an
evaluation. With our knowledge, patients can expect the
best treatment with the most technological equipment and
advances offered to them.
Remember, Your Feet Should Be Your Biggest Investment and #1 Priority! Call today!!
Contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Center at 972-316-0902
for an evaluation.
Collin County Living Well Magazine • Fall 2014
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