Common Foot Problems

Achilles tendonitis, also known as achilles tendinopathy, is a common condition that causes pain, injury and inflammation in the Achilles tendon. 

Pain and swelling is usually felt at the back of the heel or ankle and it can radiate up the lower calf, and it might worsen when walking, running, or climbing stairs.

There are several possible causes of achilles tendonitis, such as overuse injuries, flat feet/high arched feet, tight calf muscles, or improper footwear:

• Overuse injuries from foot position such as flat or high arched feet is a common cause, as the tendon can become irritated from repetitive strain and excessive pressure.

• Tight calf muscles can also contribute to the development of achilles pain, as they place extra strain on the tendon and ankle.

• Wearing improper shoes or suddenly increasing your training intensity can also increase your risk of developing achilles pain.

If you suspect that you may have achilles tendonitis, it’s important to recognise the symptoms and seek podiatry attention to prevent further damage to the tendon. 

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Book in today to start your tailor made treatment plan.

Do you get a sharp pain just behind your toes that worsens when you stand, run or walk?  You are not alone, this is a very common area of foot pain which can affect common daily activities. 

Common areas that get sore:

• Pain under the big toe

• Pain under or top of the 2nd toe

• Pain in between the 3rd and 4th toes with tingling into the toes

• Callus or corns under any part of the ball of foot

• Burning sensation

• Pain at night with acute swelling and difficulty weight-bearing

We can accurately determine the root cause and prescribe an effective treatment plan for all of them so you don't need to put up with Ball of Foot pain any longer.

Common issues of this condition include pain, inflammation, and redness around the toe joint, generally the big toe joint. In severe cases, the skin may also become hardened (calloused), and the affected toe joint could develop arthritis and a large bony lump which can hurt while walking and wearing shoes. 

To prevent bunions, it’s crucial to choose footwear that provides ample support, width and is comfortable to wear. Properly-fitted footwear can help alleviate the pressure on the big toe bones, preventing the development of this painful condition. For people who already have bunions, there are various treatments and therapies available, including exercises, footwear changes and orthotics to support the foot and improve big toe flexibility.

Hammer, mallet and claw toes are all terms used to categorise the misalignment of the smaller toes of your foot.  Depending on which joint is bending will depend on which toe has the issue. 

There are many different causes of claw toes:

• Inappropriate footwear:

  • Shoes that are too big can lead to your toes clawing to hold the shoe on to your foot;

  • or shoes that are too tight can lead to your toes being squished into the end of the shoe

• Nerve changes from diabetes or some types of arthritis may lead to retraction of the toes

• Compensation for biomechanical issues (stabilising the foot, weakness of core foot muscles)

• Bunions often lead to clawing of the 2nd toe. There are many different treatment options available including both conservative and surgical options.  The underlying cause must be addressed in order to properly manage the clawing. 

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• Treatment options include:

• Footwear changes

• Removal of corns and padding options

• Strengthening of core foot muscles

• Orthotic insoles to support the shape of the foot. 

When you’re experiencing heel pain, it’s essential to get a proper diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment. Musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy, can cause discomfort in your heel. Heel pain typically presents at the medial/inside heel bone area and is most often more painful after rest or first steps in the morning and improves with walking. 

There are various conservative treatments for managing heel pain and plantar fasciitis. We can provide a specific programme including Stretching/massage exercises targeting the feet and heel, customised orthotic insoles to help alleviate the pain and cushion the heel and dry needling to reduce long term inflammation and healing of the area.

 

You do not have to put up with hobbling on sore feet, podiatry can help.