Many things have been negatively affected by the pandemic and foot and ankle health is no exception. Being confined for several months to their homes, many people adopted a casual attitude about footwear. Unfortunately, walking around barefoot or in stocking feet for prolonged periods of time can be bad for your feet, particularly if you have arthritis. People who have arthritis and walk regularly can add stress to the joints which are already inflamed and irritated from arthritis. Without support from shoes, the fat pads on the bottom of the feet that are referred to as shock absorbers can get worn down putting further pressure on joints. Additionally, conditions that often develop from having arthritis such as plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, bone spurs, and bunions can intensify from walking barefoot. Those with arthritis can consult with a chiropodist who can treat their symptoms while offering preventative measures to take to avoid making their condition worse.
Osteoarthritis in the feet or ankles can be a painful and disabling condition that may interfere with your daily activities. If you have arthritis, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the protective layer of cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. This loss of cartilage causes the bones to rub together during movement, leading to pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is associated with aging, and often affects the small joints of the feet and ankles.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Swelling in or around the joint
Restricted range of motion
Difficulty walking
Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed through physical examination. You may also need to have an X-ray taken to assess the extent of the damage caused by arthritis.
Treatment
Treatment for osteoarthritis focuses on reducing symptoms and improving the function of the affected joints. Conservative treatments include oral pain medications, orthotic devices, bracing or immobilizing the affected foot or ankle, steroid injections into the affected joint to reduce inflammation, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs
Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.
Many people suffer from cracked heels. Despite all our heels do for us, it is easy to forget to take care of our them. Medically, cracked heels are known as heel fissures or regular linear cut wounds that appear on the surface of the skin. Besides being unattractive, cracked heels can become painful and start to bleed if not tended to. This condition can result from dry skin and footwear that does not fit well or have enough cushioning. Additionally, walking improperly, and being overweight may contribute to the onset of cracked heels. This ailment is more common in senior citizens and those who are on their feet a lot. To avoid complications of cracked heels, it is important to treat them as soon as they are noticed, and it is wise to prevent them from happening in the first place. In general, keep feet clean and dry, moisturize regularly, do not go barefoot, wear properly fitted closed shoes, and keep hydrated. If attempting to take care of cracked heels on your own, avoid picking at or peeling the dead skin as this can make it worse or lead to infection. It is best to consult with a chiropodist who can better help you safely treat this condition and provide suggestions for preventing this from happening again.
Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, can cause pain and discomfort. If your cracked heels are bothering you, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Dry, thickened skin around the rim of the heel is typically the first sign of cracked heels. While this condition is common and usually just a nuisance, some cases can be more severe. If left untreated and as more pressure is placed on the heel, the cracks become deeper and eventually walking and standing can be painful. These deep cracks or fissures can bleed and also become infected. Those with diabetes need to be especially careful as fissures could lead to diabetic foot ulcers.
Causes
Cracked heels can be the result of several different factors, including:
Dry skin
Taking long, hot showers or using harsh soaps
Standing for long periods of time
Walking barefoot
Walking in shoes with an open back, such as sandals or flip flops
Wearing shoes that do not fit properly
Living in a cold or dry climate
Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis
Treatment
There are many at-home treatment remedies for cracked heels. Applying moisturizers to the heel can help hydrate the skin. Soaking your feet in warm water and exfoliating them with a loofah or pumice stone can help to buff away dead skin cells. If you are afflicted with cracked heels, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment.
Prevention
You can prevent cracked heels by:
Avoiding standing in one position for prolonged periods of time
Wearing well-fitted shoes with a closed back
Washing your feet with gentle soaps and lukewarm water
Moisturizing the feet daily
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
There are many people throughout the world that stand for the majority of the day. Frequently moving about can help to promote blood circulation to the feet, and performing simple foot stretches can help the feet to feel better. It is important to wear shoes that fit properly and to also stand on a stress mat, which can both help make standing all day more manageable and healthy for the feet and overall body. An effective stretch to strengthen the feet is done by using a foot roller. This can help to increase the strength in the arches, and may help to reduce the risk of developing plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Many people who stand while working find it helpful to perform ankle rotations several times per day, in addition to wearing compression socks which can help to support the legs. If you would like more information about the benefits of stretching while standing all day, please speak with a chiropodist.
If you stand all day, you may be at an increased risk of developing various foot conditions. If you are experiencing foot pain of any kind, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Foot Problems Are Caused by Standing?
Standing all day at work may increase your risk of developing foot or ankle problems.
Some common foot conditions that may arise from spending all day on your feet include:
Foot pain
Blisters
Corns and calluses
Arthritis
Flat feet
Bunions
Sprains
Athlete’s foot
Prevention
If you stand for prolonged periods of time for work, taking preventative measures to preserve the health of your feet is strongly recommended.
Measures you can implement to help prevent foot problems include:
Wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit well - these shoes should be made of breathable materials and provide you with arch support and cushioning. It is best to avoid shoes that have heels or narrow toe boxes.
Taking breaks to rest, walk, and stretch your feet throughout the day
Maintaining good foot hygiene - wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
