5 of the Most Common Foot Problems And How To Remedy Them

Feet are a very important part of your body, probably even more than you realize. If you have a problem with your feet, you suddenly realize how difficult it is to function without them. If you think about it, our feet go through a lot, and some conditions can become quite serious. Today, Dr. Joel Segalman and Dr. Stephen Lazaroff at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are sharing information regarding some of the most common foot problems they treat. 

Here are a few common foot conditions and how to treat them. 

Flat Foot: Flat foot is a disorder where a person’s foot doesn’t have the arch in the middle of their foot, so the whole sole makes contact with the ground. The condition can cause pain in the foot and extend to knees, calf muscles, hips, and lower back.

While there isn’t a treatment option for flat foot because it’s just the way the foot is shaped, you can keep the symptoms under control by wearing an ankle brace (if there is inflammation), exercising, and wearing fitted insoles. 

Bunions: A bunion is a lumpy joint that grows at the end of the big toe and moves against the second toe causing a bump in the joint. The skin surrounding the bump can become sore and red. It is often caused by wearing narrow, tight shoes or as a result of heredity.

Treatment for a bunion depends on how much pain it is causing. If there is minor inflammation or occasional soreness and redness, applying ice should relieve the symptoms. Using shoe inserts, wearing more comfortable shoes, and padding the shoes may also provide relief. If the situation worsens, you should see a podiatrist. 

Diabetic Foot: Not an obvious disorder, this condition is experienced by diabetics when they can’t feel sensation in some parts of their body like the feet. It’s important to treat wounds correctly especially the feet because they are more disposed to infection.

Athlete's Foot: This is a common, contagious condition of the skin caused by a fungal infection, which is common in athletes. It can be treated by over-the-counter medicines, prescription medications and by soaking the feet in diluted vinegar or salt water to dry out the blisters.

Corns: A common condition, corns are experienced by almost everyone at some point in their life. These painful bumps grow on the bottom of the foot or between toes and can be quite painful.

Corn pads are the simplest way to treat corns. You can also file the corn off or use Castor oil or over-the-counter medications. If the corns spread and cannot be treated at home, you should see your podiatrist. 

If you are dealing with these, or any other problems with your feet, contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman and Dr. Stephen Lazaroff at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC. Call our office today to schedule a consultation; you can reach our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724.