Pain In The Ball Of Your Foot

Metatarsalgia is a foot condition involving pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot just behind the toes. Pain may range between sharp, aching, or burning. Other symptoms may include pain that worsens with standing, walking, foot flexing, or running and improves with rest; sharp or shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in the toes; or increased pain when walking barefoot. Some patients describe a sensation similar to walking on pebbles. The primary cause of metatarsalgia is due to excessive pressure on the metatarsals, the bones that connect to the toes. Runners and others who participate in high-impact sports are most susceptible to metatarsalgia. Certain foot structures may also make a person more vulnerable to the condition.

Correcting foot problems has greatly improved over the past few years. Today’s newer treatments and techniques include special foot care products, custom orthotics, innovative, less invasive surgeries, even joint replacement. Your feet are not supposed to hurt. When they do, we are available at SHENANDOAH PODIATRY to ease your pain and get you walking in comfort.

For more information visit our website www.roanokefoot.com

Attention avid golfers

Are you ready for another season of birdies, pars and bogeys? If so, you should know about potentially serious foot problems that can result from years of playing the game.

Although golf is not considered a rigorous sport, the physical act of repeatedly swinging a golf club can lead to a condition known as hallux limitus, a jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint. The movement and weight transfer that occur during the swing's follow through can cause this problem and other chronic foot ailments.
When golfers follow through, they can overextend the big toe joint on their back foot. Those who have played the game for several years eventually can wear out the cartilage or jam the big toe joint. The likely outcome, if left untreated, is painful arthritis in the big toe, which would make it very difficult to continue playing.

If you have pain and swelling around the big toe joint or have less mobility in this area than other parts of the foot, schedule an appointment for an examination. A history of trauma to the big toe area and bone structure also can precipitate the condition. Individuals with a long first metatarsal bone (big toe), for example, are more susceptible to joint compression and hallux limitus. In most situations, orthotics can be prescribed to provide relief, but advanced cases may require surgery.

Check Those Golf Shoes!

Another foot problem that is common in golfers is a neuroma or pinched nerve at the bottom of the foot. The weight transfer to the front foot that occurs in the follow through applies pressure that, over time, can cause a pinched nerve. Wearing shoes that have a spike located directly beneath the ball of the foot can worsen the problem. Also, pressure from that single spike, magnified by the several thousand steps taken during an average round, can cause intense pain and swelling in the ball of the foot. Your golf shoes can be made more foot-friendly, without sacrificing traction, simply by removing poorly located spikes.

For more information visit our website www.roanokefoot.com

Black Toenails

Do you have a long-distance runner in your circle of family and friends? If so, you may have seen an occasional black toenail. Common among marathoners and other athletes, black toenails occur when the top of the toenail continuously bangs against the running shoe and causes bruising under the nail. Black toenails rarely cause pain or discomfort, except for possibly preventing a person from wearing open-toed shoes. But the bruising does create a environment that encourages fungal infections under the toenail. Trimming the affected nail and applying an anti-fungal/antibacterial medication can prevent infection. Diabetics need too pay careful attention to toenails that darken suddenly as it could be a sign of a diabetic complication.

Feet seem especially susceptible to nail problems of all kinds, including black toenails and fungal infections. It might be because of the trauma they endure in shoes, or all the time they spend in dark,moist places, or perhaps just lack attention. Whatever the cause, your podiatrist is well-equipped to help provide the cure, from medication to surgery. When your feet hurt, don't take another step until you see SHENANDOAH PODIATRY for family foot care. Same day appointments are often accommodated.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. To prevent black toenails, choose properly fitting shoes and stretch calf muscles to decrease the impact of toes hitting the shoe when running.

Reflexology

Therapeutic reflexology, a popular therapy around the world, involves massaging the nerve endings of the feet to reduce stress and tension and promote healing in other areas of the body. The practice is based on the ideas that our body parts are reflected in the feet, with the front of the body on the sole of the feet and the back of the body on tops. For example, massaging the toes can help relieve headaches and other symptoms in the head. Massaging the anklebone can help with hip problems. The feet have always played an important role in healing, and reflexology dates back to 2500 BC. Some podiatric offices are now hiring therapeutic reflexologists as a complementary service.

It's always a good idea to listen to your feet, as they often have lots to tell you, including giving you clues about the rest of your body's well-being. When your feet tell you there's trouble somewhere, as your podiatrist, SHENANDOAH PODIATRY will work as a team with you, and other healthcare providers if appropriate, to keep you and your feet healthy and pain free. Feet that feel good make the rest of you feel good, too, so why not give us a call and start the process today.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. Eunice Ingham is widely recognized as the grandmother of modern reflexology for transforming its theory into a practical therapy.