Many types of foot problems can be effectively treated by Prescribing and manufacturing a medical grade custom foot orthotic.
Two of the most common, and painful foot problems are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
Chiropractic manipulation, physical Therapy and foot orthotics are usually effective in treating it.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick ligamentous/fibrous band on the bottom of the foot that is attached to the heel, and runs forward to insert into the ball of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of this ligament band, which usually occurs at its attachment to the heel; however, the inflammation and pain of plantar fasciitis can occur anywhere on the plantar fascia.
Two of the most common, and painful foot problems are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
Chiropractic manipulation, physical Therapy and foot orthotics are usually effective in treating it.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick ligamentous/fibrous band on the bottom of the foot that is attached to the heel, and runs forward to insert into the ball of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of this ligament band, which usually occurs at its attachment to the heel; however, the inflammation and pain of plantar fasciitis can occur anywhere on the plantar fascia.
A Heel Spur is a piece of calcium or bone that sticks out from the bottom of the heel bone, and lies within the fibers of the plantar fascia. When walking, the spur digs into the plantar fascia and causes small micro-tears in the plantar fascia. This produces inflammation and pain in the heel. At times, this pain may radiate into the arch.
The chief diagnostic sign of these problems is pain in the bottom of the heel or arch when first standing in the morning, which gradually improves with walking. This pain may later return with continued walking. The pain usually subsides after a period of rest. Custom orthotics and foot exercise are usually effective in curing this problem.
The chief diagnostic sign of these problems is pain in the bottom of the heel or arch when first standing in the morning, which gradually improves with walking. This pain may later return with continued walking. The pain usually subsides after a period of rest. Custom orthotics and foot exercise are usually effective in curing this problem.
A bunion is a common deformity in the fore-foot. In order for it to form, ligaments and tendons which hold the bones and joints together must be more flexible than normal. This abnormal flexibility is usually the result of a biomechanical foot defect called pronation.
Pronation is a turning outward of the foot at the ankle, so that one has a tendency to walk on the inner border of the foot. When this occurs, we walk with an abnormal amount of our weight being forced on the big toe and first metatarsal. The result is a bump on the inner side of the foot, and a big toe which is pushed over toward the second toe. When flat feet occur along with pronation, the foot becomes even more flexible and susceptible to bunion formation. Bunion development may be hastened by:
• Wearing high heel and/or pointed toe shoes. These types of shoes apply abnormal pressure to the big toe and force it over toward the second toe; they also irritate the first metatarsal head causing a bump to form (when bone is irritated it enlarges).
• An injury to the inner side of the foot or big toe may damage the first metatarsal / phalangeal joint, and speed up bunion formation.
Pronation is a turning outward of the foot at the ankle, so that one has a tendency to walk on the inner border of the foot. When this occurs, we walk with an abnormal amount of our weight being forced on the big toe and first metatarsal. The result is a bump on the inner side of the foot, and a big toe which is pushed over toward the second toe. When flat feet occur along with pronation, the foot becomes even more flexible and susceptible to bunion formation. Bunion development may be hastened by:
• Wearing high heel and/or pointed toe shoes. These types of shoes apply abnormal pressure to the big toe and force it over toward the second toe; they also irritate the first metatarsal head causing a bump to form (when bone is irritated it enlarges).
• An injury to the inner side of the foot or big toe may damage the first metatarsal / phalangeal joint, and speed up bunion formation.
Patients that have a low arch or no arch commonly refer to their condition as flat feet or fallen arches. Fallen arches can cause problems such bunions, callus, corns, Achilles tendonitis, shin pain, severe heel pain, knee and ankle pain.
A symptom to watch for is abnormal shoe wear. People with flat feet typically have shoes that break down the inside wall of the heel counter and the outside of the forefoot area. A good test is to look at your foot print. A foot with a normal arch does not leave much of an arch impression since the arch is mostly off the ground. A flat foot person leaves more of an impression.
The primary cause of an flat feet is over pronation. This can be controlled via insoles. People with flat feet or low arches who have been forced to live with back, knee and foot pain no longer have to put up with pain while standing, walking or running.
A symptom to watch for is abnormal shoe wear. People with flat feet typically have shoes that break down the inside wall of the heel counter and the outside of the forefoot area. A good test is to look at your foot print. A foot with a normal arch does not leave much of an arch impression since the arch is mostly off the ground. A flat foot person leaves more of an impression.
The primary cause of an flat feet is over pronation. This can be controlled via insoles. People with flat feet or low arches who have been forced to live with back, knee and foot pain no longer have to put up with pain while standing, walking or running.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis include inflammation of the Achilles tendon accompanied by sharp pain behind the heel.
This pain is often felt during the first few steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.
It is caused by Micro-tears occurring in the Achilles tendon from excessive and repetitive stretching or from overtraining the calf muscles (doing "too much, too soon".)
This pain is often felt during the first few steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.
It is caused by Micro-tears occurring in the Achilles tendon from excessive and repetitive stretching or from overtraining the calf muscles (doing "too much, too soon".)
Hammertoes the result of deformed toe joints, tight tendons that attach to the toe, and misaligned toe bones. The usual appearance of a hammertoe is a toe bent upward at the middle toe joint, so that the top of this joint rubs against the top of the shoe.
The remainder of the toe is bent downward so that, instead of the entire toe bearing weight, only the tip of the toe bears weight. Pain can occur on the top of the toe, the tip of the toe or in both areas.
Corrective Orthotics are usually prescribed to relieve shoe pressure and pain in these toes or to help the toe lie straight thus alleviating pain and preventing the hammertoe from becoming worse.
The remainder of the toe is bent downward so that, instead of the entire toe bearing weight, only the tip of the toe bears weight. Pain can occur on the top of the toe, the tip of the toe or in both areas.
Corrective Orthotics are usually prescribed to relieve shoe pressure and pain in these toes or to help the toe lie straight thus alleviating pain and preventing the hammertoe from becoming worse.
Morton's Neuroma is characterized by pain, numbness or burning in the forefoot, particularly between the third and fourth toes. Morton's Neuroma, like many foot-related pathologies, arise from a biomechanically unsound structure that has been subjected to excessively repetitive activity. Acute or chronic symptoms manifest as a result of varying levels of intensity. These symptoms impact at the most structurally unstable locations or the "weakest links" in the individual's kinetic chain relative to the repetitive activity. For example, excessive pronation, resulting from poor structural mechanics, can lead to plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or knee problems. All too often, excessive pronation is incorrectly identified as the cause of these problems, when in fact, as has been demonstrated, it is only a symptom.
The real cause of the problem is the foot's inability to align, stabilize, and lock the arch structure prior to heel strike as influenced by restrictive footwear and exacerbated by rigid soles, heel height, and heel flare.
Chronic compression or squeezing of the bones in the forefoot, caused by a restrictive toe box in ill-fitting shoes. Repetitive and excessive collapse of the metatarsal arch leads to compression and irritation of nerve fibers between the toes.
The real cause of the problem is the foot's inability to align, stabilize, and lock the arch structure prior to heel strike as influenced by restrictive footwear and exacerbated by rigid soles, heel height, and heel flare.
Chronic compression or squeezing of the bones in the forefoot, caused by a restrictive toe box in ill-fitting shoes. Repetitive and excessive collapse of the metatarsal arch leads to compression and irritation of nerve fibers between the toes.
Diabetes affects every part of the body, even when the disease is under control. Diabetics have fewer defenses against everyday wear and tear, especially where the feet are concerned. They also heal less quickly and are prone to infection. Diabetes affects the feet in the following ways:
1. The sugar affects the nerves of the feet, causing peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a disease which can produce anything from strange feelings in the feet (burning, tingling, numbness, etc.), to a complete loss of sensation. The lack of sensation makes the diabetic more likely to injure their feet without knowing it. This makes the diabetic more susceptible to infections; fractures which are not felt, and do not heal properly; and severe bone and joint disease which changes the contour of the foot.
2. High blood sugar also affects the smaller blood vessels in the feet causing Peripheral Vascular Disease (P.V.D). This decreases the amount of blood, nutrients, and oxygen that are brought to the skin, fat, muscles, joints, and bones of the feet. This causes tissues to be reabsorbed by the body and it causes an inability to properly heal anything from small cuts to broken bones.
3. Re-absorption of the natural protective fatty pad on the bottom of the feet. This is due to P.V.D. and/or the natural aging process. When the fat pad becomes thinned or completely absorbed, it cannot protect the skin properly from normal bone pressure. This puts tremendous stress on the skin which underlies these bones, and can cause inflammation, calluses, and eventually skin ulcers which may become infected. These problems may become worse without the diabetic knowing it, if peripheral neuropathy is present.
To sum up, the diabetic foot is "at risk," even when the blood sugar is controlled. In my practice, I have found that Diabetic Custom-Made Orthotics will greatly reduce the risk of foot disease. These special orthotics act as a replacement for the thinning fat pad on the bottom of the feet, thus protecting the skin from excessive bone pressure. These orthotics will also gently support the arch and all the bones and joints of the feet. Our orthotics are made of durable, comfortable, space-age materials. They are lightweight, and will fit in most shoes. Custom-made orthotics are the diabetic's "ounce of prevention" that may eliminate a "pound of cure" later on.
Other risk relievers:
1. Examine your feet daily including the tops, bottoms, and between your toes. Look for inflamed areas, cuts, peeling and breaks in the skin, rashes, and swelling. Press on your nail to see if they are painful or ingrown. Touch your feet and make sure the temperature is the same in both, and that they are not cooler then the rest of your body. Test to see that you have good feeling in the bottom of both feet, by gently moving your finger from heel to toes. If any of the above is abnormal, see a doctor immediately.
2. Wear properly fitted shoes, with uppers made of soft materials. The toe box (the area where the toes lie in the shoe) should be deep and wide to reduce pressure on the toes, and the heels should be no higher than 3/4 inch. Seamless socks and shoes cause less problems then those with seams. Always wear shoes and socks; they protect the feet from injury. Do not walk barefoot!
3. Wash your feet daily, with warm water (not hot). Dry well, especially between the toes. Cut your nails straight across, do not dig in the corners (if the skin around the nail is red, swollen, moist, or painful, you may have an infection, see a doctor immediately. Before sleep, apply a moisturizing cream into your feet to prevent dry skin and cracks. Do not use chemical corn and callus removers; they usually contain an acid, which can burn sensitive diabetic skin. And most importantly, see your family doctor regularly to help keep your diabetes under control.
1. The sugar affects the nerves of the feet, causing peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a disease which can produce anything from strange feelings in the feet (burning, tingling, numbness, etc.), to a complete loss of sensation. The lack of sensation makes the diabetic more likely to injure their feet without knowing it. This makes the diabetic more susceptible to infections; fractures which are not felt, and do not heal properly; and severe bone and joint disease which changes the contour of the foot.
2. High blood sugar also affects the smaller blood vessels in the feet causing Peripheral Vascular Disease (P.V.D). This decreases the amount of blood, nutrients, and oxygen that are brought to the skin, fat, muscles, joints, and bones of the feet. This causes tissues to be reabsorbed by the body and it causes an inability to properly heal anything from small cuts to broken bones.
3. Re-absorption of the natural protective fatty pad on the bottom of the feet. This is due to P.V.D. and/or the natural aging process. When the fat pad becomes thinned or completely absorbed, it cannot protect the skin properly from normal bone pressure. This puts tremendous stress on the skin which underlies these bones, and can cause inflammation, calluses, and eventually skin ulcers which may become infected. These problems may become worse without the diabetic knowing it, if peripheral neuropathy is present.
To sum up, the diabetic foot is "at risk," even when the blood sugar is controlled. In my practice, I have found that Diabetic Custom-Made Orthotics will greatly reduce the risk of foot disease. These special orthotics act as a replacement for the thinning fat pad on the bottom of the feet, thus protecting the skin from excessive bone pressure. These orthotics will also gently support the arch and all the bones and joints of the feet. Our orthotics are made of durable, comfortable, space-age materials. They are lightweight, and will fit in most shoes. Custom-made orthotics are the diabetic's "ounce of prevention" that may eliminate a "pound of cure" later on.
Other risk relievers:
1. Examine your feet daily including the tops, bottoms, and between your toes. Look for inflamed areas, cuts, peeling and breaks in the skin, rashes, and swelling. Press on your nail to see if they are painful or ingrown. Touch your feet and make sure the temperature is the same in both, and that they are not cooler then the rest of your body. Test to see that you have good feeling in the bottom of both feet, by gently moving your finger from heel to toes. If any of the above is abnormal, see a doctor immediately.
2. Wear properly fitted shoes, with uppers made of soft materials. The toe box (the area where the toes lie in the shoe) should be deep and wide to reduce pressure on the toes, and the heels should be no higher than 3/4 inch. Seamless socks and shoes cause less problems then those with seams. Always wear shoes and socks; they protect the feet from injury. Do not walk barefoot!
3. Wash your feet daily, with warm water (not hot). Dry well, especially between the toes. Cut your nails straight across, do not dig in the corners (if the skin around the nail is red, swollen, moist, or painful, you may have an infection, see a doctor immediately. Before sleep, apply a moisturizing cream into your feet to prevent dry skin and cracks. Do not use chemical corn and callus removers; they usually contain an acid, which can burn sensitive diabetic skin. And most importantly, see your family doctor regularly to help keep your diabetes under control.
