If you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it’s possible to either partially or completely rupture it – in this instance, a rupture involves either tearing or separating the tendon fibers, leaving the tendon in a state of injury where it can no longer perform its normal function.
Compartments are groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves in your arms and legs. There is a tough membrane, known as a fascia, that covers these tissues – the fascia doesn’t stretch or expand easily as its main purpose is to hold the tissues in place. For instance, the area between the knee and ankle has four major muscle compartments. Compartment syndrome is most often seen in the calf. However, it can also occur in the other compartments of the lower extremity, as well as in the feet, buttocks, arms, and hands.
Planning on a trek through the airport or a full on shopping marathon? Make sure to wear comfy shoes! Flip-flops and sandals up your risk of tripping and falling (and spraining – or worse! – your ankle) and provide absolutely NO support. The last thing you want is to have feet that can’t keep up with the rest of you!
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. It should be noted that, since there are several potential causes for heel pain, it’s important to have the condition properly diagnosed. A foot and ankle surgeon is the most qualified medical professional to diagnose the cause of your heel pain.
The human body reacts to uric acid crystals as if they were a foreign body or bacteria. White blood cells and other infection fighting cells are sent into the area, which results in inflammatory reaction that can look just like an infection, causing the area to become red, swollen, hot, and very painful.
Have your feet measured! One of the best ways to ensure a proper fit is to know the length and width of your feet.
A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue (often times described as a knobby protrusion) around the joint at the base of the big toe. As the bunion grows the big toe can begin to turn in towards the second toe causing swelling and pain. While it’s true that genetics can play a bit of a role regarding whether or not you develop bunions, wearing too tight shoes is a much more likely culprit. Nonsurgical treatment involves wearing shoes with a wider toe box, taping the toe, or wearing a spacer in-between your big toe and second toe. If nonsurgical treatment is not successful, your doctor may discuss removal of the bunion via surgery.
A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue (often times described as a knobby protrusion) around the joint at the base of the big toe. As the bunion grows the big toe can begin to turn in towards the second toe causing swelling and pain. While it’s true that genetics can play a bit of a role regarding whether or not you develop bunions, wearing too tight shoes is a much more likely culprit. Nonsurgical treatment involves wearing shoes with a wider toe box, taping the toe, or wearing a spacer in-between your big toe and second toe. If nonsurgical treatment is not successful, your doctor may discuss removal of the bunion via surgery.
Feet are pretty darn amazing when you stop to think about it. They are a myriad of parts – including the toes, ball, and heel – that work harmoniously to get you from one place to the next. And, they do it all while handling hundreds of tons of force – your weight in motion – every single day. However, the stress of carrying you around creates a LOT of wear and tear which, in turn, puts your feet at high risk of injury – more so, in fact, than any other part of your body!
