The Most Common Foot Injuries: Their Causes and Treatments

Foot Injuries: Overview

The overall structure of a foot comprises machinery that can impress any engineer. A foot is comprised of 33 joints, 26 bones, and hundreds of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to support the overall body weight. This complex structure of the foot may injure due to some reasons. For example, some overwhelming demands from the outside can damage your foot. The most common causes of foot injuries are repetitive movements that many athletes and occupations require to do. As well as this, accidental conditions, direct falling on foot and colliding are the common causes of foot injuries. This article is a detailed account of the common foot injuries and their causes. As well as this, we have also discussed the possible treatments for the given foot injuries. So, lets’ start the discussion here:

Common foot injuries: their causes and treatments

The following are the most common foot injuries reported

Athlete’s Foot

An athlete’s foot is a common injury usually caused by walking on dump surfaces. This disease can be highly contagious. The condition occurs due to a fungal infection of the skin, which usually affects the inner surfaces of the toes. The infection can spread and may result in pain, itching, and discomfort.

Causes

Athletes’ foot usually occurs in the people who are involved in the gym, shower, and pool, where people walk around barefoot. The fungus tends to flourish in damp and warm areas. This is why wearing warm and moist shoes can also cause the fungus to produce and spread. Remember that the infection can also grow in other body areas, including hands, scalp, and groin.

The common symptoms of athletes’ feet are blistering, cracking, itching, and peeling of the foot. Initially, you feel the fungus growing in the fourth and fifth toes, and then it gradually spreads. In severe conditions, you may also feel cracks in the heel or the toe skin.

Treatments

Keeping the feet dry and clean is the most effective treatment to reduce the symptoms of an athlete’s foot. You can also use antifungal products, such as creams or lotions that are easily available in drugstores. When the treatment does not affect, and the fungus spreads continually or worsens, you should consult your GP. Your GP will prescribe oral antifungal medicines to control the spread of the fungal infection.

Bunions

Bunions are described as foot abnormalities that usually cause a bump to develop on the joint of the large toe. The condition can cause the big toe to turn inward slightly. In medical terms, a bunion is called “Hallux Valgus.” Women who wear narrow footwear are at a high risk of developing bunions as narrow footwear increases pressure on the foot.

Causes

The most common cause of developing bunions is wearing narrow and tight shoes. Narrow or tight shoes increase pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joints – where the foot bone meets the big toe bone. Family history with bunions is another leading risk factor for bunion development. In addition, conditions like polio and rheumatoid arthritis are other common risk factors contributing to the development of bunions.

The common symptoms of bunions may include the visible bump on the foot side, tenderness around the big toe, pain when you walk, callus on the bone just below the big toe, and difficulty moving.

Treatments

Healthcare professionals usually suggest conservative measures to lessen the symptoms of the bunions. However, properly fitting shoes or footwear without high heels is also advisable. Wearing bunion pads can also help protect the bunions from extra pressure. Applying ice packs to the bunions can also help reduce inflammation and other discomforts.

Foot specialists or podiatrists suggest wearing custom-made shoe inserts or a splint to help straighten the big toe. When conservative measures do not respond in severe conditions, healthcare professionals may recommend surgical treatment.

Foot Achilles Tendinitis

Foot Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury to the Achilles tendons. Runners are at a high risk of developing Achilles tendinitis when they suddenly increase the intensity or duration of their running.

Causes

The most common cause of foot Achilles tendinitis is an intense or repetitive strain on the Achilles tendons. Other risk factors contributing to the development of the foot Achilles tendinitis may include training choices, physical problems, and age. Some medical conditions may also become the reason for developing the foot Achilles tendinitis.

Treatments

Treatments of the foot Achilles tendinitis may be different, depending upon your condition. However, healthcare professionals generally suggest rest, applying ice, and doing mild exercises as the common conservative measures. However, taking anti-inflammatory drugs and wearing braces for Achilles tendinitis help reduce the symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition causing heel pain. The condition usually occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed.

Causes

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition without any clear reason or cause. Risk factors of developing plantar fasciitis may include tight calf muscles, obesity, high arch, and repetitively stressing your heels as we do in the running.

Treatments

Home treatments, such as resting the foot, applying ice packs, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs, help reduce the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Custom-made orthotics and steroid injections are also prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Stress Fracture

A stress fracture is referred to tiny cracks in the foot bone. Overuse and repetitive activities are the leading causes of a stress fracture.

Causes

Athletic activities, workouts, and some occupations require repetitive foot movements. These actions can cause stress on the foot and, consequently, a stress fracture may happen. Lack of nutrients, previous stress fracture, foot problems, and weakened bones are the common risk factors for foot stress fracture.

Treatments

Depending upon your condition, healthcare professionals suggest nonsurgical and surgical treatments for a foot stress fracture. Nonsurgical treatments may include the RICE method (rest, ice massage, compression, and elevating of the injured area), modified activities, protective footwear, and wearing foot supports. On the other hand, surgical treatment may include the internal fixation of the foot bone.

Buy the best foot support braces

Foot support braces can help you in a variety of ways. For example, wearing braces can help you reduce the chances of injuries, especially during sports and running. As well as this, they help reduce the symptoms of a number of foot problems (mentioned above). Healthcare professionals also suggest wearing foot support braces after surgery as they promote healing. At 360 relief, you can find a wide range of foot support braces to help manage your foot problems.

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