When the simple task of walking is hindered by a persistent, intense pain radiating from the bottom of the foot, the culprit is oftentimes a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
It's a common ailment, affecting an estimated 2 million patients in the United States each year and it's much more than simply dealing with a little foot pain. The pain can be severe enough to hobble an individual, negatively impacting his or her quality of life, especially if he or she is normally active. It can appear in one foot or both feet. It affects anyone, from professional athletes like Albert Pujols (baseball), Pau Gasol (basketball) and Antonio Gates (football), to weekend warriors and everyday people.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia - the bow-like tissue on the bottom of the foot - is damaged or torn resulting in inflammation, pain and stiffness. Continued physical activity and prolonged weight bearing can cause further aggravation. While damage to the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis, the ailment can actually develop without reason. There are, however, factors that can make an individual more prone to the condition including:
• Age (the elderly are more at risk for foot ailments)
• Tighter calf muscles that make it difficult to flex the foot
• Weight gain/obesity
• Pregnancy
• Gender (women are more prone than men)
• Possessing a very high arch
• Repetitive impact activity (running/sports/high-impact aerobic exercise, etc.)
• New or increased activity
• Improper footwear
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis clearly distinguish it from simple foot pain. The most common complaint from plantar fasciitis is a burning, piercing, or aching pain in the heel that lasts for about 30 days or longer. It also features increased pain in the morning or after extended periods of sitting. Fortunately for most sufferers, the accompanying stiffness and pain tends to loosen throughout the day.
There are a variety of treatments, surgical and non-surgical, available to help ease the pain and frustration of this aggravating foot ailment. Those treatments include the use of anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and/or Aleve or utilizing custom-made orthotic devices, boots, braces or splints that provide support for the foot.
Rest, icing and stretching exercises at home are also recommended. If those tactics don't provide favorable results and some measure of relief, there are surgical options that remove or release the affected portion of the tissue responsible for the pain. Most people will be able to return to normal function a few weeks after surgery.
For more information, visit http://www.baycare.net.
BayCare Clinic, http://www.baycare.net, is the largest physician-owned specialty-care clinic in Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With its 100-plus physicians, BayCare Clinic offers expertise in more than 20 specialties, serving clinical locations in 13 regional communities. Based in Green Bay, Wis., BayCare Clinic is a joint partner in Aurora BayCare Medical Center.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9212585
Thứ Tư, 24 tháng 2, 2016
Signs That It's Time to See a Podiatry Specialist
From everyday scuff-ups to chronic diseases, here are some situations where it might be useful to consult an expert.
Bunions
Bunions are unsightly bulges at the big toe's base that are caused when the bone or joint is out of place. If left untreated, they can become more and more irritating and painful, interfering with footwear and leading to greater injury. A podiatry specialist can provide a treatment plan such as wrapping and padding, or in extreme cases, perform surgery to remove the bunion.
Ingrown Toenails
A scarlet toe with a lot of fluid drainage may indicate infection from an ingrown toenail, which is when part of the nail grows into the tissue of the toe. A podiatrist can provide treatment, prescribe antibiotics, and if needed, remove a portion or the entire offending nail.
Athlete's Foot
Although sometimes treatable with over-the-counter medication, this common fungal infection on the bottom of the feet and/or between the toes can become severely itchy and painful. It causes dry, scaly skin and possibly even oozing cracks. If it refuses to go away, it's time to see a podiatry specialist. Prescription creams and pills are usually effective though antibiotics may help in certain cases.
Sprains and Strains
Swelling, redness, and pain following a foot or ankle injury are indications that there might be a sprain, stretch, or tear in a ligament or muscle. See a podiatry expert if after three days the pain and swelling have not decreased, and it remains difficult to walk. He or she can make a cast for the particular area of the foot or leg and advise on home care. In severe cases, the podiatrist may have to perform surgery.
Arthritis
Joint pain in the feet or ankles might be caused by arthritis, a catch-all name for ailments that restrict mobility and cause minimal-to-crippling discomfort in the joints. Although most forms of the disease are not curable, a podiatrist can help with foot/ankle arthritis by offering advice on ways to minimize the pain, maximize joint movement, and continue to pursue work and hobbies with as little pain as possible. It's important to see a specialist when it comes to arthritis. Over time, this condition can change the functionality of the area it affects and cause permanent damage.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are at the top of the list of those who would benefit from regular check-ups with a podiatry specialist. In fact, an annual ankle/foot examination is advised. Diabetes patients suffer from much higher rates of foot problems, ranging from pesky dry skin to amputation. The latter is so common among people with diabetes because they often have peripheral arterial disease, which limits blood flow to the feet, and nerve damage, which limits foot feeling. Together, they're a deadly combo that allows normally harmless phenomena like ulcers to get severely infected faster and without being noticed until it's too late.
When considering Hagerstown podiatry, residents visit Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center. Learn more at http://robinwoodortho.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9288312
Bunions
Bunions are unsightly bulges at the big toe's base that are caused when the bone or joint is out of place. If left untreated, they can become more and more irritating and painful, interfering with footwear and leading to greater injury. A podiatry specialist can provide a treatment plan such as wrapping and padding, or in extreme cases, perform surgery to remove the bunion.
Ingrown Toenails
A scarlet toe with a lot of fluid drainage may indicate infection from an ingrown toenail, which is when part of the nail grows into the tissue of the toe. A podiatrist can provide treatment, prescribe antibiotics, and if needed, remove a portion or the entire offending nail.
Athlete's Foot
Although sometimes treatable with over-the-counter medication, this common fungal infection on the bottom of the feet and/or between the toes can become severely itchy and painful. It causes dry, scaly skin and possibly even oozing cracks. If it refuses to go away, it's time to see a podiatry specialist. Prescription creams and pills are usually effective though antibiotics may help in certain cases.
Sprains and Strains
Swelling, redness, and pain following a foot or ankle injury are indications that there might be a sprain, stretch, or tear in a ligament or muscle. See a podiatry expert if after three days the pain and swelling have not decreased, and it remains difficult to walk. He or she can make a cast for the particular area of the foot or leg and advise on home care. In severe cases, the podiatrist may have to perform surgery.
Arthritis
Joint pain in the feet or ankles might be caused by arthritis, a catch-all name for ailments that restrict mobility and cause minimal-to-crippling discomfort in the joints. Although most forms of the disease are not curable, a podiatrist can help with foot/ankle arthritis by offering advice on ways to minimize the pain, maximize joint movement, and continue to pursue work and hobbies with as little pain as possible. It's important to see a specialist when it comes to arthritis. Over time, this condition can change the functionality of the area it affects and cause permanent damage.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are at the top of the list of those who would benefit from regular check-ups with a podiatry specialist. In fact, an annual ankle/foot examination is advised. Diabetes patients suffer from much higher rates of foot problems, ranging from pesky dry skin to amputation. The latter is so common among people with diabetes because they often have peripheral arterial disease, which limits blood flow to the feet, and nerve damage, which limits foot feeling. Together, they're a deadly combo that allows normally harmless phenomena like ulcers to get severely infected faster and without being noticed until it's too late.
When considering Hagerstown podiatry, residents visit Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center. Learn more at http://robinwoodortho.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9288312
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