Gregory M Bentzinger

Nearly 80 percent of Americans have experienced some type of foot problem due to uncomfortable or poorly fitting shoes, according to California’s Board of Podiatric Medicine. If a shoe doesn’t feel good in the store, don’t count on it stretching to fit after you’ve worn it a while.

A plaster case of your foot is used by experts to create orthotics that can fit into different types of shoes and compensate for bone and other irregularities that could eventually make walking difficult, if not impossible.

Some of the most extreme cases of foot deformation stem from the old, and thankfully discontinued, Chinese practice of foot binding. This was done in order to keep the feet of women small so they would be more attractive to men.

Every case of a heel spur, or growth on the heel bone under the foot, is unique. However, one common truth is that surgery is seldom required. Approximately 9 out of 10 patients recover through exercise or other nonsurgical treatments, according to experts.

It’s important to remember that the foot wasn’t designed to remain in unnatural positions within high heels for the bulk of the day. Since continued high heel use can damage your foot, it’s wise to seek podiatric treatment when you start experiencing more pain than fatigue at the end of a day in your shoes.

One of the telltale signs of lymphedema, a serious medical condition, is swelling in both feet. If you have swelling that is not a result of a recent injury, it is a good idea to visit a foot and ankle surgeon as quickly as possible to get the problem checked out.

While special running shoes have been designed for runners with high and low arches, what type of running shoe is best for runners with normal arches? Running shoes that offer equal stability and cushioning features. These shoes will absorb shock and help to reduce risks for running injuries.

If you have pain in your foot or ankle that worsens with activity, you may be suffering from a stress fracture. However, visiting a podiatrist and treating this issue early can help your foot heal more quickly.

There are four types of neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that is common with people who have diabetes. Sensory neuropathy affects the nerves that control feeling, which is why diabetics require special footwear.

Corns and calluses are typically treated with over-the-counter remedies. If, however, they become painful, it’s time to visit a podiatrist and get treatment that will successfully remove the condition.

If you are experiencing pain in your foot, its important to pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from. There are many parts to a foot, from bones, joints muscles and ligaments. Call for an appointment at your convenience.

Bunions and corns are both common foot problems, but the similarity ends there. A bunion is a deformity of bone that presents as a bump behind the big toe. A corn, on the other hand, is just hard skin that forms between toes or on top of the toes.

Keep your toenails strong and healthy by regularly trimming them with nail clippers. Avoid trimming the nails too short, however, as this could cause pain until the nails grow out a bit.