If a person takes the time to think about the human body’s construction, one thing will become absolutely clear. The feet endure the greatest wear and tear. Human feet are extremely complex. They are designed to withstand incredible amounts of weight, yet they are key parts that contribute to the body’s overall versatility. The feet are hearty and sure body features, but they do develop problems.
26 bones are found in the average human foot. They work together to form the perfect weight-supporting construct. An even more impressive number of muscles, tendons, and soft tissues connect these bones. All of them work together to make it possible for a person to perform daily activities. If a single bone or connecting feature experiences a problem, the result is felt throughout the body. Common foot problems arise frequently, and they require help from experienced podiatrists. Consultations with professionals like Dr. Schlomo Schmuel reveal the need for treatment of the most common foot problems.
Collapsed Arches
As a person grows, the bones in their feet adapt to body weight. Normally, people develop contours on the bottoms of their feet that aid in body balance. These contours also fit shoe designs. Sometimes, a person’s foot arches buckle and create a “flat foot” condition. This means that normal foot contours are forced downward.
Having flat fleet can cause problems throughout the body. When feet do not step properly, they force stress on muscles found in the body’s hip’s and back. A flat-footed person does not have the normal “bounce” in each step. The result is a cascade of muscular problems and undue wear on the feet. Having flat feet is easily addressed with certain aids and shoe inserts.
Plantar Fasciitis
Many people experience pain in their feet that is persistent, but cannot be linked to any previous injury or condition. Doctors classify this pain as an inflammation of the fascia surrounding foot bones and soft tissues. A tiny inflammation in the foot can cause an extremely uncomfortable condition that affects the work of the entire body.
This inflammation is usually pinpointed at a location adjacent to a particular bone in the foot. No structural abnormality may exist, but inflammation at a certain point can happen. The problem might be caused by wearing the wrong type of shoe. It can also be caused by a number of nutritional factors. Only an experienced podiatrist can determine the root cause of this foot pain.
Hammer Toes
When a toe weakens because of forceful activities, it can become misaligned. This misalignment will cause toe joints to build cellular deposits made from nutritional minerals. A buildup of calcium in a singular toe will cause it to lie in an unnatural position. Though the toe gradually changes its lying pattern, the nerves in that toe do not change. The result is extreme nervous pain every time the toe moves. Whenever a person takes a step, each toe activates in a muscular way. If one toe has been altered because its joints have changed, pain will be sensed. Professional like Schlomo Schmuel can diagnose a particular foot bone that has become problematic during normal activities.
Bone Spurs
Bones spurs are a form of arthritis. Sometimes, bursitis is included in this category of foot pain problems. Sometimes, mineral deposits can form at the ends of bones in the foot. They can occur at any age, but most often occur in people who are middle-aged and older. Foot bones can develop slight outgrowths. These will interfere with the tracts of muscles and soft tissues. They are similar to scar tissues that form on the body’s skin after an injury.
These outgrowths of bone impact nervous pathways, and they can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. The only way to stop the pain is to have the outgrowths removed surgically. Surgery removes bone deformities that keep a person from walking normally. Spurs can occur on any foot bone, but they are most common underneath the big toe. The big toe’s joints interact with the foot’s sole, and spurs here are painful.
Foot problems and pain are important to address because they affect every aspect of life. The smallest pain in a foot can turn a simple task into an excruciating ordeal. Experts like Dr. Schlomo Schmuel can determine if a person’s pain is due to a common problem. Many foot problems can be solved with therapeutic footwear. Other problems can be solved with simple surgical techniques. Experts are available to educate people about the reasons for their foot pain, and they can suggest the best ways to alleviate them.