FAQ's
We get asked many questions about foot pain & what to do for relief from prospective clients.
FAQ's
Q: I had a neuroma removed from my foot and now the pain has come back. Why did the pain come back?
A: Studies have shown that 75% of patients have a positive response to neuroma surgery, although many patients may still have some uncomfortable but tolerable lingering sensation.
Other patients experience pain from the sensitive nerve endings or from the formation of a painful stump neuroma (recurrent neuroma). This is especially painful when weight bearing (standing, walking). Symptoms may be similar to that experienced prior to initial surgery.
Treatment is initially conservative using various padding and injection techniques. You may also want to consider a full length orthotic, which can offer rearfoot control with a metatarsal pad (this pad sits just behind the ball of the foot and takes pressure off the nerve). Please refer to Foot.com for information on ready made Lynco orthotics or ask your physician about custom orthotics. Most importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Q: I have a sharp shooting pain in a couple of my small toes. This seems to be more painful when I walk barefoot. What could be causing this pain and how do I treat it?
A: The symptoms you are describing may be a common foot problem called Morton's Neuroma. MN is swelling of a nerve usually at the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toe. Symptoms for this condition include sharp pain, burning or even lack of feeling in the area. Morton's Neuroma may also cause a sensation of "walking on a pebble."
Conservative treatment (non-surgical) includes footwear with a straight toe box and orthotics with a metatarsal pad. The metatarsal pad sits behind the ball of the foot and takes pressure off the nerve.
Your doctor may also suggest local steroid injections or surgery for cases that do not respond to conservative treatment.
You can find out more about MN and products to treat this disorder on Foot.com. Most importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Q: I have pain in my heel especially when I first get up in the morning. Could I have heel spurs? Is there something I can do to relieve this pain?
A: Heel spurs develop as an abnormal growth in the heel bone and is usually due to an excessive pull on the plantar fascia (fibrous band of tissue - runs from the heel to the ball of the foot). This can be very painful first thing in the morning because the tissue tightens when you are not active. You may want to wear supportive footwear immediately upon wakening to avoid this. Also, never walk barefoot. Heel Spur Syndrome can be seen in both pronated (flat feet) and supinated (high arch).
Long term biomechanical control of flat feet or accommodation of a rigid high arch is an essential element in the permanent resolution of symptoms, along with proper footwear. You may want to consider a ready-made or a custom orthotic. I suggest a Lynco orthotic, which comes with the option of posting for flat feet. You can find these and other related products on Foot.com. If the problem continues, contact your foot doctor.
Q: I have tried orthotics, cortisone shots and physical therapy for my painful heel spurs. None of which have worked. Can you tell me about the new less invasive surgery that is available now?
A: The procedure you are referring to is called Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF). The procedure is a relatively new medical breakthrough for heel pain. Surgical correction should not be considered until all conservative treatments have been attempted. And orthotic control may be recommended to permanently resolve your symptoms.
EPF is performed by inserting a specialized camera into the heel area, which allows the surgeon to visualize the plantar fascia (band of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot). The plantar fascia is then released from the insertion at the heel bone.
The small incision is closed with approximately 6 stitches. Most patients are in a post-op shoe for 1-3 days but can usually return to work in a week. This will all depend on your health and level of activity before surgery. There is a risk with any surgery and the most common side effects with EPF are infection and numbness.
Q: Lately I have been experiencing very cold feet and this has become very uncomfortable. I walk about 30 minutes per day. Is there anything I can do about this?
A: Cold feet can be a result of poor circulation to the toes. As people age the blood vessels may develop plaques that restrict blood flow to the feet. Other times the feet can be sweaty and this moisture causes the foot to get cold. Wearing a sock that wicks moisture away from the foot can help. I suggest the Comfort N' Care socks found in the product section of Foot.com.
Nerve problems such as peripheral neuropathy can also give a cold sensation to the feet and may be painful at times. Peripheral neuropathy is often seen in patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or other prolonged illnesses. You can read more about diabetes in the condition section of FootHealthNetwok.com. Most importantly, if this problem continues, contact your foot doctor.
Q: I have a bump on the back of my heel that is red and painful when wearing shoes. What is this called and what can I do to relieve the pain?
A: Haglund's deformity (retrocalcanealbursitis) is the inflammation of the bursa located near the attachment of the achilles tendon. Footwear and excessive use of the Achilles tendon complex aggravate this condition. The Achilles Tendon is located in the back of the leg and inserts into the heel. This condition is also referred to, as a "pump bump"? since it is more commonly associated with women's pumps.
Conservative (non-surgical) treatment consists of alleviating the shoe pressure with a heel lift. This will elevate the prominence above the counter (rear) of the shoe. Also consider an athletic shoe with an achilles tendon notch (cut out) or open back shoe. A heel cup or heel cradle will elevate the heel and take stress and pressure off the achilles tendon. An orthotic device may relieve symptoms by supporting the arch and controlling the way your foot functions. These products can be found on Foot.com.
Oral medications, local physical therapy, and local injections are also used in the treatment of Haglund?s Deformity. Surgical treatment should be considered only if conservative treatment fails. Most importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Q: I have a case of Post-Tib Tendinitis. Over-the-counter orthotics are helping. Eventually, I would like to get back to running. My doctor says that I have flexible arches. My question is: What type of shoe should I be looking for?
A: Post-tib Tendinitis is a strain and inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon that runs along the inside of the ankle. When this tendon does not function it results in a flat foot. If your arch flattens out when you stand you will benefit from a posted orthotic. I suggest the Lynco posted orthotic found in the product section of Foot.com. This will reduce strain on the Posterior Tibial Tendon.
Proper footwear is important and should provide the following benefits: wide toe area, removable insole to accommodate an orthotic and a firm heel counter for extra support and stability. You will find a list of local dealers that are trained in fitting shoes and orthotics in the Dealer Network section of Foot.com.
Q: About 10 years ago I had bunion surgery, which healed great and I have been very active since. However, now I am getting overlapping toe syndrome? The big toe drifts over the top of the next toe. What are my options?
A: It is important to address the biomechanical problem that may be causing your big toe to overlap your second toe. This may be decreasing the range of motion at your big toe joint. There are many ways to address the clinical problem you are experiencing, such as controlling the way your foot functions with an orthotic. Your foot type will determine the type of orthotic used. For example, if you have flat feet you will want an orthotic that is posted. Wearing properly fitting shoes will decrease the pain you may be experiencing. You will want a shoe that has a high, wide toe area and a rocker sole to decrease movement at the joint. Other options include HV day and night splints and gel toe straighteners. (HV stands for Hallux Valgus and is the medical term for bunion.) For more information on the products mentioned, please refer to Foot.com. Most importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Q: I have an on going problem with my toes. They get little blisters on the top of them. I have to wear open-toe shoes and as soon as I wear closed-toe shoes, they hurt again. What can I do to relieve the pain?
A: Blisters on the top of the toes can be the result of hammer toes. Hammer toes are toes that bend at the middle joint and can cause the toe to rub against the shoe. To decrease the blistering I would recommend a gel toe shield or toe cap to reduce pressure and friction off the toes. You also want to consider the size and type of shoe you are currently wearing. A shoe with a high toe box will provide enough room to accommodate your hammer toes and decrease friction between your toes and the shoe. Please refer to the product section of Foot.com for product information. Most importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Q: My mother has been having pain in her feet and she noticed that her arch is flattening out when she walks. Could this be falling arches?
A: Falling arches is an old term for flat feet. Sometimes you can loose your
arch because the tendons in the area become stretched and lose their ability to
function properly. Flat feet can lead to a strain on the soft tissue (tendons,
ligaments) and joints which can become inflamed and painful. Footwear with a
strong heel counter will give you extra support and an orthotic will help
control the way your foot functions. I recommend an over-the-counter arch
support such as a posted Lynco Orthotic which can be found on Foot.com. Most
importantly, if the problem continues, consult your foot doctor.
Foot.com
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Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
Phone: (800)
526-2739 | Fax: (800) 526-0073