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Standing for prolonged periods of time can cause damage to your feet. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of the job for many working people. Common foot conditions that may occur as a result of being on your feet all day include foot pain, blisters, calluses, corns, arthritis, toe deformities, sprains, bunions, athlete’s foot, and fallen arches. 

There are certain steps that you can take to prevent work-related foot problems. If you are on your feet all day, it is recommended that you avoid shoes that have high heels, pointed toes, a fit that is too loose or too tight, and a lack of arch support. If you work in a place where foot injuries are a common occupational hazard, such as a construction zone, wearing the right shoes becomes increasingly important. Wearing comfortable, properly fitted, supportive shoes made of breathable materials can mitigate the risk of developing a variety of foot problems.

Maintaining an immobile, upright stance for prolonged periods of time is bad for your foot health. If possible, take breaks throughout the day to sit down, stretch, and walk around. At home, take care of your feet with a daily foot care routine. Wash the feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Apply a moisturizer to prevent cracked heels. When trimming the toenails, trim straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Wear clean socks daily. If you notice any problems developing in your feet or ankles, consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose and treat your condition and help you maintain the health of your feet. 

Falls are a leading cause of serious injury among the elderly. In fact, falls are the cause of the majority of hospitalizations for elderly people. As we age, our risk of falling increases due to deterioration in physical strength, coordination, vision, and hearing. Unsafe conditions in the home are often responsible for falls, and about half of all falls among the elderly occur in the home environment. Falling can cause a variety of complications, including injuries to the legs and feet, which can greatly impact one’s mobility and independence. 

Fortunately, falls can often be prevented. There are various preventive measures that you can take to make your home environment safer and less likely to contribute to a fall. In the bathroom, where wet and slippery conditions can lead to falling, it is recommended that you have non-slip surfaces in the shower and tub, install grab bars by the toilet and bath to help you sit and stand, and wipe up any moisture or spills as soon as they occur. In the living room and bedroom, it is important to make sure that the floor is free of clutter and obstacles, such as loose cords and wires, small furniture items, and other tripping hazards. Ensure that all rugs and mats are firmly anchored and that there is good lighting throughout the home. In the kitchen, it is suggested that you store appliances and other supplies in places that are easy to reach and that you wipe up any spills that may occur immediately. If your home has stairs, they should be well lit and have secure handrails. 

You can also prevent falls by modifying your own behavior. When moving around the home, walk slowly and carefully, turn on lights when walking through your home at night, and use any mobility aids, such as a cane or walker, when needed. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet to maintain your overall health. Speak regularly with your doctor to monitor your medications, especially if you are taking any medications that may increase your risk of falling due to side effects such as dizziness. For more tips on how to prevent falls, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Gout is a type of arthritis that can affect the foot. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid levels become excessive, this substance can create crystals in the joints, causing severe pain, intense swelling, redness, and warmth. Typically this occurs in the big toe joint. 

You may be at an increased risk of developing gout if you are a middle-aged man or postmenopausal woman, have family members who have had gout, drink alcohol, take certain medications, or have a medical condition like high blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea. Gout may also be more likely to develop if you consume a diet high in sugars or purines, a substance that turns into uric acid when it breaks down. Foods high in purines include organ meats, red meat, oily fish, certain vegetables, beans, and mushrooms. 

Gout that is left untreated can become chronic and lead to arthritis. Gout can be treated by a chiropodist. Treatment options may include taking medications to relieve pain and prevent future gout attacks, modifying your diet, and reducing alcohol intake. For more information about gout, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Cracked heels are a common foot problem. They occur when areas of skin on your heels become dry and thicken, forming calluses. Over time, these calluses can crack, causing discomfort or pain in the heel. Other symptoms associated with cracked heels include flaky skin, itching, bleeding, redness, inflammation, and foot wounds. Additionally, deep, painful cracks known as fissures can form on the heels. Fissures leave your heels at an increased risk of becoming infected. 

Cracked heels may be caused by standing for prolonged periods of time, walking barefoot or in open-back shoes, wearing poorly fitted shoes, taking lengthy hot showers, using harsh soaps to wash your feet, and living in a climate with cold temperatures or low humidity. Sometimes cracked heels can be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a vitamin deficiency, fungal infection, or psoriasis. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent cracked heels and to treat them when they occur. You may be able to prevent cracked heels by wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes with a closed back, wearing orthotic devices to pad your heels as you walk, or wearing padded socks. Keeping your feet exfoliated and moisturized is also a key step, in both prevention and treatment. Applying a thick moisturizer on the heels regularly is highly recommended. 

If you have chronic cracked heels, cracked heels that don’t respond to home treatment, or if you are diabetic or have peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves of the lower limbs become damaged. 

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, numbness, and unusual sensations in the feet, weakness, and burning pain.  This problem often co-occurs with diabetes, but can also be caused by viral infections, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and genetic disorders. 

Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and specific tests that may assess your reflexes, and ability to feel touch or vibration in your lower limbs. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if your peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes, then controlling your blood sugar levels will be emphasized. For peripheral neuropathy pain, you may be prescribed oral medications. For preventing complications from peripheral neuropathy, your chiropodist may recommend wearing properly fitted, comfortable shoes and inspecting your feet daily for any abnormalities. 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

A fungal toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis, can be unsightly and uncomfortable. Infected nails often become thickened, brittle, crumbly, and discolored with white, yellow, or brown patches. The affected nails may also lift from the nail bed and emit a foul odor. 

Fungal toenail infections are contagious and are caused by a fungus getting in, on, or under the toenails. Fungi thrive in moist, warm environments like public swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers, and many people contract fungal nail infections from walking barefoot in these environments. The fungus can also spread from person to person. For this reason, it is best to avoid sharing personal items like shoes, socks, and towels with an infected individual. 

Certain factors can make one more likely to contract toenail fungus. People who have diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immune system, are over the age of 65, wear artificial nails, have a toenail injury or damaged skin around their toenails, wear closed-toe shoes, and expose their feet to moisture for extended periods of time are at an increased risk of onychomycosis. 

Treatment options for toenail fungus include oral medications and topical solutions such as medicated nail polishes and creams. Treatment can take several months to be effective, so it is recommended that you see a chiropodist as soon as you notice the symptoms of toenail fungus. For more information about this condition, please consult with a podiatrist.  

Like any other part of the body, the feet are vulnerable to wear and tear throughout our lives. As we age, our feet may require more care and attention. Elderly people are especially prone to developing a variety of foot problems, including dry skin, corns, calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, deformities, arthritis, fungal infections, and plantar warts. Additionally, systemic conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation can have noticeable effects on foot health. 

The first step to preventing foot health problems at any age is to establish a good daily foot care routine. Washing the feet with soap and warm water daily, then drying them thoroughly is very important. Applying a moisturizer to the soles of the feet can help prevent dry skin. When trimming the toenails, use nail clippers to trim them straight across. This can prevent painful ingrown toenails. Doing daily foot exercises and stretches can help maintain the strength and flexibility of the feet. 

A critical step of the daily foot care routine, especially for those who have systemic conditions like diabetes, is the daily foot inspection. Check your feet each day for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities. By catching and treating any foot problems early, you can prevent infection and other serious complications. A hand mirror can be used to help you see any hard-to-reach areas. 

Another important aspect of caring for your feet is wearing the right shoes and socks. Footwear should be comfortable, supportive, flexible, and made of breathable materials. For some people, orthotic inserts can help make shoes more comfortable. 

If you have any foot problems, or questions about maintaining the health of your feet, please consult with a chiropodist. 

If you’re an athlete, you may be familiar with stress fractures. These are tiny cracks in one or more bones of the feet that are caused by repetitive overloading of the foot. This is common in athletes, as frequent training, running, and jumping activities can put a strain on the foot bones. When a stress fracture occurs, symptoms may at first be mild. The affected bone might ache, but only during physical activity. It may disappear with rest. However, if a fracture goes untreated, the pain may increase gradually over time until it hurts constantly and interferes with all weight-bearing activities, like standing or walking. Swelling and tenderness of the areas surrounding the broken bone are also common. 

Full fractures occur when one or more bones in the feet crack completely. This is often due to a high-impact injury to the area. Symptoms of a full fracture may include pain, bruising, tenderness, swelling, difficulty walking, and deformity. In some cases, pieces of a broken bone can poke through the skin in an open fracture. This type of fracture requires immediate medical attention due to the high risk of infection. 

A chiropodist can diagnose a fracture through an X-ray or bone scan. Treatments may be conservative and include resting, icing, and elevating the foot for a period of time to allow it to heal. Over-the-counter medications may be suggested for pain management. Sometimes you may also be prescribed a brace or other orthotic device to take pressure off the fractured bone while it heals. More severe fractures may require surgery and a lengthy recovery period.  

If you’re suffering from a broken foot bone, it’s suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist.

The Achilles tendon, located at the back of the lower leg, is a strong band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. There are several different types of Achilles tendon injuries. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendon ruptures. 

When the tendon is injured due to repetitive strain and overuse, it can result in a condition called Achilles tendonitis. This injury is characterized by inflammation of the Achilles tendon, heel and calf pain, thickening of the tendon, ankle and calf stiffness, and a decreased range of motion. In the initial stages of Achilles tendonitis, pain primarily occurs following physical activity, but it can become constant and chronic if the injury is left untreated. 

When the Achilles tendon fully tears, it is known as an Achilles tendon rupture. This usually occurs following a sudden, high-impact injury. Symptoms include a sudden, stabbing pain in the back of the affected leg, a popping or snapping sensation, swelling, and difficulty walking and raising the foot. This condition requires prompt treatment to prevent further damage to the tendon. 

There are a variety of treatments available for Achilles tendon injuries. Achilles tendonitis can often be treated through conservative methods, such as resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and doing gentle stretches. Achilles tendon ruptures may require surgical treatment to avoid reinjury. For more information about Achilles tendon injuries, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a foot condition that occurs in children. Sever’s disease is not truly a disease, but rather an overuse injury. It is common among active children between the ages of 8 and 14. Young, growing children have a growth plate in their heels, where new bone is forming. When too much stress is put on the heel, the growth plate can become inflamed, leading to heel pain. 

Children who participate in activities that put repetitive stress on the heel bone are most at risk of developing Sever’s disease. These activities include playing soccer or basketball, running track, or any other sport or activity that involves running, jogging, or jumping. Children who are obese, have tight Achilles tendons, biomechanical problems, flat feet, or fallen arches are also at risk. 

The symptoms of Sever’s disease include pain in the back or bottom of the heel, pain when the sides of the heel are squeezed, and fatigue. The pain may lead to difficulties walking or bearing weight on the affected foot, and you may notice your child limping or walking on their toes to avoid putting pressure on the heel. A chiropodist can diagnose Sever’s disease by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging studies such as X-rays may also be ordered. 

Sever’s disease is generally treated by resting the affected foot, wearing shoes or orthotics that support the heel, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation. In severe cases of heel pain, the affected foot may need to be immobilized with a cast while it heals. If your child is complaining of heel pain, please consult with a chiropodist.