The most common cause of heel pain is incorrect foot movement while walking or running. This can place too much stress on
the heel bone and the soft tissue surrounding it. Incorrect foot movement can also be caused by inherited muscle and bone problems as well as external causes such as heel injury or bruising, poorly fitted or worn-out shoes and excessive weight.

Treatment Options: Treatment of heel pain varies depending on the type, cause and severity of the condition. Your podiatrist may advise you to cut back on activities that put stress on your foot and/or recommend the use of orthotic devices.
Other treatments include: Insoles, oral or injected anti-inflamatory medication, physical therapy, foot taping, foot exercises

such as muscle strengthening and stretching.

Exercise-related injuries: While fitness and sports activities are good for your body and soul, they can put extra demands on your feet. Never ignore an injury, no matter how minor it may seem. If you do, a temporary injury can easily turn into a permanent disability. In addition, pain from an injury may cause you to "favor" the injured part of your body, causing knee and back problems.

Treating a foot or ankle injury: If you sustain a foot or ankle injury, you should seek immediate treatment from a podiatrist or physician. However, there are steps you can take to treat the injury until you receive medical attention.

• Gently place a plastic bag of ice on the injured area.
• Lightly wrap an elastic bandage around the area, don't pull it tight.
• Elevate your foot so that it is higher than your waist
• For bleeding cuts, cleanse well, apply pressure with gauze or a towel and cover with a clean dressing
• Put on a soft shoe or slipper that can accommodate a bulky dressing.
  
  

Six steps to healthier feet : Taking good care of your feet is a daily investment in your lifelong health and comfort. You can prevent or minimize most problems by adopting a routine of daily foot care and following these simple guidelines.

1. Wear comfortable shoes and socks that fit your feet.
2. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
3. Keep your toenails trimmed short and straight across.
4. Apply cream and lotion to feet to keep skin smooth and supple.
5. Wear clean socks or stockings and wear the same shoes two days in a row.
6. See your podiatrist for any severe or persistent foot problems.

If your podiatrist has recommended that you have foot surgery. Surgery is typically recommended to relieve pain, correct a deformity or restore function of your foot or ankle. Because most foot surgery is elective, you and your doctor can decide when to have it done.

Post-operative care : To ensure a rapid and successful recovery following foot surgery, it is important to follow your podiatric surgeon's advice.
Post-operative instructions will be issued by your doctor describing post-surgery care, including ice, bandages, elevation, walking aids and medications.

Call your doctor if:

• Blood appears on the bandage ( a small amount is to be expected).
• Your dressing becomes tight or your foot is cold and numb.
• You develop a temperature of 101 degrees or more.
• Your cast or bandages gets wet.
• You experience persistent pain.

Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million people. Although it can affect any joint, arthritis frequently shows up first in the feet, causing joint swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, redness and early morning stiffness. While arthritis can't be cured, early diagnosis and treatment are important to help slow or prevent damage to the joints and control pain.

Treating arthritis: While most forms of arthritis can't be cured, they can be controlled. Treatment of arthritis varies depending on the type and severity of the condition. Relieving the pain, controlling the inflammation and preserving or restoring joint function are the goals of any treatment program. There are a wide variety of drugs to treat arthritis. In addition to medication, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy, exercise and/or the use of shoe inserts.

Treatment options:

• Medication to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Exercise and physical therapy to preserve foot flexibility.
• Use of special shoes to relieve pain.
• Shoe inserts (orthotic devices) prescribed by your podiatrist and molded to your feet to help improve foot function.
• Surgery to repair or replace severly damaged joints.
  

How does diabetes affect
my feet? Many people with
diabetes can have mild to severe
damage. This can cause
diminished feeling in the feet. As a
result, you may not feel cuts,
scratches and breaks in the skin.
These wounds can lead to
unnoticed infection.

What problems should I report to my doctor: If you have diabetes and experience any of these symptoms, be sure to discuss them with your physician or podiatrist.

• Changes in the color of the skin on your feet.
• Changes in skin teperature.
• Pain in the legs, either at rest or while walking.
• Swelling of the foot or ankle.
• Open sores that are slow to heel.
• Ingrown or fungus-infected toenails
• Corns or calluses that bleed within the skin.
• Cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.
  

What can I do to prevent foot problems?: The primary goal of foot care for diabetics is to stop infection before it starts. You can help prevent infection by keeping the skin of your feet healthy and intact. Take immediate steps to care for any irritation that does occur.

Diabetic Do's and Don'ts

DO

• Do check before putting on shoes for pebbles, rough seams or other potential irritants inside.
• Do keep your toenails short and cut them straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.
• Do avid weight gain, or lose weight if necessary. This will minimize the pressure on your feet and help keep your diabetes under control.
• Do wear thick, smooth fitting socks and stockings. Avoid mended socks or those with seams that could cause blisters.
• Do stay active. Walking is the best overall conditioner for the feet.

DON'T

• Don't use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your feet for any reason.
• Don't use medication on your feet unless approved by your podiatrist.
• Don't cross your legs when sitting, which can compress blood vessels even more.
• Don't wear girdles, garters or any garment that may restrict blood flow to your feet.
• Don't cut corns or calluses. you may invite infection.
• Don't go barefoot, even inside your home. A minor cut or scratch that goes unnoticed could lead to a seriuos infection.
• Don't smoke. Don't drink alcohol. Smoking can lead to circulatory problems and alcohol can contribute to neuropathy, a disease of the nervous system.