Merced Chiropractor

Arch pain and foot over-pronation can cause problems for people in every stage of life and can even affect an athlete’s performance during every type of activity. Three causes of this type of pain may be surprising to some who aren’t aware of them. Most of the causes are preventable, while some can be genetic. According to the Cleveland Clinic, three of the preventable causes for foot arch pain include high heel shoes, tightly-fitting footwear, and deficient foot arch support. These poor decisions can all lead to painful foot problems like bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. The Mayo Clinic cites that 2 of the genetic foot conditions that can lead to foot over-pronation and foot arch pain include low foot arches or arches that are excessively high. Here we explain some foot procedures that treat these problems and how each of them can be healed.

Overview of Heel Spur Relief Procedures

Some of the genetic foot problems include either fallen arches or abnormally raised arches. Arch malformations such as these affect normal and active people alike. The result of a fallen arch can be foot arch pain and foot over-pronation because this flattened part of the foot is not working as it should. When this foot area fails to support the body’s weight, foot over-pronation occurs which can lead to a heelspur, a bony protrusion in the heel. Surgery is sometimes required to remove the bonespur and relieve the dicomfort. The podiatrist will use a bone saw to cut away the extra spur of bone to take away the inflammation and pain it had been causing. The best alternative for treating both types of arch problems so heel spurs can be prevented is by providing the foot with proper arch support through athletic insoles.

When Bunion Removal Procedures are Necessary

Having a bunion removed, or a bunionectomy, is the process whereby the bone growth that appears to the side of the ball of the foot is severed to attain a more conventional foot profile and width. In the most serious cases where the big toe has turned under the other toes, the surgeon cuts a triangle-shaped block out of the big toe’s bone to reset it to its normal position. A single metal osteo screw is turned inside the bone to hold the new position in place. After about 6 to 7 months, the screw is usually removed. Despite the fact that this problem can happen because of pointed shoes, sometimes people are born with the tendency to form bunions. Surgeons confer that tight shoes that force the toes into an unnatural position can cause bunions.

Overview of Hammertoe Treatment and Prevention

Hammertoes can be brought on by pointy shoes or footwear that is snug. This problem can affect athletes that wear snug shoes during training as well. Hammertoes are, sadly, difficult to fix without a corrective operation. First, a surgeon can try to splint the affected toe to try to move it into a more natural placement. For this procedure to work, patients need to wear shoes with plenty of toe room. Hammertoes can return if ill-fitting shoes are worn again. If splinting the toe is unsuccessful, surgery is the only option. The afflicted toe must have a part of the bone surgically removed to minimize the curvature of the toe. The recovery period is crucial, as patients who refuse to stay off their feet as prescribed will not restore correctly. The prevention for this condition is to wear well-fitted shoes.

No matter what lifestyle, genetic disposition, or age, foot conditions can happen to a fair number of people. Though foot procedures can surgically alleviate these conditions, most of the time they are preventable through proper shoes and appropriate foot arch support.