Common Foot Conditions

Any podiatrist worth his or her salt will strive to find the sources of foot pain or discomfort. We listen carefully to our patients’ complaints, complete a thorough examination, and sometimes even run tests to narrow down and confirm the possibilities. That said, there are a number of common foot conditions that are either quite obvious or tend to be the first causes we try to rule out. Here is a sampler of some of the most common foot problems we see:

Bunions and Hammertoes – Both of these conditions fall under the category of toe deformities and are the result of imbalances in the muscles and tendons surrounding joints. The telltale bump of a bunion forms at the big toe joint—also known as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Hammertoes, which show as a bending or curling downward of the toes, can also cause corns, calluses and irritation if they rub against the inside of ill fitting shoes. When both cases are caught early, measures can be taken to relieve any discomfort and prevent the deformities from growing worse over time.

Plantar Fasciitis – Heel pain is one of the most common symptoms that walk into our office, and plantar fasciitis is its most common source. There is a band of thick tissue called that plantar fascia which runs along the bottom of each foot, from the base of the toes to the heel bone. These bands support our arches and assist us in locomotion, but can become strained and inflamed for various reasons. If the first moments of your morning are spent hobbling about with sharp heel pain until your plantar fascia warms up, odds are good you have this condition.

Ingrown Toenails – Moving into skin and nail conditions, an ingrown toenail is simply a misdirected toenail that begins growing into the surrounding soft flesh. This nuisance causes pain, redness, and swelling, but is many times not very serious. Some cases of ingrown toenails can be handled well enough at home. However, if there is any reason to suspect an infection, or if your ingrown toenail keeps returning again and again, it needs professional care.

Ankle Sprains – You don’t need to be playing a sport to experience a painful ankle sprain—sometimes just stepping off a curb the wrong way is all it takes. A sprain causes strain and damage to the ligaments surrounding a joint and should not be taken lightly. What is thought to be a sprain might actually be a fracture, and sprains that don’t heal properly can cause instability and chronic pain in the future.

From sports injuries to nail conditions to general ankle and foot pain, Dr. Timothy Barry and the staff of Family Foot & Ankle Care of Jasper seek to make your feet feel better through the best modes of care that fit your specific circumstances and needs. There is no need to continue bearing with pain or risking a problem becoming progressively worse. Contact our office at (812) 481-7200 and take the first steps toward relief today.

More Common Conditions:

• Athlete’s Foot
• Foot Odor 
• Flat Feet
• Fungal Toenails
• Plantar Warts
• Toe Deformities