The causes of most foot problems are a combination of factors that wear out or stress the feet. Contributing factors include:
- overweight
- doing too much standing or walking (especially on hard surfaces)
- not taking enough time to adequately prepare by stretching and gradually building up prior to starting the exercise.
SOME OF THE MORE COMMON PROBLEMS OF THE FEET ARE: - corns (thickened layers of skin at the tips or between the toes)
- callouses (thickened layers of skin on the bottom of the feet)
- bunions (a bony bump at the base of the big toe causing it to turn inward)
- hammer or claw toes (give the toe a bent look)
- ingrown toenails (the end of the nail grows under and into the flesh of the skin of the toe)
- neuromas (a pinched or swollen nerve between the toes where they join the foot)
All these problems may be caused in part by poorly fitting shoes. Wearing good shoes is essential. A shoe should: - be roomy with enough width and comfort for the foot and the toes
- have low heels
- have a thick sole and
- support the arch
Article #7613 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
