Injuries to the foot are often caused by accidents. These injuries may include broken bones, muscle strains, sprains, and joint dislocations. Injuries such as these are caused by stretching tissues beyond their normal range or by a direct blow.

Overuse foot injuries are common among recreational athletes. These injuries include stress fractures and tendonitis, and bone and heel spurs. Other common problems are blisters, bunions, corns, callouses, athlete's foot, Morton's neuroma, and black and ingrown toenails.

Problems due to abnormal skeletal structure and stress on muscles are the most common cause of overuse injuries of the foot. They may not cause injury during normal activity, but excessive sports activity will make the problem worse. Such problems include flat feet and high arches.

Some people have naturally flat feet or feet that turn in (pronate) when they run. These people tend to walk and run on the insides of their feet. Doing this too much may cause overuse injuries such as stress fractures and tendonitis. It also makes the legs rotate inward. This can cause bursitis in the hip and kneecap pain. Shoe inserts (orthotics) can correct abnormal foot motion and alignment.

People with high arches are prone to getting a hammertoe (the second toe buckles and cannot be straightened). Shoe inserts do not help hammertoes. Stretching the foot and taking up a different activity that does not cause pain or re-injury will help. Some foot problems can be corrected just by wearing the right shoes.

Getting a medical exam before you start an exercise program can reveal existing problems and help you avoid overuse injuries in the foot or elsewhere.

Article #7531

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