September 2022

The feet are hard at work every day as they support your weight when you walk, run, and jump. As a result, foot pain is a common occurrence. Sprains, fractures, and inflammation can limit your movements and impede your daily life. With 26 bones and multiple muscles, ligaments, and tendons in each foot, the possibilities for foot pain are numerous. Common causes of foot pain include improper or ill-fitting footwear, exercise or sports-related injuries, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Diabetes, which can result in nerve and circulation damage, can be a generator of foot pain. Further conditions that cause heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Foot deformities like bunions and hammertoes cause foot pain. Warts, ingrown toenails, and corns are among the causes, too. Treatment for foot pain depends on the underlying cause. To learn more, please consult a podiatrist who is trained to deal specifically with foot problems and their causes.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Deborah Holte, DPM from Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Excessive fluid in the feet can cause extreme swelling. This is an uncomfortable feeling, and is known as edema. Some of the symptoms that can accompany swollen feet include bruising, numbness, and the feet may feel stiff. When the feet become swollen, it may be indicative of existing medical conditions, which include arthritis. Additionally, it may happen as a result of an ankle sprain or fracture, and this typically happens immediately. The feet may become swollen from an insect bite, and this is considered to be an allergic reaction. Some people notice their feet can become swollen from standing for extended periods of time throughout the day, and can be very common among pregnant women. The warmer temperatures may cause the feet to become swollen, and it is suggested that sodium intake is reduced. If your feet are swollen, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment options. 

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Deborah Holte, DPM of Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

The cuboid bone is located on the outside of the foot and plays an important role in foot movement. Namely, the cuboid bone can act like a pulley during downward foot movement. However, this area of the foot is susceptible to cuboid syndrome, where the ligaments surrounding the cuboid bone become injured. Individuals that have cuboid syndrome can experience a variety of different symptoms, including limping and feelings of pain. To treat cuboid syndrome a medical professional may engage in manipulation treatment. For example, a professional may choose to perform a procedure known as the cuboid squeeze. Through this technique, an individual will have their toes pressed downward while pressure is applied to the area around the cuboid bone. This may be repeated until regular movement is regained. If you have cuboid syndrome, contact a podiatrist today. This foot specialist will be able to treat your condition and answer any questions you may have about techniques like the cuboid squeeze.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Deborah Holte, DPM from Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There should be no shame in being overweight or obese, but when your feet hurt because of your weight it might be time to make some lifestyle changes and see a podiatrist. The heavier you are, the more pressure and pain your feet can feel. It is said that your feet can take up to three times your body weight in force. Excess weight may cause gout, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or osteoarthritis, among other afflictions. Being overweight can also lead to health conditions that affect the feet, such as type-2 diabetes, which can cause neuropathy and eventually amputation. Foot pain can make it hard to exercise and may interfere with losing weight which can cause a vicious cycle. You can appreciate your body and live a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet can lead to weight loss even without exercise. It is important to stick to diet changes for 20 days or more for it to become a habit. Other things you can do to improve the comfort of your feet include wearing padded socks, not going barefoot, keeping your feet clean and dry, checking your feet regularly for cuts or bruises, and wearing well-fitting supportive shoes. If you are overweight and suffering from foot pain, consider seeing a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and help in this area.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Deborah Holte, DPM from Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.