Upland, Pa. - A foot injury can have a negative effect on your everyday routine, making daily tasks — such as standing, walking, running or exercising — difficult. Not only can the injury cause pain and discomfort in your feet, but your legs, spine, knees and muscles can also be affected when compensating for a foot injury.

Fortunately, the majority of common foot problems, including ingrown toenails, gout, neuroma, and hammertoes, can be prevented or easily treated with early diagnosis.  The podiatrists of Crozer-Keystone Health System can help you identify the causes and symptoms of these nagging foot problems and provide tips to prevent them.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur due to nail advancement and penetration of the border or corner of the nail into the skin of the toe. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the toe will become irritated and swollen. The irritated area may also show signs of infection, including pus if bacteria are present.

“Most people who experience foot problems feel better when they are off of their feet, but that is not always the case with ingrown toenails,” says Bruce Greenfield, D.P.M. chief of the Section of Podiatry at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. “Ingrown toenails are one of the few conditions that hurt while in bed, because even though the patient is off of his/her feet, the bed sheets can press or rub against the toe and cause irritation.” 

“Ingrown nails can occur for multiple reasons,” according to William M. Urbas, D.P.M., chief of the Division of Podiatry at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. “Most frequently they are caused from cutting the nails improperly along the sides causing sharp edges, which allows the nail to grow into the skin as it advances.” 

Urbas adds, “Ill-fitting shoes that cause pressure [on] the nail, or nails that curl into the skin due to hereditary factors may also cause ingrown nails.”

To help prevent ingrown nails: 

• Cut nails straight across
• Use nail nippers to trim toe nails (shaped like pliers), not large nail clippers
• Do not trim nails too short
• Wear properly fitting shoes.

Gout

Gout is a condition that occurs when the body either makes too much uric acid — a normal byproduct of the diet — or is unable to excrete it fast enough. The American Podiatric Medical Association suggests that when excess uric acid accumulates in the bloodstream, it causes the formation of crystalline deposits in the joints and soft tissue of the body. The most common location for the buildup of crystals is in the joint of the big toe.

“Several factors are related to gout,” says David Samuel, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Springfield Hospital. “First is genetics. Twenty percent of people who have gout have a family history of gout. High purine diets — such as diets containing large amounts of meat, cheese, gravy, liver or mushrooms, or a large consumption of alcohol — can also cause gout. Finally, obesity, kidney disease and certain medications can increase the risk of gout.”

“The number one symptom of gout is a quick onset of severe pain without an overt history of injury,” Urbas says. “The area becomes extremely red, swollen, and painful to touch. An attack is so painful that people usually seek immediate attention from their physician.”

To help prevent gout: 

• Drink six to eight glasses of water per day
• Eat a diet that is high in fiber
• Eat foods high in potassium such as bananas, skim milk, yogurt, yams, lima beans and lean hamburger
• Eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables
• Avoid excess amounts of yeast products, alcohol, coffee, fried foods, rich desserts, caffeine, aspirin and white flour
• Avoid all simple sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats.

Neuroma

“Neuroma, also known as Morton’s Neuroma in context of the foot, is an irritation or pinching of the common digital nerve between the base of the toes, causing burning and tingling. Neuroma most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes and is five times more likely to occur in women than men,” Samuel says.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the main causes of neuromas include trauma to the nerve due to a puncture wound or laceration, instability of the toe joints due to high-arched or flat feet, or an injury that is compounded by compression from tight shoes or high heels.

“Common symptoms of neuroma are pain, burning, tingling, numbness and a shooting sensation into the toes or ball of the foot. Some patients also describe a popping sensation and may experience the feeling of walking on a cloud,” says Elizabeth Massimini, D.P.M., chief of the Section of Podiatry at Taylor Hospital.

To help prevent neuroma: 

• Wear shoes that fit properly
• Avoid narrow, tapered shoes
• Apply even pressure to feet when exercising
• Treat promptly.

Hammertoes

“Hammertoes are a contracture of the toe muscle resulting from a muscle imbalance,” Massimini says. “The muscle imbalance occurs between the tendons on top and the bottom of the toes. There are two types of hammertoes: flexible and rigid. Flexible means the toe is still able to be bent or flexed, and rigid means that it is not possible to straighten or manipulate the toe. If enough support is created in the shoe while the toe is still flexible, the toe will usually not progress to rigid.”

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, hammertoes develop gradually. They will progressively get worse over time and usually start as flexible and eventually become rigid.

“It is a common misnomer that hammertoes are caused by tight shoes. Hammertoes are usually hereditary, but shoes can cause them to become extremely aggravated. Pain and irritation will generally occur on the top of the toe due to friction,” Greenfield says. “A corn, or build up of skin, may also develop and should be shaved down by a podiatrist.”

To help prevent hammertoes: 

• Wear properly fitting shoes, not too narrow or too short
• When wearing pantyhose, stockings or socks, make sure toes do not buckle
• Early identification is key
• Arch supports and shoe inserts may keep the condition from progressing.

The most important factor pertaining to all of these foot problems is early detection. The more quickly the foot problem is evaluated and the faster that treatment is implemented, the more likely the problem will dissipate or disappear altogether.

To find a podiatrist that is right for you, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258) or visit www.crozer.org.