FAQ For the Podiatrist
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of a structure, an elastic band, on the sole of the foot, which can go from the heel to the metatarsal area (under the toes).
It usually hurts when taking the first steps in the morning. In the case of athletes, the pain will begin at the end of the sporting activity.
The way of walking, especially in pronators, is a very common cause of having plantar fasciitis. After conducting a footprint study, it can be treated with painkillers and a foot template to correct the footprint.
Due to a lack of hydration, the skin of the heel can become cracked, which can be very painful.
To avoid this, good hydration with specific creams is essential, since the skin on the heel is usually thicker than in other parts of the body. If the cracks bleed or hurt, you will have to go to a specialist, so that they can perform a treatment to heal them.
Plantar warts are due to the human papilloma virus, as a virus, it is usually contagious especially in humid and aqueous environments, such as swimming pools or saunas.
Prevention is very important, always wearing flip flops and drying your feet very well after showering.
It can cause pain and tenderness when walking on the affected area of the foot.
If you suspect you have a corn or plantar wart you will have to go to the podiatrist to treat them and thus avoid contagion.
They are the excellent footwear in summer, we must not forget the function they have: prevention for the contagion of fungi, papillomas in changing rooms, gyms and swimming pools.
However wearing flip-flops can trigger problems of: instability, not having ankle support, plantar fasciitis because flip flops are very flat and the heel area takes all the impact of your weight and claw toes due to your feet trying to find good support, which in turn will make your toes “curl”. Therefore, it is recommended to wear flip flops only when you go to swimming pools and gyms and not your daily activities.
The ideal nail cut is straight and clean, avoiding leaving the edges of the nails neither longer nor shorter than the rest.
If they are flexible, silicone orthoses can be made to slow down the pathology, so that they disappear completely, you will have to undergo surgery.
Yes, in fact in women it is more common to have this pathology, because they wear narrow and pointed shoes. To avoid bunions, it is very important to wear wide footwear without pinching the big toe area.
Stretches can be done with an elastic band, pulling the toe area back to stretch the fascia and heel. It could also be combined with exercises with a tennis ball by rolling it with your foot.
It is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis, if they continue to hurt you will have to go to a specialist to carry out a study of the footprint.
Plantar orthotics or insoles help prevent injuries, create an improved foot position and thus help you achieve a good footprint. We avoid pain and injuries with orthotics designed to measure the foot.
The ideal is to do two check-ups a year, if there is no pathology such as diabetes, obesity or hypertension, in which case we will have to go more frequently to take care of our feet.
The first thing is to know what causes the bad smell of the feet, if it is due to hyperhidrosis (excess sweating of the feet) or if there is some pathology such as fungus or athlete’s foot. Your specialist can guide you in the best treatment depending on the pathology you have.
Someone with a diabetic foot, considered at risk, should go to the podiatrist every two months.
Yes, when severe cases of diabetic foot are reached, they may not feel anything on the soles of their feet, that is why it is vitally important to go for regular check-ups.
Diabetic socks are designed without seams to avoid diabetic wounds or ulcers. If you suffer from diabetes you can always use them and check that inside the shoe there is no edge or stone that could bother you.
Plantar orthoses in children should be changed every year, in adults every 4-5 years, depending on their use.
It depends on why the insoles treatment has been suggested to you, generally in children, when the pathology is corrected, they can be discontinued as long as revisions are made to know that everything is normal. Plantar orthoses will always help to have a better footprint.
The first four or five days you will feel awkward when walking and you may notice stiffness, in a matter of a week you should be used to it.