Dr. Spitz’s Top Ten List of Common Foot Problems

Feb. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- This week - a Top Ten List you're not likely to see on David Letterman's show: my own TOP TEN LIST OF COMMON FOOT PROBLEMS, along with their causes and recommended treatments:

10 BUNIONS AND HAMMERTOES CAUSES: ill-fitting shoes, arch problems, injury, heredity.  Treatments:  proper fitting shoes, pads, splints, surgery if necessary.

9 FLAT FEET (can make walking painful).  Causes:  ill-fitting shoes, arch problems, injury, nerve damage, heredity.  Treatments: orthotics or shoes with proper arch support.

8 GOUT severe and sudden pains, usually around the big toe joint Cause: elevated uric acid.  Treatment:  special diet and medication prescribed by your doctor.

7 ATHLETE’S FOOT   inflamed and itchy skin, usually between the toes.  Cause:  fungal infection.  Treatment:  topical medications to "kill" the fungal infection.

6 PLANTARS WARTS  Painful cluster of growths on the bottom of the feet.  Cause: viral infection.  Treatments:  topical medications, including salicylic acid and others, administered by a podiatrist; laser surgery.

5 PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY  pain, burning, numbness and tingling in the feet. Causes: diabetes, post chemotherapy, spinal problems, and others.  Treatments: laser therapy, infrared therapy, topical medications, nutritional supplements, many others.

4  PLANTAR FASCIITIS/HEEL PAIN. Cause: inflammation of a broad ligament on the bottom of the foot.  Treatment: orthotics, physical therapy, night splints, stretching exercises and cortisone injections when necessary.

3  THICKENED YELLOW FUNGAL TOENAILS (MYCOTIC TOENAILS). Cause: fungal infection of the nail cells.  Treatment:  topical medications such as Mycocide®, Lotrimin®, Tinactin® and others.

2  CORNS AND CALLUSES.  Causes: ill-fitting shoes, arch problems, injury. Treatments: proper shoes, pads, orthotics.

1  INGROWN TOENAIL.  Cause:  the nail grows crooked, penetrating the skin.  Treatment:  proper cutting of the toenails, removal of the embedded toenail by a podiatrist.

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The Foot Pain Center was established in 1974 by Dr. Marc Spitz. An all-inclusive practice, we offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic medical care for patients with general foot and toenail disorders, diabetic problems and peripheral neuropathy.