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A B C D E F G H
I J K L M
N O P Q
R S T U V
W X Y Z
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[A]
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Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis causes inflammation and degeneration of the achilles tendon.
The achilles tendon is the large tendon located in the back of the leg that inserts
into the heel. The pain caused by achilles tendonitis can develop gradually without
a history of trauma. The pain can be a shooting pain, burning pain, or even an extremely
piercing pain. Achilles tendonitis should not be left untreated due to the danger
that the tendon can become weak and ruptured.Achilles Tendonitis is aggravated by
activities that repeatedly stress the tendon, causing inflammation. In some cases
even prolonged periods of standing can cause symptoms. It is a common problem often
experienced by athletes, particularly distance runners. Achilles Tendonitis is a
difficult injury to treat in athletes due to their high level of activity and reluctance
to stop or slow down their training.
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Arch Pain or Strain
The term arch pain (often referred to as arch strain) refers to an inflammation
and/or burning sensation at the arch of the foot.
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Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes red, dry, flaking skin, sometimes
accompanied by pain or itching. The condition usually occurs between the toes or
on the soles or sides of the feet. In its acute stage, the infected foot exhibits
blisters that itch or "weep." Athlete's Foot can spread to the toenails,
causing chronic fungal infections. Often when a patient thinks the feet are only
dry and cracking, Athlete’s Foot is responsible for the problem.
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[B]
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Bunions
Bunions, referred to in the medical community as Hallux Valgus, are one of the most
common forefoot problems. A bunion is a prominent bump on the inside of the foot
around the big toe joint. This bump is actually a bone protruding towards the inside
of the foot. With the continued movement of the big toe towards the smaller toes,
it is common to find the big toe resting under or over the second toe. This causes
a common forefoot condition called overlapping toes. Some of the symptoms of bunions
include inflammation, swelling, and soreness on the side surface of the big toe.
The discomfort commonly causes a patient to walk improperly. Another type of bunion
which some individuals experience is called a Tailor's Bunion, also known as a Bunionette.
This forms on the outside of the foot towards the joint at the little toe. It is
a smaller bump that forms due to the little toe moving inwards, towards the big
toe.
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[C]
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Calluses
The formation of calluses is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden
and thicken over an area of the foot. This callus formation is the body's defense
mechanism to protect the foot against excessive pressure and friction. Calluses
are normally found on the ball-of-the-foot, the heel, and/or the inside of the big
toe. Some calluses have a deep seated core known as a nucleation. This particular
type of callus can be especially painful to pressure. This condition is often referred
to as Intractable Plantar Keratosis.
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Claw Toe
A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end
joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons
that have tightened cause the toe's joints to curl downwards. Claw toes may occur
in any toe, except the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the
toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the end of the toe that is pressed against
the bottom of the shoe. Claw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe
joints. There are two types - flexible and rigid. In a flexible claw toe, the joint
has the ability to move. This type of claw toe can be straightened manually. A rigid
claw toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is very limited and can
be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading
to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development
of corns and calluses.
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Corns
Corns like calluses develop from an accumulation of dead skin cells on the foot,
forming thick, hardened areas. They contain a cone-shaped core with a point that
can press on a nerve below, causing pain. Corns are a very common ailment that usually
form on the tops, sides and tips of the toes. Corns can become inflamed due to constant
friction and pressure from footwear. Corns that form between the toes are sometimes
referred to as soft corns.
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[D]
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[E]
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[F]
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[G]
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[H]
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Hammer Toes
A hammer toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP joint (middle joint in the toe),
potentially leading to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have
tightened cause the toe's joints to curl downwards. Hammer toes may occur in any
toe except the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe due
to rubbing against the shoe. Hammer toes are classified based on the mobility of
the toe joints. There are two types - flexible and rigid. In a flexible hammer toe,
the joint has the ability to move. This type of hammer toe can be straightened manually.
A rigid hammer toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is very limited
and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted
leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the
development of corns and calluses.
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Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common condition in which weight bearing on the heel causes extreme
discomfort.
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Heel Spurs
The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock
and pressure. A heel spur develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Calcium
deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony
protrusion, or heel spur to develop. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous
tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the
forefoot. Heel spurs can cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially while standing
or walking.
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[I]
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[J]
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[K]
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[L]
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[M]
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Mallet Toes
Many disorders can affect the joints in the toes, causing pain and preventing the
foot from functioning as it should. A mallet toe occurs when the joint at the end
of the toe cannot straighten. Excessive rubbing of the mallet toe against the top
of the shoe can lead to pain and the development of a corn. The tip of the toe is
often turned down against the shoe causing pressure and discomfort.
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Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a general term used to denote a painful foot condition in the metatarsal
region of the foot (the area just before the toes, more commonly referred to as
the ball-of-the-foot). This is a common foot disorder that can affect the bones
and joints at the ball-of-the-foot. Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot-pain) is often located
under the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal heads, or more isolated at the first metatarsal
head (near the big toe).
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Morton's Neuroma
Morton's Neuroma is a common foot problem associated with pain, swelling and/or
an inflammation of a nerve, usually at the ball-of-the-foot between the 3rd and
4th toes. Symptoms of this condition include sharp pain, burning, and even a lack
of feeling in the affected area. Morton's Neuroma may also cause numbness, tingling,
or cramping in the forefoot.
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Morton's Toe
Morton's Toe is a common forefoot disorder where the second toe is longer than the
Big Toe (the Hallux).
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[N]
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Neuropathy
Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, 25% develop foot problems related
to the disease. This is primarily due to a condition called neuropathy. Diabetic
Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the nerves. The most common
type of diabetic neuropathy is called peripheral neuropathy and affects the peripheral
nerves. Peripheral nerves are the nerves that go out from the brain and spinal cord
to the muscles, skin, internal organs, and glands. Peripheral neuropathy impairs
proper functioning of these sensory and motor nerves. The most common symptoms of
neuropathy include numbness and loss of feeling, usually in the feet and hands.
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[O]
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Overlapping Toes
Many disorders can affect the joints in the toes, causing pain and preventing the
foot from functioning as it should. People of all ages can experience forefoot problems.
Overlapping toes can occur in any of the toes and can cause extreme irritation if
not corrected.
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Over-Pronation
Over-Pronation, or flat feet, is a common biomechanical problem that occurs in the
walking process when a person's arch collapses upon weight bearing. This motion
can cause extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, potentially causing
severe discomfort and leading to other foot problems.
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[P]
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Post-Tib Tendonitis
Post-Tib Tendonitis is a strain placed on the posterior tibial tendon. The posterior
tibial tendon runs along the inside of the ankle and the foot. When there is post-tibial
tendon disfunction, the tendon does not function to hold up the arch, resulting
in flat feet. This can lead to heel pain, arch pain, plantar fasciitis and/or heel
spurs. With post-tib tendonitis, pain will be more severe upon weight bearing, especially
while walking or running.
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Pregnancy and Foot
Pregnancy triggers many different changes in a woman's body. Many women have common
complaints throughout their pregnancy. One of these complaints, often overlooked,
is foot pain. Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, a woman's center
of gravity is completely altered. This causes a new weight-bearing stance and added
pressure to the knees and feet. Two of the most common foot problems experienced
by pregnant woman are over-pronation and edema. These problems can lead to pain
at the heel, arch, or the ball-of-foot. Many women may also experience leg cramping
and varicose veins due to weight gain. Because of this, it is important for all
pregnant women to learn more about foot health during their pregnancy to help make
this nine month period more comfortable for them.
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[Q]
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[R]
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[S]
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Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis is a common ailment that affects the forefoot, typically in young people
who engage in physical activity like running or dancing. Its most common symptom
is pain in the ball-of-the-foot, especially on the medial or inner side. The term
is a general description for any irritation of the sesamoid bones, which are tiny
bones within the tendons that run to the big toe. Like the kneecap, the sesamoids
function as a pulley, increasing the leverage of the tendons controlling the toe.
Every time you push off against the toe the sesamoids are involved, and eventually
they can become irritated, even fractured. Because the bones are actually within
the tendons, sesamoiditis is really a kind of tendinitis - the tendons around the
bones become inflamed as well.
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Shin Splints
Shin splints are a common lower extremity complaint, especially among runners and
other athletes. They are characterized by pain in the front or inside aspect of
the lower leg due to overexertion of the muscles. The pain usually develops gradually
without a history of trauma, and might begin as a dull ache along the front or inside
of the shin (Tibia) after running or even walking. Small bumps and tender areas
may become evident adjacent to the shin bone. The pain can become more intense if
not addressed, and shin splints should not be left untreated because of an increased
risk of developing stress fractures. Shin splints usually involve small tears in
the leg muscles where they are attached to the shin bone. The two types of shin
splints are: anterior shin splints, in the front portion of the tibia; and posterior
shin splints, occurring on the inside of the leg along the tibia.
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[T]
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Toenail Fungus
Toenail Fungus, known by physicians as Onychomycosis, affects about half of Americans
by the age of 70. It is relatively rare in children, but the incidence increases
with age. Fungus infections occur when microscopic fungi gain entry through a small
trauma in the nail, then grow and spread in the warm, moist environment inside the
patient's socks and shoes. Symptoms of toenail fungus, which can be caused by several
types of fungi, include swelling, yellowing, thickening or crumbling of the nail,
streaks or spots down the side of the nail, and even complete loss of the nail.
Toenail color can vary from brown or yellow to white with this condition. Fungal
infections can affect the fingernails as well as the toenails, but toenail fungus
is more difficult to treat because toenails grow more slowly. It occurs most often
on the big or small toe, but might occur on any toe.
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[U]
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[V]
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[W]
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[X]
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[Y]
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[Z]
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