Common Foot Conditions for Sportspersons

Podiatrists

The foot is one of the most common body parts that can get injured due to sports participation be it a minor or a major injury. You should consult certified and experienced podiatrists whenever you experience any of these issues. At John The Footman, we specialize in all areas of sports foot injuries.

Most Common Foot Issues for Sports Enthusiasts

Hamstring Injuries: Getting injuries in the hamstring muscle is common. Sports like cricket, football, volleyball or badminton demand constant and vigorous leg movement, which can cause such issues. You need to visit your podiatrist and get suggestions about exercises and pain-relief medicines.

Runner’s Knee: Patellofemoral stress syndrome is commonly known as runner’s knee. In this particular condition, your knee cap rubs against your thigh bone whenever you run or walk fast. This is a common symptom for runners and athletes. Your doctor may suggest customised foot orthotics to heal this condition and keep your knees in their correct position.

Plantar Fasciitis: This one is common not only for sportspersons but for dancers as well. Feeling pain, discomfort and inflammation in a dense band of your tissue are collectively known as the plantar fascia. One can feel the pain from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot.

Stress Fractures: Athletes and sportspersons can have injuries and small cracks in bones. Regular and excessive foot movement or stress can cause such fracture. You can see this type of fracture in runners’ midfoot bones.

No matter what type of injury you have, consulting a certified and licensed podiatrist is recommended for treatment and long-lasting relief.

The experts will examine your foot condition and diagnose the problem. Next, they will offer you the right treatment, which includes exercises, medicine and other therapies.

At John the Footman, we offer a range of examinations and treatments for sports injuries. Please get in touch with us to know all the details.

Common Signs Indicating That You Should Visit a Podiatrist

Podiatrist

A certified and experienced podiatrist offers treatments to people with different foot problems.  It can be foot pain, strains, stiffness or other types of complaints.

Apart from the obvious reasons like injuries or diabetes, you should be aware of the common signs indicating that your foot needs the care of an expert.

Most Common Symptoms of Foot Issues

  • Pain, Swelling and Numbness:

    You can have foot pain, swelling or numbness after sitting in one position for long hours or standing on your feet all day. This is normal. But, if you experience sudden and unexplained pain, stiffness, and numbness in one foot, you should consider it as a sign of a serious health issue and try consulting a podiatrist.

  • Nail Fungus:

    If you notice pain in toenails due to a fungus infection, you must book a trip to your nearest podiatry clinic.

  • Prolonged Heel Pain:

    People experiencing continuous heel pain for an extended period should not neglect it. They must book an appointment with a reliable and experienced podiatrist to know the reason for this issue and get proper treatment.

  • Bunions:

    The growth of a bony bump outside the big toe joint can be extremely painful. The podiatrist will suggest an X-ray to know the cause of such growth. Then, he can suggest the right treatment depending upon the type and size of your bunions.

John the Footman is a part of Advanced Footcare Group located in Dorking. We offer comprehensive foot care services to patients with different types of foot issues. We also offer custom made orthotic insoles to match your needs.

Know The Differences Between A Chiropodist And Podiatrist

chiropodist

One of the primary reasons why people fail to treat their foot pain at the right time is because they are not sure whether they should visit a podiatrist or chiropodist. Though both these professionals specialise in dealing with various types of foot conditions, they undergo different types of training.

According to a survey conducted recently, people who were earlier referred to as chiropodists are nowadays known as podiatrists. The latter undergo training and can deal with various issues and foot conditions. If you are suffering from diabetic ulcers, biomechanics or other dermatological problems, you can get in touch with a podiatrist.

3 Reasons To Approach A Podiatrist Or Chiropodist

  • Diabetes

You might have diabetes once your body becomes incapable of making adequate insulin or can’t use it the right way. The chances of damaging the nerves in your feet will increase if you have diabetes. It might also reduce the flow of blood to your feet. If you want to prevent the condition from causing severe complications in your feet, get in touch with a podiatrist or chiropodist. They are aware of the early warning signs and will offer proper treatment and advice.

  • Bunions And Hammertoes

Get in touch with a podiatrist if you notice that the big toe has started deviating towards the lesser toes. Bunions can happen due to a wide variety of reasons and often become a cause of embarrassment and stress. Even if the condition is painless, you will have a tough time when buying footwear. Hammer’s toes is also a very common foot condition when the lesser toes become incapable of straightening up and remains fixed in a bent position.

  • Heel Pain

Since our feet have to take a lot of strain and stress every day, it might become painful at times. Instead of ignoring the heel pain, get in touch with a chiropodist. Two common reasons for heel pain are poor footwear or spraining your leg while playing sports. Chiropodists and podiatrists generally conduct a biomechanical gait analysis assessment to diagnose the condition before customising a suitable treatment plan.

Why Visit The Footman To Treat Foot Conditions?

If you are not yet sure whether you should visit a podiatrist or a chiropodist to treat your foot conditions, trust John The Footman. He specialises in both podiatry and chiropody care. With more than 40 years of experience in treating various foot problems, he can deliver complete podiatric care.

3 Easy Foot Care Tips By Podiatrists For Diabetic Patients

Foot Clinic

If you think that the only responsibility of a diabetic patient is to control their blood sugar levels, this is not the case. Not everyone is aware of the fact that diabetics can have a devastating effect on your body, including your feet. If you want to keep it protected and reduce the risk of an infection, get in touch with an experienced podiatrist. They will assess the condition of your feet and share a few easy foot care tips to avoid any complication. They will also let you know whether the foot care products available in the market will irritate your skin or increase the risk of infection.

Few Foot Care Tips For Diabetic Patients

  • Inspect Your Feet Everyday

Take a closer look at your feet and check whether there is any crack, wound or sore. If you can’t see your feet clearly, place a mirror below your feet or ask your friend to do a visual inspection and inform you if they notice a sore or cracks. Nerve damage is very common among diabetic patients which can lead to cracks and sores in your feet. If you ever notice that the skin has become cracked or dry or there is a change in its colour, it’s time to visit a podiatrist.

  • Don’t Test Water Temperature With Your Feet

If you have the tendency to check whether the bath water is too hot or cold using your feet. Neuropathy or nerve damage might make your feet less sensitive to temperature. You might not even realise that the hot water is scalding your skin before it’s too late. Severe damages in your feet like burns and blisters can even increase the risk of a foot infection. If you want to check the water temperature in the bathtub or shower, use your elbow and not your feet.

  • Avoid Staying Barefoot

Every trained podiatrist will advice diabetic patients to avoid walking barefoot, irrespective of whether they are walking inside or outside their home. Choose shoes which will cover your feet completely and reduce the chances of penetration by splinters, small cuts or scrapes. Neuropathy makes diabetic patients incapable of noticing these damages until they become infected.

These being said, it’s time every diabetic patient starts following the tips stated above and visit a podiatrist at fixed intervals.

Know More About Bunions Before Approaching A Podiatrist

Foot Clinic

If a bump has developed on the side of your big toe, get in touch with experienced podiatrists and they will let you know whether it is a bunion. Bunions generally occur due to abnormality of the foot bone, which prevents the big toe from being straight. It starts leaning towards the second toe. This creates an angle which looks like a bump on your toe. Don’t ignore the foot condition just because it is painless. The toes might start crowding over time. Not only will this cause pain but might also lead to permanent deformity.

Causes

A majority of the podiatrists believe that bunions are a genetic condition. They generally occur if the foot structure is faulty and is considered to be inherited. Few other conditions for which a bunion can develop are excessively flexible ligaments, flat feet and abnormal bone structure. It might also occur if your shoes don’t fit properly. Since there are various reasons why a bunion might develop in your feet, get in touch with an experienced podiatrist and let them assess the condition. 

Few Things Which Aggrevate Bunions

  • Symptoms of arthritis in your feet.
  • Standing for a prolonged period of time.
  • Wearing shoes with pointy toes or high heels. 
  • Wearing too small or tight shoes which put more pressure on the big toe.

7 Common Signs And Symptoms Of A Bunion

  • Skin on the side of the big toe is becoming inflamed or red.
  • The skin below your big toe is becoming thick.
  • You can’t move your big toe with ease.
  • The second toe has calluses.
  • Big toe leaning towards other toes.
  • Persistent or repetitive foot pain
  • Difficulty in walking

4 Signs You Need To Consult A Podiatrist

  • Constant pain in your foot
  • The big toe is losing flexibility
  • Can’t find shoes which fits you comfortably
  • A large lump has developed near the big toe joint

Diagnosis

Get in touch with a renowned podiatrist in Farnham if you ever notice any of the signs and symptoms stated above. They will conduct a visual inspection and diagnose the issue. They might ask you to move the toe back and forth during the physical exam to check whether your movement has become limited. They generally suggest an X-ray if they feel that there is some underlying injury or deformity. The X-ray helps in assessing the severity of the issue and its cause. They might also suggest you to get a blood test done to check whether it has occurred due to arthritis.

2 Methods Of Treatment

  • Non-Surgical Treatment

If the issue is a minor one, the podiatrist might suggest you to wear shoes with padded sole and sufficient room for your toes. You can even minimise the pressure on the bunion by tapping your foot into a normal position. Some podiatrists suggest their patients to take over-the-counter pain relievers.

  • Surgeries

Surgery might be required if the non-surgical treatment options are not effective. Bunions can be treated through various surgical procedures. Let your podiatrist assess the condition and suggest the most suitable procedure.

Since your knowledge about bunions has enhanced, it’s time you approach a reputed podiatrist and treat the issue without any delay.