Banishing Foot Pain Once And For All

Although flat feet affect a significant part of the population, so does diabetes.  Like those with flat feet, people with diabetes can develop foot pain.   However, the foot condition that affects diabetics is called diabetic distal symmetric sensory polyneuropathy, better known as diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that results in the loss of sensation in the feet.  Diabetic neuropathy often develops from poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet.

Poor blood circulation can occur in diabetics when the arteries harden from: smoking; high blood pressure; high fat levels in the blood; high blood sugar.  When arteries harden, the feet receive poor blood flow which also slows down healing.   Poor blood supply symptoms include:
• Cold feet
• Leg pain during walking
• Foot pain while sleeping

Nerve damage can be a hazardous condition.  This is because it is through the nerves that the brain registers sensations.  Someone with nerve damage may not realize that they have an injury such as a cut or blister.  If not taken care of, these minor foot injuries can develop into ulcers, and if the ulcer isn’t taken care of, gangrene can develop which can lead to amputation.

Nerve damage symptoms include:
• Pins and needles, pain, or shooting pain in the feet
• Numbness in the feet
• Burning sensation in the feet, especially on the soles

Preventing foot problems

There are many things that can be done to prevent foot injury and alleviate discomfort.  The following are some preventative tips –

Tip 1 –Monitor your blood sugar levels and carefully follow the diet provided by your health care provider.  Controlling your blood sugar helps lower the risk of nerve damage.

Tip 2 – Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, lose weight, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and reduce stress.  

Tip 3 – Wash your feet daily with tepid water and mild soap.  Dry your feet thoroughly, particularly between the toes.  Also, inspect your feet daily for blisters, cuts, color changes, or any other signs of injury. 

Tip 4 – Maintain short toenails by cutting the nails straight across.  Be sure to file down any rough edges.

Tip 5 – Wear shoes that are properly fitted to your foot and provide you with support.  Your toes should be able to move freely, and you shouldn’t have to “break in” the shoe.  Avoid wearing heals or shoes with pointed toes or going barefoot (even in your home).  Ask a podiatrist for recommendations.

Tip 5 –Have your doctor examine your feet on a regular basis (at least annually) to check for poor circulation or nerve damage.

Treating foot problems

If you have developed an injury or condition, keep the following in mind:

Corns or calluses – Never try to remove these on your own, or with over-the-counter treatments.  The skin on your feet is very sensitive and you don’t want to risk causing further injury.  Have a podiatrist remove them.

Cuts or blisters – Use a mild antiseptic to clean the injury such as liquid savlon.  Cover the injury with fresh gauze and surgical tape – not a band-aid.

Pain – if you are experiencing pain in your feet, try taking general pain relief medication such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  However, these pain relievers may not be enough, and you may require prescription meds from your doctor.

When to seek the assistance of your doctor

Although it is not necessary for you to bring every cut or blister to your doctor or podiatrists attention, you should seek medical attention when:
• An injury or cut becomes red or does not heal within 2 days.
• You develop throbbing, swelling, heat, pain, or discoloration in your feet.

Remember, most diabetic foot pain issues can be prevented when you take care of yourself and your feet, and you respond quickly to problems.

For more information on all varieties of Foot Pain and how to effectively treat them, please sign up for a free Foot Pain Relief newsletter.

Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, is a condition that occurs when the arch in the foot collapses.  The collapse of the arch causes the entire sole of the foot to come into complete contact, or almost in complete contact, with the floor.  As a result, people with flat feet are unable to tread normally and are forced to alter their steps.

What causes flat feet? 
• Genetics - In most cases, (approximately 20-30% of the population) flat feet is genetic and both feet are affected.  Those born with naturally flat feet usually have a malformed joint, or two or more bones may have merged together that caused the feet to become stiff and flat. 
• Injury that causes stiffness and distorts the foot joints such as a ruptured tendon
• Arthritis
• Illness – Diseases that affect the nervous system or muscles (I.E. spian bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy) can cause flat feet because muscles become week and stiff, and can no longer function effectively together. 
• Natural aging process
• Pregnancy – Sometimes pregnant women develop flat feet from the temporary changes caused by an increase in elastin in their body.

Usually, flat feet is a permanent condition.

What symptoms can occur from having flat feet?  People with flat feet are at a higher risk of developing foot problems because they suffer from over-pronation.  Over-pronation is when the feet roll excessively inward due to the stress overload placed on the ligaments and tendons of the ankle.  This weakens the ankle and inside portion of the foot causing it to turn inward.  Over-pronation can lead to painful symptoms including -

Bunions – A deformity of the big toe that occurs when the joint becomes misaligned and protrude outward. 

Calluses – When the big toe loses flexibility, calluses usually occur under the sole of the foot near the second toe where stress is being placed.

Hammer toes – When the angle of the big toe increases inward, it begins to slide under the second toe.  As a result, the metatarsal bone rises up and causes a hammer toe to form.

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs – The Achilles tendon becomes shorter and pulls up on the heel of a person with flat feet, causing the arch to flatten and the foot to become longer.  Thus, the plantar fascia (tight band of muscle under the foot arch) becomes abnormally stretched, which can lead to pain in the heel bone (plantar fasciitis) and heel spurs.

Low back pain – This usually occurs due to strain on the sciatic nerve.  This nerve links the lower back to the foot via the leg.  The strain is typically caused by repeated shock from running and over-pronation.

Finding relief from symptoms – There are different methods for treating flat feet, such as –

• Stretching exercises – Engage in exercises (2 – 3 times daily) that focus on the arch of your foot and Achilles’ tendons (IE. rolling your foot back and forth over a rolling pin or foot gymnastics).  This will help increase flexibility and reduce the stress and pain felt by these areas.

• Lose weight – If you are overweight, losing weight helps to provide relief for your feet.

• Wear supportive shoes – Keep an eye on the stability of your footwear.  Don’t wear shoes that are worn, tight, or tilt inwards.  These shoes only increase your risk of injury and pain.  Also, use orthotic insoles for your shoes to provide your foot with better support.

• See a professional – If you suffer from chronic discomfort or pain, seek the attention of a foot specialist such as a podiatrist or orthopedist.  They can help provide you with proper shoes and orthotics that are custom made for your foot.  They can also recommend exercises and even surgery if it is in the patient’s best interest.

 
For more information on all varieties of Foot Pain and how to effectively treat them, please sign up for a free Foot Pain Relief newsletter.