Roxanne - Mobile Foot Health Practitioner

11/03/2024

Achilles tendonitis, occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot.
There are two large muscles in the calf. These create the power needed to push off with the foot or go up on the toes.
The large Achilles tendon connects these muscles to the heel and allows you to push your foot down. You use your Achilles tendon when walking, running, and jumping.
Tendonitis due to overuse is most common in younger people. It can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes. Tendonitis from arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older adults

The symptoms of achilles tendonitis include:

Pain in the heel and along the length of the tendon when walking or running
Pain and stiffness in the area in the morning
Pain in the achilles tendon when touched or moved
Swelling and warmth in the heel or along the tendon
Difficulty standing up on one toe

Diagnosis of Achilles Tendonitis

Your health care provider will first perform a physical exam. Your doctor will look for tenderness along the tendon and pain in the area of the tendon when you stand on your toes.
X-rays can help diagnose bone problems, and an MRI scan may be done if you are considering surgery or there is a chance that you have a tear in the Achilles tendon.

Treatment

Achilles tendonitis can often be treated without surgery. Your health care team can recommend changes to your normal activity that will help with your symptoms. A physical therapist can also show you stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon. It is important to remember that it may take at least two to three months for the pain of Achilles tendonitis to go away. If your pain does not improve, you may need surgery to remove inflamed tissue and abnormal areas of the tendon. If there is a bone spur irritating the tendon, surgery can be used to remove the spur

12/02/2024

Do you have cracked heels??

What are Cracked Heels?

A cracked heel is a common foot problem. It occurs when dry, thick skin on the bottom of your heels cracks and splits.

In most cases, if the cracks are minor, it’s merely a nuisance and may be unattractive to look at, but if left untreated and the heel fissures become deeper, it can be painful to walk and may become infected.

Causes & Risk Factors

There are several stages of developing a cracked heel. The first sign is the formation of dry, hard skin around the heel — these are called calluses. As you walk and put more pressure on the area, the fat pads under your heels expand, causing these calluses to start to develop small cracks.

Other factors that can cause cracked heels include:

Being on your feet for long periods of time, especially on hard floors
Hard and unsupportive footwear, like open-back sandals and shoes
Walking around barefoot as this provides no support for your feet
Obesity
Taking long, hot showers
Chronic conditions such as diabetes
Over time, the cracks will become deeper and they may begin to bleed. In severe cases, the cracks can lead to infection and if you are a diabetic, cracked heels can lead to diabetic foot ulcerations.

Symptoms
As well as the physical appearance of dry and cracked skin on your heels, you may also experience the following symptoms:

Pain and discomfort, especially while standing
Itchiness in the area
Bleeding from the cracks
Flaky skin
Warmth, redness & swelling may be present if there is an infection
Treatment
How do you usually treat dry skin? You moisturise!

If your condition is minor, start by moisturising your heels 2-3 times per day to help relieve your symptoms. You can use a pumice stone prior to moisturising, to remove any hard, dead skin that may prevent the moisturiser from sinking in effectively.

After a week of general foot care, if your symptoms persist, it may be time to consult a foot health professional.

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01/01/2024

Did you know …..
Toenail and hair growth can indicate good circulation
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01/01/2024

27/11/2023

Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)

What is diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is when diabetes causes damage to your nerves. It can affect different types of nerves in your body, including in your feet, organs and muscles.

Nerves carry messages between the brain and every part of our bodies so that we can see, hear, feel and move. They also carry signals to parts of the body such as the heart, making it beat at different speeds, and the lungs, so we can breathe.

Damage to the nerves can therefore cause serious problems in various parts of the body for people with type 1, type 2 or other types of diabetes.

Neuropathy is one of the long-term complications of diabetes.

Over time, high blood glucose (sugar) levels can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in your body. This stops essential nutrients reaching the nerves. As a result, the nerve fibres can become damaged, and they may disappear. This can cause problems in many different parts of your body, depending on the type of nerve affected.

Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?

No, diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed (but the symptoms can be treated).

Once the nerves have been damaged they cannot repair themselves.

But careful diabetes management including keeping your blood sugars as close to target as possible, and managing blood fat levels and blood pressure can prevent the damage from happening or prevent further damage if you already have some of the symptoms.

Treatment for diabetic neuropathy

There are many treatments available to relieve the symptoms caused by neuropathy.

This may include medication for nausea and vomiting, painkillers for sensory neuropathy.

Keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range and also your blood fat levels (cholesterol) and blood pressure can also help to improve the symptoms of neuropathy and reduce the progression of the nerve damage.

Diabetic neuropathy pain

Why is diabetic neuropathy so painful?

The nerves carry chemical messages to and from the brain about what we can feel. When the nerves are damaged these messages cannot be sent properly which leads to a change in sensation or feeling. This can lead to feelings of numbness, tingling, burning, discomfort or shooting pains.

My diabetic clients will often say… ‘ my feet don’t feel like my own’ - this is due to nerve damage.

Sometimes these sensations can be worse at night. We are not sure exactly why this is, but could be to do with cooler temperatures in the evening, stress at the end of a long day and fewer distractions in the evening meaning you notice the pain more.

Living with any type of long-term pain (whether you can always feel it or you regularly get periods of pain), can be very distressing and have a negative impact on your mental health and general wellbeing. If you are experiencing regular or frequent pain which you are struggling to cope with you should contact your GP for advice and support.

30/10/2023

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a deformity of the big toe. The big toe moves towards the other toes (this bending over is called hallux valgus) leading to a prominence (the bunion) on the inner side of the big toe joint and a wider foot.

What are the symptoms?

•Pain, swelling and redness are common symptoms. These tend to be worse when walking.
•The big toe can rub against the other toes, sometimes sitting on top or under the other toes.
•Problems with fitting your foot into certain shoes due to the prominence and the width of the foot.
•Hard lumps on the sides of your feet, by your big toes.
•Your big toe pointing towards your other toes.

•Hard or swollen skin. The bunion may look red or darker than the surrounding skin.

What can cause the condition?

The causes vary but can include:

Poorly fitting or tight shoes.
A possible hereditary link (they often run in families).
Inflammatory arthritic conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
Certain neurological conditions and muscle imbalances in the foot.
How can bunions be treated?

There are a number of non-operative treatments, including:

Footwear

Wide-fitting, low-heeled, extra-depth shoes with soft uppers will allow for the extra width of the foot, any under-riding or over-riding of the big toe and the prominence. This will reduce the pressure over these areas. Running trainers are also an excellent option. You must avoid tight fitting or high-heeled shoes.

Insoles (orthoses)

If your bunion is associated with a flat foot or some degenerative changes in the big toe joint (pain and stiffening of the joint), insoles (also known as orthoses) may be recommended. These will fit in to shoes with a wide, deep toe box area or running trainers.

Toe splints / Bunion protectors

Toe splints and spacers may help to reduce any rubbing in between the big toe and the other toes. Padding over or around the bunion may also be helpful providing you have wide shoes or running trainers.

Weight

Try to manage your weight as being overweight is likely to increase your foot pain. Pain medication - If you experience pain, then some simple pain medication may help. If you are unsure what to take then this can be discussed with your Foot & Ankle Specialist, local pharmacist or GP.

Injections

A corticosteroid (steroid) injection may be suggested alongside some of the above treatments. This helps reduce inflammation and may be helpful if you have pain and stiffness in the joint due to arthritis.

Surgery

If you have very little or no relief from these non-surgical treatments, your Foot & Ankle Practitioner may suggest you consider surgery if you are fit and well enough.

Surgery may involve cutting the bones and re-positioning them (known as osteotomies) or fusing the big toe (i.e. stiffening the big toe joint). You will normally need to be in a surgical shoe for about 6-8 weeks after such procedures.

Be kind to your feet 👣

02/10/2023

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a skin infection caused by fungus. A fungal infection may occur on any part of the body; on the foot, it is called athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis. Fungus commonly attacks the feet because it thrives in a dark, moist and warm environment, such as a shoe.

Fungal infections are more common in warm weather when feet tend to sweat more. Fungus thrives in damp areas, such as swimming pools, showers and locker rooms. Athletes often have sweaty feet and use the facilities where fungus is commonly found, thus the term "athlete's foot."

Athlete's foot usually produces itchy, dry, scaling skin. It is commonly seen on the soles of the feet and in between the toes. In advanced cases, inflammation, cracks and blisters may form; an infection caused by bacteria can also result. The fungus can spread to other areas of the body, including toenails.

Avoiding walking barefoot combined with good foot hygiene can help reduce the spread of the fungus. Feet should be washed every day with soap and water and thoroughly dried, including between the toes. Feet should be kept as dry as possible. If your feet sweat a lot you may need to change your socks during the day. Antifungal powders, sprays and/or creams are often used to treat athlete's foot.

25/09/2023

Foot fact… 👣👣

Did you know your feet can continue to grow?

Even though your feet will settle at around age 20, their shape and size will continue to change over the rest of your life.
In fact once you hit 40, your feet grow by as much as half a shoe size every 10 years!
This is because feet flatten and elongate with age. Strangely, your feet will also grow slightly if you become pregnant, mostly owing to hormones and the increased weight you’ll be carrying around!

14/08/2023

Did you know…

Your feet have about 250,000 sweat glands which produce up to half a pint of perspiration each day!
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01/08/2023

Ageing feet 👣 ….

Painful and uncomfortable feet aren’t a natural part of growing old or something to put up with. A lot can be done to improve comfort, relieve pain and maintain mobility.

Exercise

Keeping active and on the move helps to keep feet healthy. It tones up muscles, helps to strengthen arches and stimulates blood circulation.

General foot care and protection

Keeping toenails cut and under control is key as nails that become too long can press against the end of the shoe causing soreness, infection and ulceration. Toenails that have been poorly cut can also become ingrown.

Additionally, checking your feet regularly, daily if necessary, and moisturising them (but not between the toes) will help to keep them supple as feet start to dry out and lose their natural oils as they age. We also start to lose the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of the feet, and soles and heels become dry and nails brittle and more difficult to manage.

Keeping your feet warm is also important, but do not warm them too close to the fire! Warm stockings or socks can help, but avoid anything too tight which can restrict your circulation or cramp your toes. Wearing fleece-lined boots or shoes or even an extra pair of socks will also keep you warm but do make sure your shoes aren’t tight as a result. Bed socks are also a good idea.

Footwear

The older you get, the more important it is to wear a shoe that is comfortable, well-fitting and holds your foot firmly in place to give adequate support. Many people wear slippers if their feet are hurting but this can make things worse as slippers encourage you to shuffle rather than letting the joints work as they should. A pair of running shoes is the best option as these provide a degree of shock absorption and stability and also support the arch.

Avoid plastic easy-clean uppers, which don’t allow the foot to breathe and won’t stretch to accommodate your own foot shape.

Many shoes have cushioning or shock-absorbing soles to give you extra comfort while walking. When buying shoes, ensure that you can put them on and take them off easily. Check that the heel is held firmly in place: you’ll find that a lace, strap, buckle or velcro-fastening shoe will give more support and comfort than a slip-on.

Your shoes should be roomy enough, particularly if you intend to wear them every day. If you suffer with swollen feet, it’s a good idea to put your shoes on as soon as you wake up, before your feet have had a chance to swell.

Be kind to your feet 👣

05/07/2023

I do enjoy a corn … 😉

29/06/2023

Do you have sweaty 👣👣👣

Most of us have suffered from foot perspiration and odour from time to time, yet for some people, sweaty feet (along with sweaty palms and armpits) are a persistent problem, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. For some people, this can significantly affect their day-to-day life, and result in decreased social contact with others. But the condition is treatable.

There are more sweat glands per inch in our feet than anywhere else in the body. Their function is to keep the skin moist and supple and regulate temperature when the weather is hot, if you have an unnaturally high temperature or while exercising. They secrete all the time, not just in response to heat or exercise, like elsewhere in the body.

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, has a lot to do with how the sweat glands in the feet work. With 250,000 sweat glands, feet do tend to sweat more than other parts of the body, but with a daily hygiene routine few people should suffer from the embarrassment that it may cause.

What causes the problem?

Sweaty feet (along with palms and armpits and the face/scalp) tend to be symmetrical. The exact cause of sweaty feet is unknown but it is due mainly to overactive sweat glands. In some cases, the cause can be genetic.

Other possible causes include stress on the foot caused by a structural problem, or because the foot is under strain or tired, for example when you have been standing on your feet all day.

Is it serious?

Although hot weather can make matters worse, sweaty feet is both a summer and a winter problem as well as an inherited condition. It tends to be a long-term condition, which may require treatment over a sustained period of time.

In some cases, sweaty feet can lead to Athlete’s Foot or blisters.

Who gets it?

In adolescents and people under 25, sweaty feet are probably caused by overactive sweat glands triggered by changing hormone levels in the body. As the sweat glands on the soles of the feet (and palms of the hand) respond mostly to emotions, both mental and emotional stress is a common cause.

How do I know I have the condition?

An added problem that often accompanies sweaty feet and signifies its presence is foot odour caused by bacteria on the skin breaking down the sweat and releasing an offensive smell.

How do I prevent it?

Following a simple daily foot hygiene routine is usually effective in dealing with sweaty feet. This may include:

Washing your feet with anti-bacterial soap
Applying cream and/or using an absorbent foot powder
Not wearing the same footwear every day
Rotating what shoes you wear so they have a chance to dry out.
Wearing socks is also essential especially those that absorb moisture like wool, cotton or a wool/cotton mixture. In addition, detachable insoles (and medicated insoles that have a deodorising effect) are recommended as a lot of sweat is absorbed by insoles or the uppers of shoes.

In terms of footwear, well-fitting shoes made of leather, which allow your feet to breathe, are considered best.

What are the treatments?

For more serious cases where normal foot care is not effective and for more longer term conditions, your doctor may refer you for Iontophoresis (electrical stimulation) and Botulinum toxin injections (botox).

Be kind to your feeet 👣👣