Foot problems - advice and support

Your feet are one of the most complex parts of your body. Each foot consists of 26 bones which are connected by many joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments which have to work together to support your body’s weight. The complicated biomechanics involved mean that your feet are subject to a wide range of potential problems which in turn can affect your mobility and quality of life.

We've outlined some of the most common foot problems below, courtesy of Foot Solutions Plymouth. If any of these problems are affecting your daily life, it's worth getting support and finding out how you can give your foot problems the boot.

Plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, is inflammation caused by excessive stretching of a broad band of fibrous tissue running along the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. In addition to plantar fasciitis, excessive stretching of the plantar fascia can also lead to other conditions including heel pain, arch pain, and heel spurs.

With Plantar Fasciitis, the pain is most often felt on the underside of the foot  where the heel and arch meet. Pain is often worse first thing in the morning, or after a long rest. This is because the plantar fascia contracts back to its original shape during rest. Pain often eases during the day as the plantar fascia continues to be stretched.

A Bunion is a bony protrusion of the big toe joint that causes friction and pain when wearing tight shoes. It’s a common condition that mainly affects women due continued wearing of inappropriate footwear. If the big toe looks distorted and protrudes from the side of the foot, it may be a symptom of a bunion.

Callus formation is an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the foot. This callus formation is our body’s defence 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.

Arch pain: The human foot is a complex  structure that bears both the static weight of the body and the immense generated during walking and running. Each foot comprises horizontal and lateral arches, twenty six bones plus numerous muscles, tendons and ligaments which all play important roles in weight-bearing and impact absorption. Problems can occur when something goes wrong in any of these structure.

If you'd like to know more about a specific foot issue, you'll find an abundance of helpful information online at https://www.footsolutionsplymouth.co.uk/foot-problems/ Alternatively, you can call Foot Solutions Plymouth on 01752 222660.