Sesamoiditis

What is sesamoiditis? Sesamoiditis is a health condition that involves inflammation in the sesamoid bones of the feet. One of several types of foot conditions treated with custom made foot orthotics in young people that take part in physical activities such as dancing or football.

Most people have two sesamoid bones on each foot, which are located behind the big toe at the bottom of the feet. However, some people have bipartite sesamoids, resulting in four pieces of the bones in each foot. The primary role of the sesamoid bones is to support the flexor tendons in the feet, which are responsible for the downward movement of the big toe.

Sesamoiditis is one of many types of foot conditions that can benefit from custom made foot orthotics as it involves inflammation and pain of the sesamoids, usually resulting from a particular event that caused the big toe to suddenly bend upwards and injuring the bone.

CAUSES

How do I cure sesamoiditis? There are a number of factors that can cause damage to the sesamoids and lead to inflammation in the area. Individuals who participate in physical activity that places stress on the toe-end of the feet are at an increased risk of sesamoiditis. This may include dancers, soccer players, football players and catchers or pitchers in baseball.

Inappropriate footwear can also contribute to these types of foot conditions that require custom made foot orthotics for correctness. Wearing high heels that redistribute significant weight to the big toe area. In some cases, simply falling over can cause damage and the presentation of symptoms. In the majority of cases of sesamoiditis, the patient has recently increased the duration or intensity of the physical activity that is likely to have caused the injury.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
Pain and inflammation are the primary symptoms of sesamoiditis. Individuals with the condition often report that the pain worsens during activities that put pressure on the foot, such as walking.

Distinct from other conditions of the forefoot, sesamoiditis usually has a gradual onset as it results from a series of small injuries to the sesamoids. Over time, these types of foot conditions develop into an intense throbbing in the foot that can be treated with custom made foot orthotics.

There are not usually visual signs of damage in the area, such as redness or bruising, and diagnostic imaging techniques are required to identify the cause of the pain. X-ray imaging can be used but is not sensitive to small bone fracture and, for this reason, a bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often preferred.

MANAGEMENT

Physical therapy is the first line approach in the treatment of sesamoiditis. It is important for patients to allow the area to rest and avoid putting their feet under significant stress.

Strapping the big toe to prevent it from moving can help to accelerate the healing process. Additionally, specialized orthotics can be built to redistribute the pressure away from the sesamoid bone during the healing period.

Our custom orthotics online can use posting modifications needed to take the relief off the sesamoid bones so they do not make a hard impact on the ground. 

Morton’s Neuroma

What is a neuroma? These types of foot conditions involve a swollen nerve that should utilize custom made foot orthotics for pain and shock assistance. Morton's neuroma occurs in the nerves at the base of the toes on the bottom of the foot, most commonly between the third and fourth toes.

How do I cure a neuroma? If a nerve is repeatedly pinched or irritated, it will enlarge and, like a scar, develop extra fibrous tissue. The aggravated nerve can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pains. The condition is sometimes referred to as a nerve tumor, neuritis, or perineural fibroma.

What causes Morton's neuroma isn't fully known, but studies show that you may be susceptible to the condition if you:

• Have flat feet or rigid arches. Both lead to increased pressure and stretching of the nerve.

• Wear high heels, which force extra weight to the front of the foot.

• Wear tight shoes, which cramp the toes, pinching the nerves.

• Often crouch or stoop, which can stretch and irritate the nerves.
  
  

Knee, Hip, Back Pain

Are you having knee pain, hip pain or back pain?

How can I stop knee pain? There are many types of foot conditions that cause pain and are able to be treated with custom made foot orthotics. Flattened arches have enormous effects up the leg and back: the leg twists in, the knee goes out of alignment, the pelvis drops and low back curvature increases. Most people have flattened arches on both sides.

One of the most common “abnormal changes” is loss of arch height. When the arch drops towards the floor it causes an inward twist at the ankle. The knee absorbs this twist and points inward. The hip absorbs this twist and rotates inward. The pelvis reacts to this change in the hip by dropping down in front which causes the low back to bow in more. All of these changes cause abnormal stress and strain at each point in the change.

At the knee the inside of the joint gets compressed and the kneecap moves out of alignment, both of which can cause arthritis. At the hip, the front of the joint gets compressed, also inviting arthritis.

So there are many other reasons to make sure your feet function correctly besides avoiding foot problems. Good joint health, anywhere in the body, begins with good posture and function. Custom insoles is simply the way to go!

Metatarsalgia

What is metatarsalgia? How do I cure metatarsalgia? These types of foot conditions can distribute weight evenly and effectively with custom made foot orthotics. To understand the cause of your ball of foot pain, it’s good to understand more about the metatarsal region of your foot. Touch the top of any one of your toes and trace the bone down to the center of your foot. Once past your toe bone (or “phalange”), your fingers will eventually trace a bone called your metatarsal. Attached to your toe bones, these five metatarsal bones help you stand, walk, and run by distributing your weight evenly to keep you balanced.

COMMON CAUSES

1) A thinning out or shifting of your foot pad’s fatty tissue. That fatty tissue on the ball of your foot is there to absorb shock, but it can wear out as you get older.

2) A high arch or flat feet, either of which places abnormal pressure across your metatarsals.

3) Hammertoes, which affects how weight is distributed across your foot.

Now that you have reviewed the common types of foot conditions that can benefit from custom made foot orthotics, we hope you improve your well-being by adopting the best insoles on the market into your footwear when you buy orthotics online from DFW Feet.

ACHILLES TENDONITIS

If you experience tenderness, swelling, or redness on the back of your ankle you may have Achilles tendonitis. 

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS
What is achilles tendonitis? Named after a mythological Greek warrior whose only mortal vulnerability lay in his heel, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This tendon is significant. As the strongest connective tissue in the body, it boosts us forward when we walk, run, or jump.

How do I cure achilles tendonitis? If overloaded, the Achilles tendon may become inflamed, leading to Achilles tendonitis. This condition causes swelling and a painful, burning sensation behind the ankle about two inches above the heel. The area may also turn red and feel warm to the touch. Without treatment, scar tissue may build up over time and cause palpable bumps along the tendon.

Below are some common scenarios that cause irritation and can lead to Achilles tendonitis:

• Injury caused by repetitive overuse, like long-distance running, or trauma to the Achilles tendon, such as a tear. Not surprisingly, injuries such as these lead to the inflammation and pain typical of Achilles tendonitis.

• Tight calf muscles due to inadequate stretching. This tightness can irritate the Achilles tendon and cause inflammation.

• Other painful foot and lower leg conditions, like overpronation and flat feet. Such conditions can become wearing a shoe without good foot support and cause irritation in other parts of the foot and leg, such as the Achilles tendon.