Common foot conditions & how to treat them

Over Pronation, sometimes referred to as 'flat feet', is a common problem that occurs when the arch collapses when weight is applied during standing, walking or other activity.

Extreme strain and/or inflammation and severe discomfort to the arch of the foot. As symptoms develop and become painful, walking can be difficult and cause excess strain on the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back. Over Pronation can lead to Plantar Fasciitis, heel pain, heel spurs, metatarsalgia and/or bunions.

• repetitive high-impact activity such as jogging
• pregnancy
• prolonged periods of standing
• moderate to excessive physical activity
• shoes without proper support

• use shoes with extra support
• try our custom made insoles for arch and heel support
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock
• use a heel cup or heel cradle for extra support

Achilles Tendonitis
What is it?
Achilles Tendonitis is an inflammation and/or degeneration of the achilles tendon. The achilles tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle that inserts into the heel.
What are the symptoms & causes?

A shooting, burning or piercing pain in the tendon; often the first steps out of bed or after long periods of sitting are extremely painful.

• Over Pronation - when the arch collapses during movement, increasing stress on the achilles tendon
• prolonged periods of standing
• long-distance running
• moderate to excessive athletic activity
• inadequate stretching prior to athletic activity
• a short achilles tendon

• thoroughly stretch and warm-up the muscles
• apply an ice pack to foot and heel area after activity
• avoid excessive athletic activity that aggravates the Achilles Tendonitis
• use a heel cup or heel cradle for extra support
• use a gel heel & pressure point insole to absorb shock, increase support and add comfort
• try our custom made insoles for arch support made unique to your feet

What is it?

Edema is often referred to as "swelling of the feet" is a common complaint during pregnancy.

• the increased weight of the baby and a woman's natural weight gain alters the centre of gravity and the weight-bearing stance resulting in increased pressure and strain on the common pressure points of the woman's feet
• the increased pressure from the uterus reduces circulation and in turn causes pain, tiredness in the pelvis, legs and feet.

• extreme strain and/or inflammation
• severe discomfort in the arch of the foot
• excess strain on the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back

• elevate the feet as often as possible
• stretch the legs regularly to promote circulation
• take up walking or ask your doctor for an exercise programme
• eat a well-balanced diet avoiding foods that cause fluid retention
• try our custom made insoles for arch support
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock
• see your doctor or an orthotist if pain persists

Arch Pain, or arch strain, is usually an inflammation and/or irritation in the tissues of the arch of the foot.
What are the symptoms & causes?

A swelling, burning or tenderness in the arch of the foot; often noticeable in the morning after getting out of bed due to tightening of the plantar fascia, which is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs from heel to midfoot into forefoot, along the sole of the foot.

The most common causes are:

• Plantar Fasciitis which refers to the inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes
• long walks
• moderate to excessive physical activity
• prolonged periods of standing

How to treat or prevent?

• avoid high-heeled shoes
• rest the feet as needed
• try our custom made insoles for arch support
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock and protect the arch
• use a heel cup or heel cradle for extra support

Bunions, a common foot complaint, is a prominent bump on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint. It is a bony joint that begins to protrude towards the inside of the foot which can frequently cause overlapping toes.

What are the symptoms & causes?

An inflammation, swelling and soreness on the side of the big toe joint and/or overlapping toes. A discomfort causing an awkward or uncomfortable gait. May also cause joint redness, pain or skin irritation.

While Bunions are most prominent on the big toe, some individuals may develop 'Tailor's Bunion', a small bump on the outside of the foot at the little toe joint.

How to treat or prevent?

• in the early stages of the formation of a bunion, soak feet in warm water for temporary relief
• wear properly fitting shoes and/or shoes with a high, wide toe area
• try our custom made insoles for extra comfort, support and protection made unique to your feet
• use a bunion relief sleeve to protect the area

A Callus is formed when dead cells accumulate and harden and thicken over an area of the foot. It is the body responding to excess pressure and friction.

What are the symptoms & causes?

Formation of thick, hard patches of skin on pressure points on the feet often causing pain and discomfort.

Found most often on the ball of the foot, the heel and/or the inside of the big toe, calluses develop due to excess pressure on specific areas of the foot. Calluses can be caused by:

• shoes that are too small and/or have high heels
• flat feet
• high arches
• bony protrustions on the foot
• loss of fat padding on the bottom of the foot

If you are diabetic and develop Calluses you should see a podiatrist.

How to treat or prevent?

• It is common for people to attempt to alleviate the pain by cutting or trimming the callus with a razor blade or knife - we do NOT recommend this course of action
• reduce or eliminate use of high-heeled and tight-fitting shoes
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock
• use a gel heel & pressure point insole or a deep gel insole to reduce friction and redistribute weight away from common stress points
• try our custom made insoles for extra comfort made unique to your feet

A common condition, Heel Pain is caused by weight bearing on the heel resulting in extreme discomfort which can lead to Heel Spurs and/or Plantar Fasciitis.

What are the symptoms & causes?

Inflammation, tenderness, general pain on the bone or bottom of the heel or along the arch of the foot.

The causes of Heel Pain are:

• over-use repetitive strain, also known as 'heel pain syndrome' is a tenderness or soreness caused by excess impact on a specific area of the foot
• shoes that are too flat and/or have poor support
• a thinning of the fat pad in the heel area
• an increase in activity or high-impact movement
• Plantar Fasciitis

How to treat or prevent?

• see Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs
• use shoes with a firm heel and arch support
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock and shear forces
• for Plantar Fasciitis related heel pain, try our custom made insoles to control the pronation and prevent the inflammation of the plantar fascia

A Heel Spur is an abnormal bony protrusion on the sole of the heel.

What are the symptoms & causes?

Extreme stabbing pain in the rearfoot and/or heel, often most noticeable when standing or walking.

Heel Spurs are the result of calcium deposits forming on the heel bone when the plantar fascia stretches away from the heel. The common causes of a stretch to the plantar fascia, resulting in Heel Spurs are:

• flat feet
• Over Pronation
• tight-fitting shoes

How to treat or prevent?

• Thoroughly stretch the muscles
• wear properly fitting shoes with added cushioning
• if the heel spur is caused by Over Pronation, or flat feet, try our custom made insoles to reduce Over Pronation and encourage correction and healing
• use a heel cup for extra comfort and cushioning and to reduce the amount of shock and shear from every day movement

Metatarsalgia is pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsal region).

What are the symptoms & causes?

Acute, chronic pain or inflammation of the ball of the foot, most commonly effecting the three middle joints of the ball-of-the-foot - the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads. It can also affect the 1st metatarsal head of the big toe.

Ball-of-foot pain is often caused by:

• improperly fitting shoes, often women's dress shoes and other restrictive footwear
• high heels
• shoes with a narrow toe area
• unsupportive or non-cushioning shoes during high impact activity
• a thinning of the fat pad in the ball of the foot

How to treat or prevent?

• use shoes with a wide, high toe area to allow the foot to spread
• use a gel heel & pressure point insole with a metatarsal pad to relieve pressure and reduce impact
• use a try our custom made insoles for total contact support

Plantar Fasciitis, a common complaint, is often caused by Over Pronation (sometimes referred to as 'flat feet'). The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs from heel to midfoot into forefoot, along the bottom of the foot.

What are the symptoms & causes?

Excessive stretching of the plantar fascia will result in irritation and inflamation resulting in Heel Pain, Heel Spurs or Arch Pain. The pain is often at its most acute first thing in the morning or after long periods of rest when the plantar fascia contracts to its original shape. The pain can subside with activity during the day.

The main causes of Plantar Fasciitis is Over Pronation, or flat feet, when the arch of the foot collapses upon weight bearing, the plantar fascia is stretched away from the heel bone.

How to treat or prevent?

• thoroughly stretch the muscles regularly
• use shoes that will accommodate, comfort and support the foot
• if Over Pronation is the cause of the Plantar Fasciitis try our custom made insoles for arch support made unique to your feet and rearfoot posting for correction
• use a heel cup to cushion the heel and absorb shock
• use a deep gel insole to absorb shock and cushion the heel