Foot Pain Part 6
Shin Splint, Haglunds Deformity & Foot Odor

Foot pain associated with the disease process, such as fractures, is frequently controlled by immobilization. Pain due to edema that is associated with trauma, surgery, or bleeding into the tissues can frequently be controlled by elevation and, if prescribed, intermittent application of cold.

Pain may be indicative of complications. Pain associated with compartment syndrome is relentless and is controlled by modalities such as elevation, application of cold if prescribed, and usual dosages of analgesics.

Severe pain over a bony prominence warns of an impending pressure ulcer. Pain decreases when ulceration occurs.

Among the many causative factor of pain is the foot ailment. Many people may pay little attention to it, but it is one of the most extensive problems any person can experience.

If you do not have any idea about treating certain foot ailments such as shin splint, try to read on and see for yourself what type of treatment is applicable to your foot problem.

Haglund’s Deformity

A heel can hurt for many reasons—arthritis, a fracture, or a sore heel pad, to name a few. But by far, the most common cause of heel and the most common foot problem seen by podiatrist is Haglund’s Deformity.

Haglund’s deformity is a painful and discomforting condition of the heel, specifically at the back portion at the region of the placing of the “Achilles tendon.”

Within this region, the plantar fascia is located. Plantar fascias are bands of ligaments that stretch from the ball of the foot to the heel bone, holding the muscles at the bottom of the foot in place. If these ligaments are repeatedly stretched too far or twisted too much, such as when your shoes do not provide the right support or when you are exercising too hard, they tug at the heel bone, causing a bruise and inflammation that really hurts.

If that stretching or twisting continues, extra calcium can accumulate at the site of the bruise and cause additional pain, a problem called a heel spur. Do not be surprised if Haglund’s deformity gives you a wake-up call the moment you step of bed. Typically, the pain is most intense in the morning when the ligaments are tight.

Treatment

In treating Haglund’s deformity, there are two possible forms of cure: surgical and non-surgical treatment.  Non-surgical treatment consists of complete rest and total eradication of heeled shoes. The best way to prevent Haglund’s deformity is to wear a stable shoe. 

If all else fail, that is the time that podiatrists opt for surgical treatment. Usually, patients with Haglund’s deformity undergo bump removal or wedge osteotomy.

Bump removal simply refers to the process of removing “bump.” On the other hand, wedge osteotomy refers to the removal of a “wedge of bone” from the calcaneus,” thereby, reducing the size.

Foot Odor

Feet are faithful, if not entirely problem-free, servants. While happily performing their tasks, they may work up quite a sweat. And that can be a problem for another part of the human anatomy — the nose.

There are a tremendous number of sweat glands on the feet, and sometimes the combination of sweating and bacteria can cause an obnoxious odor.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to banish sweat and keep your feet odor-free in the bargain. Here is how to prevent and treat the malodorous march.

1. Cleanse your soles

The best way to deodorize smelly feet is to wash them with a regular soap and water. That may sound simple, but many people quickly step in and out of the shower, forgetting to bend over and scrub the tops and bottoms of their feet.

2. Dry them well, toes and all

Once your feet are clean, be sure to dry them well, even taking care to get between the toes. This removes the moist environment where smell-producing bacteria thrive.

Shin Splint

Shin splint is a painful condition located at the medial and frontal portions of the “lower leg.”

The main causative factor of shin splints is muscle abuse. This can either be a delayed-onset muscle soreness or a severe injury usually brought about by activities that entails jumping or running.

In treating shin splints, complete rest is highly recommended. Arduous activities, such as jumping and running should be shunned until the pain settled down.

Given all that, one can simply surmise that the most common factor in developing foot ailments is neglect. Hence, if people just know how to treat their feet right, they will never have to experience those painful and smelly encounters with Haglund’s deformity, foot odor, and shin splint.