Stamp out foot pain for good with the latest treatments and friendly footwear.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
In an ideal world, we would all have custom footwear, says Chelin. But
you can enhance shoes with arch-support inserts or orthotics. “Orthotics alter how your feet function to reduce pain and potentially slow down deformity,” says Giroux. Off-the-shelf inserts — available from specialists and pharmacies — can be a solution for those with mild foot problems who may need added cushioning or arch support and come in a range of sizes and supports. If you have an unusual foot shape or severe foot pain, custom insoles — in which a mould is taken of the feet — might be the answer. A foot-care specialist, such as a pedorthist, can assess whether orthotics are right for you. Orthotics typically cost about $450.
Most foot problems are remedied without surgery, but if the pain is severe and you’re unable to find the right footwear, you may be a good candidate, says Johnny Lau, an orthopaedic surgeon at the University Health Network at the University of Toronto. Common surgeries include treating bunions, Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon caused by overtraining) and claw toes. h Procedures usually involve removing the offending bone or tissue and can require at least six weeks of healing time.
'Orthotics alter how your feet function to reduce pain and potentially slow down deformity,' says pedorthist Julie GirouxNew treatments are offering alternatives to surgery. Neuromas, or pinched nerves caused by tight toe boxes or excessive activity, can be treated with minimally invasive injections of a sclerosing agent, which kills the vessels that feed the diseased nerve and ultimately the nerve itself. “We are seeing a lot of neuromas in women who exercise or use an elliptical trainer,” says Levine. “They’re putting four times their body weight on their forefoot.”
For those who are suffering from plantar fasciitis, shockwave treatments may be the solution. Devices use high- or low-energy shockwaves to create microfractures in the inflamed region to stimulate healing. These treatments are generating excitement due to their success rate. “Trials have demonstrated 80 percent relief for some people,” says Lau. Levine is also using the high-energy machine to treat bunions. Rather than removing the bunion itself, the treatments remove the inflammation.
WARNING SIGN
If you’re suffering from chronic foot pain, see your doctor. “Your biomechanics could be off,” says Lau. “You could be pronating or rolling in.” Persistent tingling or numbness in your feet can also be a sign of other health problems, such as diabetes, says Giroux, so have it checked out as soon as possible. If you’re suddenly working out a lot more than usual and experiencing foot pain, the answer is simple. “Reduce your activity to alleviate the pain,” says Lau. If the problem persists after you stop training or if you can’t put weight on your foot, see your family doctor, who can do an X-ray to rule out if something is broken.
FOOTNOTES
When it comes to our feet, prevention is the best cure of all. Levine stresses the importance of strengthening your foot muscles through exercise. “Our feet are kept in shoes all day, so these muscles aren’t strong,” she says. Doing simple exercises a few times a week, such as rolling a tennis ball back and forth with your foot 50 times or writing the alphabet with your toes, can help stabilize your foot muscles. “Feet are the foundation of your body,” adds Chelin. “As long as you keep the foundation stable and balanced, the rest of the structure will stay reasonably stable too.”
