When Prince Charming eased Cinderella’s foot into that glass slipper, she probably muttered a pained “Ouch” under her breath. These days, glass and foot-binding are out of fashion, but a host of new challenges are in. More women are spending time on the feet at jobs outside the home, and that time is often logged in nylon pantyhose and shoes with pointed toes and high heels. Among the problems often directly linked to wearing high heels are Achilles tendonitis and metatarsalgia(pain in the ball of the foot). Nylons can trap moisture next to the skin, encouraging the growth of fungal infections, plus constrict the toes, leading to ingrown toenails, hammartoes and bunions. Bunions tend to be inherited, but shoes with narrow toe boxes can trigger them.
Buying the right shoes is an important part of foot care. Considering how much our feet do for us, the least we can do is provide preventative care before a problem occurs and seek professional care from a podiatrist. Whether this means a change in foot wear or a more medical approach, there’s help for your aching feet, and lots you can do to make sure your feet stand up to years of wear and tear. We at Family Foot and Ankle Care are here to help you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
Dr. Marc Fink
P. S. Swelling and hormone production during pregnancy can aggravate exisitng foot problems as well as bring on new ones.
