Upstep Answers
Our team answers your questions about the causes and treatment of various podiatric conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, foot pain, and the use of custom orthotics.
Recent Answers
Does Metatarsalgia Go Away and Can It Be Treated?
Pain is never a good thing, and the fact that it is the primary symptom of metatarsalgia makes this condition that much more annoying. If left untreated, metatarsalgia can alter gait mechanics, reducing the quality of life. The good news is that metatarsalgia is treatable and totally curable with the right methods. How to Treat Metatarsalgia There are several effective approaches to the treatment of metatarsalgia. The choice of treatment depends on the cause and the severity of the condition. Metatarsalgia can go away on its own, but treatment is recommended as it can significantly speed up the rate of recovery. Generally, the first line of management involves the use of home remedies, including; Resting the foot.Elevating the foot to reduce swelling.The use of ice to reduce inflammation.Loss of weight to reduce pressure on the sole of the feet.Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.Activity modification. How Long Does It Take to Treat Metatarsalgia? Apart from these home remedies, you may also need to change your shoes to one that offers better support. If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks despite intervention, consider seeing your doctor. The doctor will refer you to a physiotherapist who will also include massage, stretching, and metatarsalgia exercises to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and strengthen the foot so that the chance of reoccurrence is limited. Additionally, you may be asked to wear orthotic inserts in your shoes to relieve the pressure on the ball of the foot and provide more comfort. A combination of these methods should be enough to reverse metatarsalgia permanently in less than 3 months. In rare instances where all these fail, surgery can restore normal foot shape and address symptoms. Prompt and consistent intervention is best for maximal recovery to take place. And apart from addressing symptoms, ensure you directly address the cause to reduce the chance of reoccurrence.
Asked 17 days ago
Can Knee Arthritis Cause Calf Pain?
Knee osteoarthritis is a disorder in which cartilage in the knee breaks down or degenerates. Degeneration of the articular cartilage, the flexible, slippery substance that ordinarily shields bones from joint friction and impact, is the hallmark of knee osteoarthritis. Are Knee Pain and Calf Pain Related? Yes, calf pain and knee pain are usually linked to some degree. If you have arthritis, you may experience pain the radiates from the knee to the calf. Arthritic joint discomfort is primarily caused by inflammation. Leg discomfort from arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, gout, bursitis, and tendonitis) can affect one or more joints or other regions of the musculoskeletal system. » Are you an athlete suffering from knee arthritis? Check out the best insoles to relieve calf pain How Bad Knees Can Cause Calf Pain The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by stiff and achy joints. Muscle spasms and leg cramps are common symptoms of the severe illness. Pain, stiffness, and swelling can occur as the cartilage around the joint breaks down. Arthritic joints can also be hot and stiff. A variety of knee disorders can cause strain on the muscles and tendons that go down the calf. A Baker's cyst, a consequence of knee arthritis, is a prevalent problem that can also be one of the conditions leading to calf pain. Legs, thighs, calves, hips, buttocks, and feet may experience discomfort. Aside from discomfort, other typical symptoms in the leg muscles include heaviness, numbness, or soreness. Rest is typically beneficial.
Asked 19 days ago
Flat Feet Without Pain: Do You Need Orthotics?
If your flat feet are not causing you pain, you can probably live without orthotics. Some people never experience the symptoms of low arches. In others, the symptoms may develop gradually over time. What Symptoms of Flat Feet Should You Watch Out For? You need to be alert to any symptoms that develop over time, especially if you have obesity, cerebral palsy, hypertension, or diabetes. Flat feet can affect your body in a number of ways where you might not feel the pain in your feet at all. If you experience pain in your knees, ankles, back, or hips, it could be related to your flat feet. If you feel pain in your feet after long periods of standing or walking a long distance, it could be caused by flat feet. Can Flat Feet Be Harmless? In most instances, you don't need orthotics if your flat feet aren't causing you pain. Having well-fitting shoes and custom orthotics can be beneficial to everyone, even if your feet are healthy. Custom orthotics for flat feet give your feet the ideal support and comfort that they need, and this can prevent foot problems in the future.
Asked a month ago
At Which Level of Severity of Flat Feet Do You Need Orthotics?
Having flat feet could lead to a number of other conditions, such as shin splints, overpronation, and lower back pain, among many others. A large number of possible secondary conditions make it difficult to discern what exact level of severity of flat feet needs to be treated. Still, there are some things you should keep in mind when deciding if you need orthotics for flat feet or not. Do You Have Flat Feet? You can perform a simple test to determine if you have flat feet by making a neutral standing footprint with water. A normal footprint should have the heel and ball connected by a trail about half as wide. Anything thicker, and you have some degree of flat feet. Are You Experiencing Any Discomfort? This question doesn't just relate to pain in your foot. If you have any discomfort or pain throughout your body, it could be as a result of flat feet. If you have any pain or discomfort and self-examination reveals that you have flat feet, you should get the problem treated as soon as possible as the condition could worsen. Should You Get Orthotics? Realistically, only a podiatrist can answer this question. However, if you perform the flat foot test and have any kind of overpronation or flat foot, it could lead to a number of other conditions, and so it's best to get the problem treated as soon as you can.
Asked a month ago
Should You Wear Arch Supports if You Have Flat Feet?
Deciding whether you need to be wearing arch supports for your flat feet depends largely on the severity of the condition. Some variations of flat feet, such as asymptomatic flexible flat feet, do not cause discomfort or pain and don't necessarily need to be treated. Whereas symptomatic flexible flat feet and rigid flat feet often cause pain and could lead to a series of other conditions, which are best treated as soon as possible. Pain Relief and Flat Feet Symptom Reduction Flat feet are caused when the tissue that holds up the arch in your foot is weakened enough that your arch depresses to the floor. It's important to understand that you can't definitively cure flat feet as it's impossible to truly fix a collapsed arch without highly invasive surgery. Instead of trying to fix flat feet outright, most treatments look at reducing and managing symptoms instead. Artificial arch supports adjust your feet to operate in a certain way that redistributes the pressure around your foot and strengthens weakened muscles. They don't necessarily rebuild your arches totally, but they can make your feet function better and reduce the symptoms. When Should You Purchase Arch Support for Flat Feet? If you have flexible flat feet (your arches are apparent when seated or on tiptoes, but disappear when you stand up) and don't experience any pain and discomfort then you shouldn't worry yourself with insoles or orthotics. However, if your flat feet cause you any pain or discomfort then you should seek treatment as soon as possible as it could lead to a number of other conditions like overpronation or plantar fasciitis. Additionally, only a podiatrist will be able to assess whether you need medium or high arch supports.
Asked a month ago
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