Do your feet hurt more than ever since summer has ended? If
so, you are not alone. We see a lot of patients like you each fall. When it
comes time to put the summer shoes away, these people get the shoe blues.
In
summer, sandals provide the freedom which allows your feet to feel comfortable.
If you start wearing closed shoes again in autumn, the shoes can rub against
bunions and hammertoes and cause you pain. Sometimes the friction of shoe
against skin can cause painful corns and calluses to build up. Your first line
of defense is to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Pick footwear with a toe
box wide enough so that your toes aren’t crowded together. If you wear shoes
with heels, keep the heel height to two inches or less to avoid putting
pressure on bunions. Wear socks to reduce the friction of shoes against your
feet. You may also want to take your shoes to a shoe repair shop and get them
stretched in the areas that are bothering you. Using the pads to shield the
corns may help, but avoid medicated pads, which contain acid that can be
harmful.
If you try our tips to no avail, contact our office. There are several
types of conservative treatments we can offer before we suggest surgery
including:
- Trimming corns and calluses professionally- don’t attempt
this yourself because you run the risk of injury or infection.
- Providing custom shoe inserts
- Injecting corticosteroids, which ease pain and inflammation or prescribing pain medication
If conservative measures like these don’t give you results,
surgery may be your next alternative.
Don’t let painful feet and toes keep you from enjoying all
that fall has to offer, visit our www.ShenandoahPodiatry.com!
