Durham Regional Hospital Health Spot- Common Foot and Ankle Problems in Adults

Durham, NC- According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 75 percent of Americans have reported suffering from foot problems at some time in their lives. Knowing ways to prevent these problems can greatly improve your health.

According to James K. DeOrio, M.D., Duke orthopaedic surgeon and foot and ankle specialist, bunions, hammertoes, neuromas and achilles tendon problems are the main causes of foot and ankle pain. "While heredity contributes to a person's tendency towards foot problems, often peoples' lifestyles can lead to their trouble," he says.

 "As far as your feet and ankles are concerned you should not do strenuous exercise probably more than three days a week and the workouts should be spaced out every other day," says DeOrio. "That is why football games are played only once a week and major baseball league pitchers take three to four days off before pitching a second game. Your body needs time to recover from exercise."

DeOrio also stresses cross training to his patients. "People should vary their exercise program to use different muscle groups. For example, walk a day, bike a day, swim a day...and if you can't swim, read a book."

By cross training and limiting physical pounding activity on the feet, repetitive overloading which can cause deterioration over time, is avoided. "We damage tissue everyday by walking and physical activity. Our feet and ankles need time to repair. People get injuries because they do not allow their feet and ankles time to heal between activities," says DeOrio.

DeOrio describes the main foot and ankle problems he sees in patients. A bunion is caused when the bone at the big toe joint moves out of place. This forces the big toe to bend toward the others, causing prominence of bone on the inner side of the foot. Bunions occur when the normal balance of forces that are exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot become disrupted. "Bunions are a symptom of faulty foot development and are usually caused by the way we walk, our inherited foot type, our shoes or other sources," says DeOrio.

A hammertoe is formed due to an abnormal balance of the muscles in the toes. This causes increased pressure on the tendons and joints of the toe, forcing the toe to change shape. Hammertoes look like an upside-down V when looked at from the side. "Heredity, trauma, arthritis and wearing shoes that are too tight can cause the toes to squeeze inward creating a hammertoe," he says.

A neuroma is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found between the third and fourth toes that brings on pain, a burning sensation and tingling or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot. A number of factors can contribute to the formation of a neuroma including trauma, improper footwear and repeated stress.

The Achilles tendon is a weak spot in our bodies which can form microtears or tears at its attachment site to the heel bone if overused.

DeOrio will discuss these common foot and ankle problems and more sophisticated ankle treatments, such as ankle replacement for arthritis, during "Foot and Ankle Pain. Is there any relief out there?" November 20, 2007 at 7 pm in the First Level Classroom at Durham Regional Hospital. The seminar is free of charge and light refreshments will be provided. To register, call 919-403-4DRH or visit http://www.durhamregional.org/.