While the most common patients a podiatrist deals with are diabetics, there are 3 common foot problems that most people face.

1. Metatarsalgia: numbness or sharp pains in the balls of the feet are 2 major symptoms of this problem. The pain is due to intense pressure that the metatarsal bones may be handling. Metatarsal bones run from the base of the toes along the feet. Strenuous and intense exercising including jogging or running, for extended periods of time can intensify the pain and the problem. Besides this, age and degeneration due to natural wearing and tearing also contribute to the pain.

The treatment for the condition is to insert in-soles in the shoes. The in-soles add an extra layer of cushioning for the feet and provide relief from the pain. Medication to relive the inflammation is also prescribed to the patients. Surgery could be required in severe cases where the bones are shortened to ease the pain caused. Medication and non-surgical treatments are preferred over surgery.

2. Tendonitis: the condition’s main symptoms are sharp pains, similar to stabbing, in the area around the ankle. The posterior inflammation or tearing of the tibial tendon is the cause of the pain. The tendon links the calf muscle to the arch of the foot, and hence, the inflammation caused a sharp pain in the ankle area. This tendon of the foot is what makes walking possible and allows for the flexibility of the foot. Wear and tear and degeneration of the tendon can cause the pains. Degeneration of this tendon can cause the arch of the foot to collapse causing a case of flat foot.

The treatment of the pains caused due to tendonitis can be treated with an air cast boot. The boot is specifically designed to aid in supporting the tendon to take the pressure and support the foot. The boot acts as a plaster supporting the bone that is broken. The only dissimilarity between the 2 is that the boot can be removed. If required, the boot should be designed and acquired from a podiatrist, who knows exactly what your problem is and hence, designs the boot to suit your case. Surgery is required only in extreme cases where the boot does not suffice as a solution to the problem and the pain.

3. Mortons Neuroma: this condition of the feet is symptomized by a sharp stabbing, or sometime burning sensation in the area surrounding the ball or the center of the foot. The most common cause of this condition is wearing tight fit shoes. Hence, the most common patients of this problem are women. Mortons Neuroma affects women more because they tend to wear shoes that are ill fitting, e.g. high heels, which put a lot of unnatural pressure on the various parts of the foot. The condition is caused when on wearing tight fit shoes, the metatarsals are pushed together. Metatarsals and the area between them are nerve ending rich areas. Excessive pressure in this region causes the pain and the tingling sensation that is most obvious of this condition.

Most podiatrists advise the use of insoles specifically designed for people with this condition. Alternatively injections can be taken to relieve the pain. Only in extreme cases is surgery recommended. For advice from Phoenix based specialist, you should visit this website - Phoenix Podiatrist.