Foot problems are crippling and they can negatively affect one’s productivity and ability to live an economically independent life. Some lifestyle habits such as wearing the wrong kind of shoe, and illnesses can lead to foot problems in future. Knowing the problems that can occur and how to take care of your foot is key to preventing damage to it.
Bunions are painful swellings on the first joint of the big toe. “They cause chronic foot pain and are brought about by wearing a shoe with the wrong design,” says Luka Kipchumba, 37, a foot expert based in Embu Level V hospital, Kenya. “Many shoes especially for women are designed in a way that the narrow pointed front part of the shoe is at the center. This pushes the big toe towards the center causing deformity. The ideal shoe should leave enough space for the toes without causing pressure to the forefoot.”
“Calcaneal spurs are bony protrusions that occur at the heel region, mostly in women and are brought about by wearing flat shoes. Such shoes cause more pressure to be experienced at the heel.” He says, “Calcaneal spur causes one to have pain at the heel and sometimes ankle joint especially when one stands or walks and can lead to impairment of one’s economic activities especially if job if their job involves standing for long such as teachers and security officers. They can also lead to wounds of foot which can be devastating if one has a condition like diabetes,” says Luka.
“To prevent occurrence of such, one should wear a shoe that is elevated between 1 cm and 2 cm at the heel. This allows proper distribution of pressure on the foot when one is walking. The sole of one’s shoes should not be too soft to allow the pressure to be felt at the heel or foot. Weight also significantly contributes to spurs development especially in women and one should keep monitoring their BMI and ensure they are not overweight,” he advises.
“Those with spurs who have not responded well to pain medication, steroid injection and physiotherapy are normally designed for shoes with special insole that allows them to resume work and heal the spurs,” he says.
Corns are thickened areas of skin which can become painful and are caused by poorly fitting shoes which cause pressure. To treat them one should, “rub the dead tissue with a file but make sure they do not damage the living tissue.” One can also use salicylic acid. “If one is diabetic or has peripheral vascular disease and develops corns, they should see a doctor or a foot expert,” he advises.
“High heels worn by women make them alter their body shape in order to balance. This leads them to project their spine forwards leading to lumbar lordosis (forward bending) of their lower spine which can lead to lower back pain. They can also lead to overstraining of calf muscles and make one vulnerable to fracture of the forefoot bones.”
Some lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes can cause devastating foot problems. “People with diabetes should be counseled on proper foot care to prevent them developing foot complications,” he says. “Increasing motorcycle use has brought a high risk of developing foot complications due to accidents and trauma that may follow.”