Calluses

Hard skin on your feet is otherwise known as a callus. Calluses develop over areas of high pressure on the feet - and, in fact on any area of the body.  Often, people working constantly with heavy machinery develop calluses on their hands.  They are a natural form of protection for the body as they prevent  thinning of   the underlying skin when constant, repeated pressure is present. Sometimes they become more of a nuisance than a protection and may cause more serious problems such as ulcerations. Areas of high pressure are most often associated with bony prominences, which may be more pronounced due to bio mechanical difficulties.  These areas are commonly found over the toes or on the sole of the foot from downward pressure of the metatarsal heads. Other causes of high pressure include ill fitting footwear. Sometimes the inconvenience of a callus is almost negligible, but other times it can be crippling. Left untreated, the callus becomes harder and drier and there is a risk that it may crack, causing painful lesions which can become infected. This happens most often around the heel area, but can occur anywhere. There can be additional complications if the sufferer also has problems with the circulation in the feet, diabetes or in other cases where the nutrition of the skin is compromised. Once the cause of the callus has been identified, it is possible to limit the formation of the callus with padding. Sometimes small changes such as a thicker soled shoe and better fitting footwear can also alleviate the problem. Long term solutions for more difficult cases may be possible with a full biomechanical assessment and insoles. Moisturising feet with a good foot cream can maintain the condition of the callus and help prevent the skin from 'cracking'. Seeking professional advice is always advisable. Here is a fun video on feet!

Treatment for Plantar FAsciitis

Pain in the heel area on the sole of the foot, is very disabling and may be due to a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a structure which supports  the muscular structures on the sole of your foot spanning from the heel, forwards to the metatarsal heads which are on  the 'ball' of the foot.  This can contract and cause excruciating pain when you start walking especially after a period of rest or after an unusual activity such as ladder climbing.  There are exercises which can alleviate the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. They are based around stretching the calf muscles and the plantar fascia and must be performed within a pain free range. You should feel a pulling of the muscles, but not pain.  Exercise 1 Face a wall and stand at a distance of just less than arm's length. Place your hands against the wall at about eye level. Put the affected leg about a step behind your other leg, so that it is straight and the other one bent. Keep the heel of the straight leg on the floor and lean forward. You should feel a strong pull in the calf muscles. Hold this position for about 20 seconds and repeat 4 times. This should be repeated about  2 or 3 times a day and especially before exercise. Exercise 2 Sit down on the floor if you are able and stretch your legs in front of you. Place one end of the towel under your leg with the towel stretching along the length of the sole of your foot  and grab the other end of the towel. Pull the towel from the top of your leg so that the toes are pulled up towards you.  If sitting straight legged on the floor is difficult, this exercise can be adapted for sitting on a chair Roll up a towel and pull it around the toes of your affected foot, holding the towel at both ends.  Straighten your leg and pull the towel gently towards you.  Hold this position for about  15 seconds. Repeat it 4 times. There will be a pull on both the plantar fascia and the calf muscles. Be sure not to cause any pain. Exercise 3 This exercise can be done at any time of the day, especially when you are sitting down in the evening, whilst reading or watching TV. You can use a tennis ball, a can from the cupboard  or an empty bottle. When you are sitting, roll the ball with the arch of your foot back and forth from your heel to the toes. If you are using a ball, you can manipulate it in a circular motion as well. Do this often but stay within the limit of pain. Exercise 4 Using the bottom stair or step, hold the handrail for support and shuffle your feet backwards until your heel is hanging over the edge. Slowly, and within the range of pain, lower your heels below the level of the stair. Hold this position for about 10 seconds and slowly bring your heels back up. Then repeat slowly and carefully about 5 times If these exercises don't relieve the pain, it may be necessary to have a full biomechanical assessment. Orthoses  may be fitted into your shoes to alter the stretch on the plantar fascia and provide much sought after relief!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPvpvtXfkJI

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

"The pain is worse when I get out of bed in the morning"

"It's strange. It's right in the middle of my heel - underneath"

"Sometime it hurts if I've been standing for  a long time"

"I can't put my foot down"

Plantar Fasciitis is a very painful condition. The pain is felt in the middle of the sole of the heel and is usually at its  worst, first thing in the morning . In the early stages of the condition, the pain may disappear after a few steps, but  sometimes it can become quite disabling and can last for a long time.

The plantar fascia is a structure which supports  the muscular structures on the sole of your foot.

It spans from a midpoint almost central on the heel, forwards to the metatarsal heads which are on  the 'ball' of the foot. The pain is due a pulling effect at the heel and, in the worst cases, inflammation can travel forward along the whole length of the plantar fascia.

It is very painful first thing in the morning, as most people sleep with their toes pointing down.  In this position, the plantar fascia contracts.  The next morning, when the toes are pulled up in order to start walking, there is an  enormous stretch on the heel, causing the pain.  Once the plantar fascia has stretched out, the pain may ease until there is another period of standing or inactivity.

The onset of plantar fasciitis is often associated with exercise that over-stretches the plantar fascia, such as climbing ladders, or anything that involves balancing on your toes.

In some cases the condition can become so severe that a heel spur may begin to develop where the plantar fascia originates.

If you have  these symptoms, you could very well be suffering from plantar fasciitis.