People become patients of BioPed Footcare for many different issues, but all for the same reason. They want to feel more comfortable and be able to do more in life. This month I sat down with a new client of mine who booked an initial assessment with me to talk about his foot pain. He mentioned that the pain on the sides and bottoms of his feet began when he changed his footwear recently. He purchased a new pair of shoes for work which he felt were the right fit, but his foot pain gradually worsened after wearing them daily. It became clear that his wider-set foot was being stuffed into ill-fitting shoes with a narrow toe box. Continuing to wear shoes that do not fit well or are not appropriate for your foot type could lead to biomechanical and structural issues.
We had a discussion about his lifestyle and activity level. His job is physically-demanding and he spends a significant amount of time on his feet during each shift. I noticed corns on his 4th and 5th toes on both feet and he complained of a sharp shooting type pain in his left forefoot. I suspected a neuroma which is a ball of nerve tissue that results from chronic irritation of the nerve between the metatarsals or long bones. I performed a test to determine if he did in fact have a neuroma in his foot by squeezing the forefoot bones together from each side of the foot. The test was negative. The pain he felt in between these two metatarsal bones was likely due to a neuritis or inflammation of the nerve.
During his appointment, I treated the corns on his toes by removing the hard and thickened skin layer by layer. This provided instant relief. To complete his footcare treatment, I applied an emollient to soften the skin and restore moisture. The second part of his appointment was a biomechanical assessment, which included evaluation of the range-of-motion of the joints in his feet, which were all normal. My Pedorthist colleague and I conducted a gait analysis. I like to watch my patients walk with one of the Pedorthists I work with because I value their perspective and skill set. We consult with each other and problem solve how to best serve our patients.
Watching him walk, we noticed his arches were fallen and his feet appeared even wider. We decided to fit him for new shoes, by measuring the length and width of his feet. He tried on a few different options and decided on a pair that provided comfort and stability. The toebox was wide and allowed his toes and forefoot to splay and move without restriction. These shoes gave him immediate relief from the pressure and pain he was experiencing.
I am thankful I met this particular patient and had the opportunity to speak with him about his foot pain. Foot pain can be debilitating and can have a negative impact on work and life. Two weeks after our initial appointment together, we saw each other again. I was thrilled when he told me his feet were significantly better. He was comfortable and the pain on the sides of his feet was dissipating every day. He was wearing his new shoes for work and was nowable to do more in his free time. As a Registered Chiropodist, this is music to my ears!
At BioPed, our lower limb clinicians will provide thorough assessments and make recommendations for treatment for your individual needs. Give us a call to book an appointment today!
