Worn out, torn, or broken orthotics can cause more problems to your feet. Orthotics are a medical device used to assist in mobility while correcting the function of the foot. They allow a patient to perform their daily movement with ease. If you are using orthotics and you experience inconvenience, discomfort, and inflammation, it is time to get new inserts. Available over-the-counter orthotics are for different foot problems. Flat Feet Insole Support and Custom Orthotics Houston are designed by a foot doctor to correct foot deformities and provide relief.

Sesamoiditis is the inflammation of the tendons attached to sesamoids in the foot. Sesamoids are bones connected to the muscles by tendons. The largest sesamoid in the body is the kneecap, and other smaller sesamoids are at the bottom of the foot near the big toe. Sesamoid pain is common among dancers and athletes due you excessive straining and overworking of the tendons. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication and rest.

Fractured sesamoid – This is a crack in the sesamoid bone. It can be an acute fracture caused by trauma to the foot. In this injury, the pain is immediate and the site of the crack is swollen. A chronic sesamoid fracture causes longstanding pain in the ball of the foot. The pain intensifies when active and is relieved when resting.

Sesamoiditis Symptoms

The condition causes pain that develops gradually under the ball of the foot; bruising or swelling can be noticed too. Another symptom is difficulty in bending or straightening the big toe, and it hurts to move it. Lastly, when you walk, you might get or hear a ‘pop’ sensation.

Risk factors of this condition:

• People who overuse their tendons in the front of the foot.
• Wearing poorly fitting shoes and high heels leading to the tendon’s inflammation.
• Engaging in sports that place pressure on the ball of the foot such as ballet, running, and basketball.

Sesamoiditis Treatments

Depending on the degree and severity of the injury, sesamoiditis treatment may include one or more of these non-surgical options:

1. Taping, padding, or strapping – Place a pad to cushion the shoe in the sesamoid area. You may also tape the toe or strap it to relieve tension.
2. Immobilization – Avoid placing weight on the foot and wear a cast, permanent or removable.
3. Physical therapy – During immobilization, engage in physical therapy to strengthen and improve range of motion.
4. Oral medications – take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and pain.
5. Orthotic devices – The use of orthotic devices to balance the pressure placed on the ball of the foot. These are prescribed devices that can be used for a long time.
6. Steroid injections – These are administered by a podiatrist to reduce pain and inflammation.
7. Stop whatever activity you suspect is the cause of sesamoiditis and those that put extra pressure on the ball of the foot.
8. You can opt for comfortable and supportive footwear and avoid poorly fitting shoes or high heels. Go for low-heeled and soft-soled shoes.

Surgical treatment

A podiatrist may recommend the surgical removal of one or both sesamoid bones, especially if it has a damaging effect on the foot. Also, if the big toe does not re-align itself in a healthy manner surgery can be used to realign it with the foot.

If you have questions about caring for sesamoiditis, reach out to a foot specialist for his/her expert advice. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

A foot blister is a fluid-filled pocket that develops in response to an infection or an injury, and it occurs in the top layer of the skin. Blister on foot happens over a damaged area to cushion the feet from further harm. Foot blister pain is because of the pressure on the feet.

Causes of blisters on the feet

Pressure and friction – When the feet continually rub against a rough surface, shoe, or socks it causes foot blisters. Inflammation and irritation result in redness, pain, and swelling. Initially, a red sore appears, then the body sends fluids to fill the opening to protect the underlying tissue layers that are delicate.

Burning – If the skin is burnt, the body responds by creating a blister to avoid further damage to the underlying tissues. Blisters develop after about two days but in severe burns, they appear immediately and the blister on foot heals when the burn itself heals.

Freezing – Frostbite happens in extremely cold conditions where the skin cells die and foot blisters form to keep the body warm and prevent further damage.

Medical conditions – Various medical conditions weaken the outer layer of the foot skin leaving it vulnerable to foot blisters. A blister can also signify infections, disorders, and diseases.  These medical conditions include eczema, chickenpox, antibiotic treatment, blood-thinning medications, and being overweight.

Ruptured blood vessels – The tiny blood vessels in the epidermis of the skin break, they cause a blood blister. It occurs when the skin is pinched or crushed.

Contact dermatitis – Skin inflammation or dermatitis occurs when the foot skin is exposed to an irritant. If the exposure continues the condition progresses to form a blister on foot.

Other contact dermatitis foot blisters include

• Insect stings and bites.
• Skin allergens.
• Nickel
• Sulfates
• Toxic chemical agents.

Foot Blister Treatment

Foot blister pain can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing pain with your foot blister, contact the podiatrist at DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet and it can heal in a few days.

Leave it alone – Blisters heal naturally and provide a safe space for healing allowing new skin to grow. After the new skin grows, the body slowly reabsorbs the fluid and the skin dries up and flakes off.

Protect it – Protect the blister to prevent it from popping to decrease the time it takes for it to heal. Avoid friction around the blister and cover it with a loose bandage to allow airflow necessary for drying out the blister. Use an adhesive bandage to secure it in position.

Cushion the blister with a cushioned adhesive bandage designed for blisters to reduce pain and keep out blisters as the blister heals.

Pad it with a moleskin that absorbs pressure to avoid putting it on the blister.

Draining a blister

If the blister is in an inconvenient place or it is large, a foot doctor can advise you to drain the blister. It is best to let your doctor drain the blister without damaging the covering of the blister. The draining is usually done within 24 hours after it forms.

When you notice that the blister has green or yellow fluid or the pain gets worse, or the area is hot to touch or inflamed, contact a podiatrist immediately for foot blister treatment. Also, if the blister keeps coming back, or the pain gets worse or it is a symptom of an allergic reaction a foot doctor will know how best to treat it.