Shin splints is the common name for the medical condition called medial tibial stress syndrome in which pain occurs along the tibia (shin bone) in the front of the lower leg. The pain is a result of small tears in the areathe lower leg muscles’ attachment to thetibia. Shin splints are typically caused from intense or vigorous athletic activity and can be resolved with adequate rest, stretching and modifying your exercise routine.

Flat feet, or pes planus, are a defect of the foot that eliminates the arch. The condition is most often inherited. Arches, however, can also fall in adulthood, in which case the condition is sometimes referred to as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). This occurs most often in women over 50 but it can occur in anyone.

Bunions are a common problem that most people experience as a bony protuberance at the base of the big toe. A bunion, however, is more complicated than simply a bump on the foot.

When a patient has a bunion, the big toe angles in towards the other toes, a condition called hallux valgus. Bunions are most common in women, and the cause is almost always due to unsuitable footwear. The word ‘bunion’ is derived from the Latin word bunio, which means turnip.

Hammer toe is a condition where a toe bends downward like a claw. You can be born with hammer toe or develop it from wearing short, narrow shoes. Symptoms of hammer toe include foot pain, calluses on the sole of the foot, or corns on the top of the toe. Treatment of mild cases and cases in children can include foot manipulation and splinting of the toe. More severe cases may need surgery to straighten the toe joint.

What is athlete’s foot?
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection of the skin of your feet. The fungus, tinea pedis, is contracted from public environments. The fungus then grows in the warm and moist environment of your footwear, and can be difficult to eradicate. Most commonly, people experience the typical symptoms of athlete’s foot:

*Itching, most notably in the creases between your toes
*Redness and scaling of the skin in affected areas
*Cracked or blistered skin.

Arch pain is the term used to describe symptoms that occur under the arch of the foot. When a patient has arch pain they usually have inflammation of the tissues within the midfoot. The arch of the foot is formed by a tight band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.

If you have diabetes you are more prone to foot problems, because the disease can damage your blood vessels and nerves. This, in turn, may make you less able to sense injury or pressure on your foot. You may not notice a foot injury until severe infection develops. To prevent injury to the feet, check and care for your feet EVERY DAY, especially if you already have known nerve or blood vessel damage or current foot problems.