Some foot problems start in the foot itself, for example, from a foot injury. Others result from disorders that affect many parts of the body, such as diabetes, gout, or other types of arthritis. Problems can occur in any bone, joint, muscle, tendon, or ligament of the foot. Foot fractures are fairly common (see Fractures: Foot and Ankle Fractures). Discoloration of the toenails should always be evaluated because it may be caused by certain disorders, including a fungal infection (see Nail Disorders).

People who have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the legs, arms, and possibly internal organs) should check their feet daily for signs of infection or ulcers and should have a doctor or foot doctor (podiatrist) check their feet at least once a year (see Peripheral Arterial Disease: Caring for the Feet).

Spotlight on Aging
With aging, many changes occur in the feet. For instance, there is typically less hair, brown coloration (pigmentation) may occur in spots or patches, and the skin may become dry. The toenails often become thicker and curved, and fungal infections of the nails occur commonly. The feet may actually enlarge in length and width because of changes in the ligaments and joints. A person with these types of changes may need to wear larger shoes. Therefore, feet should be measured periodically or when purchasing new shoes. Also, feet can be damaged by a lifetime of ill-fitting shoes.

Many foot disorders are treated by changing a person's footwear, such as wearing different shoes or using inserts or other devices placed in the shoe that change the position or range of movement of the foot to relieve pressure on affected joints or painful areas (called orthotics or orthoses). Injections of an anesthetic into the affected joint or painful area can often relieve pain and decrease muscle spasms so that joints can move more easily, and a corticosteroid may also be injected to decrease inflammation. If these treatments are not successful, sometimes surgery is needed to improve joint alignment and function and relieve pain.

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Some Common Foot and Ankle Disorders by Location Ankle Tarsal tunnel syndrome Tibialis posterior tendinosis Ball of the foot Interdigital nerve pain (Morton neuroma) Freiberg disease Metatarsal joint pain Sesamoiditis Heel (bottom) Inferior calcaneal bursitis Plantar fasciosis Heel (back part) Achilles tendon enthesopathy Achilles tendon bursitis Medial plantar nerve entrapment Sole Plantar fibromatosis Toe Bunion Hammer toe

Last full review/revision December 2012 by Kendrick Alan Whitney, DPM