The foot is made up of 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 ligaments, tendons and muscles, according to MedlinePlus. All of these structures work together to provide balance and allow for movement of the body. Foot disorders can affect various parts of the foot and cause problems with walking, especially in the elderly. Shoes that do not fit properly, increasing age and an increase in weight all contribute to the development of foot disorders.
Bunions
A bunion is an abnormal bump that forms at the joint in the base of the big toe, called the metatarsophalangeal joint. Because of the bunion, the affected joint increases in size and pushes against the other toes. This increases pressure on the big toe joint, which causes pain. Bunions usually form as a result of shoes that do not fit properly, but can also occur as a result of foot injuries, foot deformities and genetics, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to a visible bump that is accompanied by pain, other symptoms of a bunion include swelling and redness around the joint, calluses on the toes and decreased ability to move the big toe. Treatment for a bunion consists of taping the toes, placing pads in the shoes and over-the-counter pain medications. If the bunion causes severe pain, surgery may be required to remove the swollen tissue from around the toe joint or to remove part of the bone to straighten the toe.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are hard warts that appear most commonly on the bottom of the foot, but can also develop on the toes. Plantar warts usually begin as small black marks and grow in size until they develop a cauliflower-like appearance, according to the Warts Information Center. Plantar warts develop from an infection by the human papillomavirus and are accompanied by pain when walking. Plantar warts do not lead to any future complications and most warts do not require treatment and disappear on their own in a few months. Those that do require treatment can be removed with over-the-counter creams or frozen off by a doctor.
Pes Planus
Pes planus, or flat feet, is a condition in which the arch of the foot touches the ground. Pes planus usually occurs when the arch does not develop in childhood, but can also occur when the arch collapses due to increasing age, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms of pes planus include the absence of an arch in the foot, foot pain, ankle pain, lower leg pain and a slight head tilt. Most cases of pes planus do not require treatment. Symptoms can be relieved by placing an arch-supporting insert into shoes. Severe cases of pes planus may require ankle braces in addition to shoe inserts or surgery to mold the foot into the correct position.
