Many diseases and conditions cause problems with the feet. The two main types of foot problems include conditions that originate in the foot, called primary causes, and conditions that occur because of a disease process or syndrome present in other parts of the body, also known as secondary causes.
Bunion
A bunion is a bump on the joint where the big toe attaches to the foot, and it is made of soft tissue and bone. This bump develops as the big toe points inward toward the second toe. Bunions occur more in women, reports MedlinePlus, and narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes are often the culprit. Early signs of a bunion formation include red, calloused skin and pain over the big toe joint.
Treatment for a bunion includes wearing shoes with wide toes and providing padding on the area that is painful. In the case of severe deformity or pain, MedlinePlus also states that there are over 100 surgical techniques to remove the bunion and realign the toe. Possible complications of the removal of the bunion include chronic foot pain.
Raynaud's Syndrome
Raynaud's syndrome is a disorder that causes constriction of the tiny blood vessels in the toes and fingers. The Cleveland Clinic reports that Raynaud's syndrome occurs in two types: primary Raynaud's phenomenon, in which the disease occurs without relation to any other disease, and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, in which an underlying disease or condition causes the symptoms.
In addition, the clinic reports that secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is less common, but is a more serious disorder. Symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome include the toes feeling cold and cyanosis, or blueness, of the toes due to a lack of oxygen-rich blood. Treatment includes keeping the feet warm and dry, stopping smoking to improve circulation, controlling stress and taking medications as prescribed by a health care professional.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma, a noncancerous growth of nerve tissue, develops in a nerve in the foot. The most common place, according to MayoClinic.com, is between the third and fourth toes. The tissue around the nerve to the toe thickens in response to an injury or irritation to the nerve.
Symptoms of Morton's neuroma include intense pain in the ball of the foot and numbness in the affected toes. The causes vary from wearing shoes that don't fit correctly to athletic activities, surgery or injury. Conservative treatments include arch supports to relieve pressure points, over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is recommended by MayoClinic.com as a last resort, because removal of the neuroma requires removal of the nerve.
