Some foot deformities are present from birth and some can slowly build up over time, causing pain and discomfort. For milder cases of foot deformities, braces and conservative treatment may be enough to correct the condition. If these methods do not improve your condition, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to get your feet back in good shape.
Common Foot Deformities Seen by Manhattan Podiatrists
1 Bunion
One of the most common foot deformities that we see at Best Foot Doctor in Manhattan is bunions. This very painful condition is often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. It is more prevalent in women than in men because of the nature of high heels and fashion footwear. This causes the bones in the big toe to move around, inflaming the area and causing significant pain and deformity.
Shoe orthotics may be enough to correct bunions on their own, but because of the painful nature of this foot deformity, surgery is sometimes required to fix the condition.
2 Flat feet
While flat feet are common in children, an adult with this foot deformity may be severely inconvenienced by the condition. The arches in people with flat feet “fall” when the individual is standing, giving the illusion that their feet are flat on the bottom. The arch “reappears” when walking or in other positions.
If flat feet do not go away on their own, your Manhattan podiatrist may recommend inserts for your shoes, or in rare cases, surgery, to correct this foot deformity.
3 Hammertoe, Claw Toe, and Mallet Toe
Hammertoe, claw toes, and mallet toes are common foot deformities that we treat here in Manhattan. While they are occasionally a symptom of another condition, generally hammertoes and the like are caused by shoes that do not fit correctly. There may be a genetic predisposition to these conditions, but wearing proper footwear and taking care of your general foot health can help prevent these issues from arising.
Surgery is a common solution to correct hammertoe, claw toe, and mallet toe foot deformities. If you have questions about these conditions or would like more information, please talk with your podiatrist.
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4 High Arches
The opposite to flat feet, individuals with abnormally high arches may find it difficult or painful to walk. High arches may be hereditary or a symptom of another underlying condition. In many cases, high arches can be corrected by physical therapy, but in severe cases, surgery may be required to correct this foot deformity.
5 Gout
When uric acid builds up in the joint below the big toe, the crystals that form can be intensely painful as well as causing a bone-like protrusion at the joint. Gout can be triggered by eating red meat or oysters or beer. Medications that treat gout help reduce the levels of uric acid in the body and calm the inflammation that is a signature of this condition.
Lifestyle changes (like losing weight and avoiding trigger foods) can help reduce the effects of gout. While it normally shows up first in the feet, gout can travel to other joints of the body as well.
Finding a Manhattan Podiatrist for Foot Deformities
If you are located in the Manhattan area of New York City (NYC) and are looking for a podiatrist to help with a foot deformity, Best Foot Doctor in Manhattan is ready to help. Our office is staffed with a high-quality care team who can help you understand your best options for treatment and how to keep your feet healthy. Give our offices a call today to schedule an appointment.