Saturday, November 14, 2015

The Truth About Navicular Pain

By Mattie Knight


The navicular bone is a bone in the ankle or wrist that is shaped something like a boat. An accessory navicular bone is an extra bone that sometimes develops on the inside of the foot in front of the ankle or on the hand. It affects between two and 15 percent of the population and is genetic. It is a common cause of lameness in horses. In humans, it is normally asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, one of them is navicular pain. Other symptoms include bunions, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.

Doctors who specialize in diseases and other conditions in the foot are known as podiatrists. An older name for them is chiropodist and some practitioners still refer to themselves by this term. In Australia, they may be called podiatric physicians or podiatric surgeons, while in non English-speaking countries in Europe, they may go by the name of podologo or podologist.

Podiatrists also take care of the leg as well as the feet. Training in medical school to become a foot doctor is arduous and comprehensive. The curriculum embraces topics such as genetics, biomechanics, microbiology, physical rehabilitation, biochemistry, pharmacology, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, and women's health in addition to basic anatomy and physiology.

One of the most common conditions that will drive an individual to visit the podiatrist is a broken toe. These tough little digits may fracture in response to a major catastrophic event like a crush injury, or a repeated insult over time. The waiting room will be filled with ballet dancers, athletes and construction workers. The symptoms of a fractured phalange include pain, bruising, stiffness, redness and swelling.

Most toe breaks heal within a month or two. First aid includes elevating the foot, put it on ice and abstain from putting any pressure on it. Make the most of it, this is your chance to be waited on hand and foot.

A broken toe is annoying, painful and can even be debilitating. Other, less serious, foot conditions include gout, ingrown toenails, corns or athlete's foot. Ingrowing toenails are a consequence of wearing shoes that are too tight in the toe area. Common sense and comfort are sacrificed for the sake of fashion. Ultimately, an ingrown toenail may be so deep and painful that surgery is required. Athlete's foot is characterized by a dry, red rash on the skin between the toes. This condition may be avoided by staying away from communal shower rooms and swimming pools, where feet congregate with shallow water.

Generally, we don't seem to take our feet seriously and often overlook or neglect foot conditions. Often, this is because we are too embarrassed. We think they are too trivial and don't want to bother the doctor or look like a wimp or an idiot. This is, emotionally speaking, penny wise and pound foolish.

All you have to do is look at a painting by Toulouse Latrec to know that pain in the feet is revealed in the face. Facial expressions look tense and the eyes look a little sad. Wearing proper footwear and seeing the doctor at the first sign of trouble are the way to happy feet and happy faces.




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