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Morton’s neuroma

Men’s feet and ankles take a beating, with jobs that often require long hours standing or walking, and leisure activities involving running and jumping. But men tend to ignore foot and ankle problems until pain starts slowing them down. It’s important for men to know that pain is not normal, and most foot and ankle conditions are easier to treat when diagnosed early.

Foot and ankle problems commonly experienced by men
Ankle Sprain

 

Ankle Sprain - Participating in sports activities is one way men can get a sprained ankle. But even day-to-day activities such as walking on an uneven surface or slipping on an icy sidewalk can produce the painful stretching or tearing of the ankle ligament. If an old sprain wasn’t completely rehabilitated, the ankle may repeatedly get sprained, resulting in chronic ankle instability.

Morton’s neuroma – Also called “intermetatarsal neuroma,” this is a thickening of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot resulting from compression and irritation of the nerve. Causes include activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or court sports. Symptoms start gradually and may come and go when the nerve is irritated due to activity. But it’s important to have it treated early on before the damage becomes more severe. Think you may have a neuroma? Listen to the What are Neuromas and What do They Feel Like? podcast.

Tendonitis and tendonosis of the Achilles tendon are usually caused by a sudden increase of a repetitive activity. Participation in athletics, especially by those who are less conditioned and participate in athletics only on weekends, puts one at high risk for developing disorders of the Achilles tendon. These problems are also common in men whose work puts stress on their ankles and feet, such as laborers.

Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon

Heel pain

This condition is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, although it may also be due to other causes including stress fractures. Although faulty foot structure is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis, it can also result from wearing shoes that are worn out or not designed for the sport in which you’re participating. Keeping the Achilles tendon stretched can help get rid of this pain, but continued pain should be checked out to rule out a fracture or other cause. More information on heel pain can be heard by listening to the Heel Pain podcast.

Ingrown Toenails

 - Tendonitis and tendonosis of the Achilles tendon are usually caused by a sudden increase of a repetitive activity. Participation in athletics, especially by those who are less conditioned and participate in athletics only on weekends, puts one at high risk for developing disorders of the Achilles tendon. These problems are also common in men whose work puts stress on their ankles and feet, such as laborers.

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