5 Foot Problems You Might Not Notice

Our feet are sensitive, which is why when there’s a problem, you generally feel it. However, some foot conditions have subtle signs that could easily be mistaken for something else, or are entirely asymptomatic. Today, we at My Chicago Foot Expert will be exploring 5 foot problems you might not notice.

Early Charcot Foot

Charcot Foot mainly affects diabetics and those with advanced peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately, it can cause bone weakening and joint destruction without any warning of pain; due to the loss of sensation, a person might not feel the micro-fractures occurring.

Instead, the foot may simply feel warm, appear red, and swell, which are symptoms often mistaken for a common infection or sprain. Without immediate recognition and immobilization, the foot can rapidly develop a severe rocker-bottom deformity.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease occurs due to plaque buildup, and it is notorious for being a silent circulatory issue. But it’s not completely invisible: many people mistakenly attribute leg pain during walking or exercise to aging or muscle cramps. However, this pain that eases with rest is a classic sign of PAD.

Other subtle clues include cold feet, changes in skin color, or hair loss on the legs. Because PAD can be a silent precursor to heart attack and stroke, staying on top of your bloodwork is crucial.

Morton’s Neuroma

In its early stages, neuroma might not cause sharp pain. Instead, it can feel like you have a wrinkled sock or a pebble in your shoe, or you might experience mild tingling or numbness in the toes.

These subtle sensations are well known in the podiatry community, but someone experiencing them for the first time may ignore them or attribute them to poor footwear. If it’s left untreated, however, the nerve thickening can worsen and cause burning or shooting pain.

Stress Fractures

You’ll feel a full fracture. A stress fracture, not so much. They are mainly just tiny cracks in your metatarsals, which develop gradually from repetitive stress (often in runners or people who rapidly increase activity).

In the early stages, the pain might be a general ache that worsens with activity and eases with rest, which can be easily mistaken for muscle soreness or fatigue. There might not even be swelling or bruising, which makes it impossible for the eye to detect.

Flat Feet

While some people with flat feet experience significant pain, many have flexible flat feet that cause no symptoms at all. Because there’s no pain, they often don’t realize their arches collapsing under weight.

While asymptomatic, this altered foot structure can contribute to walking abnormalities, which cause increased strain on the knees, hips, and lower back over time.

For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.