Less than one in every two thousand people are affected by rare diseases. Here are three conditions specific to the foot that can be treated:
- Complex regional pain syndrome, also known as algodystrophy;
- The coalition of tarsi;
- Multiple exostoses or Bessel-Hagen illness
A rare joint condition called algodystrophy
A uncommon condition called algodystrophy affects the limbs, specifically the arms, hands, legs, and feet. The majority of individuals are affected by this condition, also known as complex regional pain syndrome, which typically starts after a trauma or injury, with or without a negative influence on the nervous system. The illness may last for months before ending as suddenly as it started.
Algodystrophy progresses via various stages. In the affected area of the foot, the pain first manifests as a stabbing feeling that makes movement challenging. The skin in the affected area gets inflamed, and the unpleasant area enlarges. It's the early warm acute stage at this point, and the pain and burning are both enduring.
The cold stage comes after the warm period. The skin becomes smoother, the swelling-related symptoms disappear, and the heated sensation is exchanged for a cool one.
It's critical to start the podiatrist's recommended rehabilitation programs as soon as possible to reduce the risk of this condition. The likelihood of quickly restoring a healthy foot increases the faster the affected area is treated. The feet and lower limbs' balance and stability can also be restored with the help of foot orthoses. When orthotics are used in conjunction with the exercises suggested by your podiatrist, stiffness and improper alignment are prevented from developing in the foot, reducing the risk of developing future issues.
Tarsal coalition
A stiff or partially rigid connection between two bones where there should have been soft tissue or a space that would have enabled the joint to move characterizes the unusual foot ailment known as tarsal coalition. This unusual foot ailment is inherited at birth, although the pain and discomfort may not manifest until later in life.
As the foot stiffens, it becomes more prone to injury and sprains. Less mobility in the affected area forces the nearby joints to put extra strain on the foot to make up for it, which can lead to early wear and tear and osteoarthritis. In half of tarsal coalition cases, patients experience comparable symptoms in both feet.
Tarsal coalition may be identified by medical imaging, and your podiatrist can suggest treatment to help you manage the disease. You have a number of alternatives, including wearing orthopedic shoes like DrLuigi, using foot orthotics, taking medicine, and, in some cases, having surgery.
The Bessel-Hagen condition
A hereditary genetic condition, Bessel-Hagen disease is also known as osteochondromas or multiple exostoses of the foot. A bony growth distinguishes it as a benign tumor. The foot, knee, and rest of the body are all impacted by this uncommon illness. Solitary exostosis and subungual exostosis are two subtypes of the foot exostosis family, which includes Bessel-Hagen disease.
Solitary exostosis is a rare condition that may go unreported by the patient because it doesn't hurt or bother them.
Subungual exostosis frequently occurs following a broken or damaged toe. Finally, multiple exostoses are a genetic condition that runs in families.
Because they result in limb abnormalities, many exostoses might be seen. They start to experience pain when a tumor squeezes their nerves or restricts their motion when a muscle or tendon is compressed.
Contrarily, wearing foot orthoses can counteract the impact of this foot problem on the alignment of the lower limbs and assist to relieve some of its symptoms. Multiple exostoses that are painful and whose volume significantly restricts the movement of the foot may still be treated surgically by a specialist.
L.F.
19.10.2022.