Foot Pain Specialist

What causes foot pain?

Your feet are vulnerable to many issues that can cause pain. Some of these are due to acute instances, like a fall, poor footwear, overuse, or illness. 

The most common causes of foot pain include:

• Ingrown toenails
• Fungal infections, including athlete’s foot and nail fungus
• Corns and calluses
• Plantar warts
• Neuromas, including Morton’s neuroma
• Flat feet
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Various types of arthritis, including gout
• Foot deformities, including bunions, hammertoe, and Haglund’s deformity
• Foot ulcers and wounds
• Foot and ankle fractures
• Sports injuries, including sprains, strains, and stress fractures

Heel pain at the bottom of your foot is likely due to plantar fasciitis or heel spurs.

What other symptoms can occur with foot pain?

Symptoms that may occur along with foot pain include redness, swelling, bruising, or numbness. These symptoms can appear in different parts of your foot, including the heel, sole, ball, arch, forefoot, ankle, or toes.

Foot pain can cause you to limp or walk in a manner that causes compensatory pain in your hips, knees, or back. 

When should I seek treatment for foot pain?

If you suffer mild foot pain for longer than a day or two, have pain that worsens with time, or experience acute pain that prevents you from walking normally, it’s time to seek medical care. 

Pain that comes on suddenly or that results from an accident also benefits from immediate care. People with a condition like diabetes or vascular disease also should get immediate, professional care for foot pain, even if it seems mild. Seemingly minor issues can become serious infections without proper care and treatment. 

How do you treat foot pain? 

Your podiatrist performs a careful, comprehensive examination of your foot and ankle. They also review your symptoms and medical history. Depending on the nature of your pain, they may order blood tests, X-rays, or MRI scans to form their diagnosis. 

Your customized treatment plan may include:

• Over-the-counter or prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Foot orthotics or braces
• Injection therapy
• Laser therapy
• Activity modification
• Icing the foot

When these conservative treatments aren’t effective at reducing your pain, you may require surgery. Your podiatrist takes extra care to educate you on all of your treatment options. 

For advanced care of foot pain, call one of the locations of Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists today or use this website to schedule your appointment online.