Foot Pain

Foot pain is dreadful and very uncomfortable to go through; the experience of foot pain, both mild and severe, can make completing daily tasks a constant struggle. You are always on your feet, whether it be going to the store or playing a sport, any kind of a pain in the feet needs to be dealt with immediately as you do not want to put your life at a halt. 

Unfortunately, feet are especially at risk of stress due to the constant impact and pressure they experience on a daily basis. Activities such as walking, running, exercising, and something as simple as standing in one spot put your feet in a constant stress position. Your feet aren’t something you just walk on, remember there are an array of bones, joints, nerves, and muscles underneath the skin that are susceptible to damage at any given point. Here we are going to explain some of the most common types of foot pain, their causes, and how they are treated.

 Common Causes of Foot Pain

Did you know that medical experts estimate that at least 25% of the population will experience some kind of foot pain during one’s lifetime? That may not seem like a big number, but that is 1 and 4 people. The location of foot pain isn’t specific to one spot; it can be the top, side, heel, and or ball of the foot. Here are the most common causes of foot pain:

Structure of the Foot  

The structure of one’s foot can play a huge role in the way one develops foot pain, sometimes it is genetic, and at other times it is physically formed due to outlying factors. 

• A High Arch: Pressure on the bones in your foot’s ball is one of the main causes of pain the foot due to a high arch. A high arch doesn’t always cause intense pain; put it can lead to inflammation and mild discomfort. 
• Bunions: Bunions can be caused both genetically and by wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. It is noticed as a bony bump on the joint of the big point, due to its placement, it rubs against socks and shoes, leading to pain while walking.  
• Flat Feet: When the foot’s arch doesn’t develop, or the foot collapses, it can lead to flat feet. A flat foot can be corrected with the proper arch support and a podiatrist’s assistance in some cases.

Overuse

We all like to be out and about doing the things we love, but overworking your feet without taking the proper care and breaks will lead to foot pain. If you have to be on your feet a lot for work or because you are an athletic person, ensure that at all times you are wearing comfortable and good fitting shoes.  

Foot pain due to overuse can vary depending on your specific condition. Some things you can do to help alleviate pressure besides wearing good shoes are distributing the weight of your body. Too much weight on one side can lead to a ball’s development on the foot’s bottom. As many people know, walking with a pebble or stone inside your shoe is uncomfortable and annoying. Imagine that sensation, but it isn’t as easily fixed as removing and shaking your shoe.  

Injury and Trauma to the Foot 

As we mentioned above, the foot is one of the most common body parts to experience stress or injury at any point throughout the day. A strain, sprain, fracture, or even stubbed toe can have a serious impact on the foot. If you have suffered any injury or trauma to the foot and are experiencing mild to severe pain, you need to see a specialist right away. 

Common foot problems need to be diagnosed by a professional, you can think that it is something very small, but it can actually be a problem that is quite severe. Feet are sensitive, an undiagnosed injury can start with just a little pain, but the more pressure you put on it throughout the day, it can lead to more grave damages. 

Ill-fitting Shoes

 Believe it or not, this is one of the top causes of pain in the foot. Those pretty high-heels or dashing pointed dress shoes can cause a wide array of foot pain related injuries such as calluses, corns, tendinitis, and even ingrown toenails. 

Underlying Conditions 

Though it may sound a bit weird, underlying medical conditions can also cause problems within the foot. These can often put patients backtracking all of the different things they did in their day to cause foot pain. In order to treat foot pain caused by an underlying condition, your healthcare professional needs to test and treat for any conditions. Some of the most common underlying conditions that cause foot pain are: 

• Arthritis
• Gout
• Diabetes 
• Osteoarthritis
• HPV 
• Among Others  

Taking precautions through every activity, you take part in throughout your day is essential. Especially if you are a young child or an elderly adult, there are many causes of foot pain, so should you experience any pain in the foot, you must contact Global Podiatry. Our highly trained staff will attend to you, examine, and help find a solution for you. 

Treatments for Foot Pain 

Treatments for foot pain can vary depending on the severity of the pain and the injury. At Global Podiatry, we strongly suggest that those suffering from discomfort make an appointment to be checked properly due to some cases of mild discomfort leading to more severe injuries. 

Some things that you can do on your own before consulting a professional is trying over the counter anti-inflammatories such as Advil or Tylenol, weight loss, applying heat and cold packs to the affected area, massage therapy, and some good old fashioned rest. If you still continue to feel discomfort, do not hesitate to contact Global Podiatry. We guarantee that our team will get to the bottom of your injury and discomfort and provide a solution so you can get back to living your life. 

Recovery From Foot Pain 

The recovery time of your foot pain will all depend on three things; your age, the condition, and how much care you take on your own. It is easy to forget and try and push our bodies, but it needs time to heal with pain in the foot. Even if your recovery time is extended, it is always important to listen to the professionals, otherwise, you will find yourself repeatedly in the doctor’s office and undergoing more treatments and waiting longer for recovery.