Made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, your feet are an essential part of your orthopedic health. They can take you far, but not when they’re in pain. The daily aching and pain in your feet is not something you have to deal with for the rest of your life. Once you understand why your chronic foot pain is happening, you can move toward treating the pain.
At South Shore Orthopedics, we know how difficult it can be to deal with foot pain. It is a part of your body that takes you everywhere you need to go. You can start your journey towards less pain today with a consultation! We are here to help you get your best foot forward.
How To Treat Chronic Foot Pain
What Causes Chronic Foot Pain?
When you are a patient with chronic foot pain, it can be hard to figure out what is causing it. There are reasons stemming from incorrect footwear to a medical condition that can all influence the way your feet feel on a daily basis. There is no age limit on foot pain as it can present at any point during a person’s life. When the condition becomes more severe, it can impact other areas of the body as well.
The most common causes of chronic foot pain:
- Bunions
- Broken toe or foot
- Stress fractures
- Gout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Plantar fasciitis
Each of these can bring different types of pain to the foot. Diagnosing the condition can be the first step toward finding a solution. The affected area depends greatly on the cause, as they can each cause pain in very different parts of the foot. Something such as a broken toe would obviously be felt mainly in the toe and base of it. On the other hand, a condition such as a bone spur could be felt all over the foot, potentially the heel or closer to the toes as well.
What Sections Of The Foot Can Be Affected?
Heel
When you feel pain in the heel of your foot, this is typically due to the presence of a bone spur or plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is considered the most common cause of heel pain and occurs when the band of tissues connecting the heel bone to the toes is inflamed.
Toe
While plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, gout is the most common cause of toe pain. This is a type of arthritis that forms in the toe. Bunions are also common for toe pain. The footwear you use can affect this, as well as genetics.
Ball of Your Foot
There are often causes of pain in the ball of your foot that are due to an overuse injury. This can cause inflammation that leads to pain in the area.
Arch
Sometimes, when there is pain in the arch of the foot, it is attributed to aging, weight, stress, or even a neurological issue. There is also overpronation which means your foot rolls inward as you move. This basically means you over-flatten your feet.
How Is It Treated?
Before ever having to step foot in the doctor’s office, there are a few ways you can treat chronic foot pain. This includes an over-the-counter medication or a type of topical gel or cream to relieve mild pain. Changing your shoes could also be a factor to alter and see if it impacts the feeling.
Once your doctor has determined the cause and pain, they can establish a suitable treatment plan. This may include a prescribed nerve pain medication, nerve block injections, or a more invasive procedure, depending on the severity of the cause of the chronic foot pain. These options will all be discussed when you come in for an initial consultation.
Contact South Shore Orthopedics
Your feet are an essential part of a successful quality of life. The longer you ignore chronic foot pain, the greater chance that something will get worse. There are many causes that you may not have considered, and we are here to help. Are you dealing with pain that just will not go away? Meet with our team for a treatment plan that suits your needs. Check out our website or give us a call for even more information regarding chronic foot pain.