Do you think aching feet at the end of every day is normal? People who suffer with chronic foot pain deal with constant discomfort and a lower quality of life — because your feet carry you everywhere you need to go. It’s important to pay attention to foot pain because ignoring it can lead to serious health issues.
In addition diagnosing your problems and providing proper treatment, the team at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center can help you deal with your pain, whether it’s caused by plantar fasciitis, gout, or something else. With locations in both Arlington and Dallas, Texas, our experts see you through every step of the diagnosis and treatment process.
There are lots of reasons for foot pain. It can be due to lack of movement, improper footwear, an underlying illness, or an injury. Foot pain can appear at any age and, depending on severity, affect the rest of your body, like your ankles, knees, hips, and back. Some common causes are:
This is not an exhaustive list. In fact, this isn’t even the half of it. Chronic foot pain can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t know where the pain is coming from.
If you’re having pain specifically in the arch of your foot, our specialists may attribute that to aging, weight gain, overuse, stress, or a neurological issue. One common reason for arch pain is overpronation, which is a fancy way of saying that the outside of your heel hits the ground first when you walk. Over time, overpronation hurts your tendons, muscles, and ligaments, causing chronic foot pain.
Do you feel pain mostly in the heel of your foot? This kind of discomfort can be caused by heel spurs or plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis develops when the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed. Sometimes it hurts worse in the morning, and you may even feel pain in the arch of your foot.
If you feel pain in the ball of your foot, it might be due to an overuse injury such as metatarsalgia, which causes painful inflammation. A less common reason for discomfort in the ball of your foot is Morton’s neuroma, which is a thickened section of nerve tissue between the base of your toes. Women experience this condition more often than men because they frequently wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes.
The most common reason for toe pain is gout. Gout is a kind of arthritis that forms in your toes, causing pain and swelling and most often affecting the big toe. A bunion is another common foot ailment that shows up on the edge of your foot. It’s a bony lump that forms next to the big toe. Wearing tight-fitting or uncomfortable footwear can lead to a bunion, and genetics also may play a role.
Treatment depends on the underlying issue causing your foot pain. Usually, once the primary problem is treated, the pain subsides.
You can try a few remedies on your own. Over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and some topical analgesics like gels or creams can relieve mild foot pain. Rest and ice your feet during the day. Also, consider a foot massage to stimulate circulation, reduce tension, and soothe muscles. Wear comfortable shoes that offer support without putting too much pressure on your feet.
For severe pain, visit your podiatrist. Our doctors may prescribe nerve pain medication or nerve block injections to numb the part of the foot that hurts. We can fit you with custom orthotic inserts to help support your feet and reduce pressure. We also offer regenerative medicine services.
The best way to deal with your chronic foot pain is to give us a call at AllCare Foot & Ankle Center or schedule an appointment with our convenient online scheduling tool. No one should live with chronic foot pain, and we can help.
