A painful foot can significantly impact your mobility and your overall sense of wellness. There are a number of causes for foot pain, and it takes experts like those at The Foot Doctors of Santa Cruz County to determine the best way to get you back on your feet. For an evaluation and expert treatment plan for your foot pain, call or book an appointment with their office in Watsonville or Santa Cruz, California.
Foot Pain Q & A
What is foot pain?
Foot pain can be described as pain involving any part of the foot, from the toes to the back of the heel. The foot is made of large and small bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. This intricate system allows for mobility and balance, and injury to it can greatly impact your health.
Because there many causes for foot pain, proper evaluation and treatment are vital. Many foot problems can be the result of more serious issues, as in the case of diabetes.
Left untreated, many foot problems can lead to significant complications including immobility, amputation, and systemic infections.
What causes foot pain?
There are a large number of possible causes of foot pain. The most common causes include:
- Congenital defects
- Ill-fitting footwear
- Bone misalignment
- Traumatic injury
- Infections
- Wounds
- Cysts
- Bunions
- Hammertoe
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Ingrown toenails
- Warts
Systemic problems that may impact your feet and cause pain are gout, diabetes, arthritis, or inflammatory disorders.
Other possible causes for foot pain are neuromas, which are bundles of inflamed nerves around the toes; or sesamoiditis, which is injury or rupture of two small bones under the big toe.
How is foot pain treated?
Your podiatry team determines treatment for your foot pain after a thorough physical exam and health history. If needed, they may take X-rays or perform other diagnostic testings.
Depending on the cause, your treatment plan may include:
- Physical therapy
- Immobilization
- Orthotics
- Steroid injections
- Oral medications
- Proper footwear
In the case of problems like bunions, neuromas, or traumatic injury, surgery may be required to give you relief and help you to return to full mobility.
What are the possible ways to prevent foot pain?
To prevent foot injury and problems that often lead to foot pain, you may:
- Wear supportive footwear
- Practice good foot hygiene
- Monitor for injury, infection, or wounds
- Stretch before exercising
- Rest and elevate feet
- Avoid long periods of walking or standing
If you are unable to bear weight, have open wounds or a traumatic injury, or if your pain is not relieved with a period of rest, it is important to see your podiatrist to avoid further complications.
For an expert evaluation of your foot pain, call or book an appointment online today.
