What is foot pain?
Foot pain is a common musculoskeletal condition caused by an injury, overuse, or inflammation. Each of your feet contains more than 20 bones and 33 joints. These bones work with muscles, tendons, and ligaments to assist you in your day-to-day activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs. While your bones and joints work incredibly hard, they aren’t invincible.
Foot pain varies in severity depending on what’s causing it. Some people experience dull and throbbing pain in their feet. For others, foot pain can be sharp and stabbing.
No matter what type of foot pain you’re suffering from, treatment is available at Permian Basin Foot and Ankle.
What are some common causes of foot pain?
Foot pain happens for a number of reasons. The team regularly diagnoses and treats foot pain caused by:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bone spurs
- Broken feet
- Ingrown toenails
- Morton’s neuroma
- Foot deformity
- Tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Corns and calluses
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar warts
They also treat foot pain caused by damaged nerves, like peripheral neuropathy.
Where does foot pain occur?
Foot pain can occur anywhere in your feet and toes. But two of the most common types of foot pain are:
Heel pain
Heel pain is usually felt at the underside or back of your heel. In most cases, heel pain isn’t the result of a serious medical condition. But without proper treatment, it can affect your mobility, preventing you from walking, standing, or participating in your normal routine. Some of the most common causes of heel pain include plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis.
Arch pain
Arch pain occurs in the middle of the sole of your foot. Depending on the underlying cause, arch pain may worsen with physical activity or flare-up first thing in the morning. The most common causes of arch pain include overpronation, cavus foot, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD).
What’s the process for diagnosing foot pain?
To diagnose foot pain, the team at Permian Basin Foot and Ankle reviews your medical history, asks you questions about your symptoms, and performs an exam. They may carefully press on different areas of your foot to pinpoint the source of your pain.
If the exam doesn’t provide enough information, they may ask you to complete a series of in-office exercises to observe your gait and posture. They may also order X-rays to get a more in-depth look at the bones and joints in your feet.
If you or a loved one is suffering from foot pain, make an appointment with Permian Basin Foot and Ankle by calling the office nearest you, or using the online booking tool.
