Foot Pain
What is Foot Pain?
Foot pain occurs from distress induced by certain factors in the foot. It is a common problem experienced by young athletes involved in various activities such as running and jumping.
The foot is composed of different structures including bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. As feet bear the weight of our body, they are more prone to injury and pain. Normally, foot pain can be treated through home treatments and may take time to heal. However, in cases of severe injury, adequate evaluation and treatment is required.
What are the Causes of Foot Pain?
Foot pain may arise due to advanced age, being overweight, excessive sports activities or walking, foot injury or trauma, inborn foot deformities, poorly fitted shoes, and from standing on your feet for a long duration. Certain disorders and conditions may also induce foot pain and include:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Bone spurs
- Broken ankle, foot or toe
- Bunions
- Suffering from conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, gout and osteoarthritis
- Foot deformities such as hammertoe, mallet toe, planter warts, ingrown toenails and many others
- Foot tendinitis
- Foot tumors
How is Foot Pain Diagnosed?
The causes for foot pain can be diagnosed by using imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scan and MRI scans.
What are the Treatment Options for Foot Pain?
The treatment of foot pain depends upon the fundamental cause. The usual measures for foot pain treatment include rest, medications, ice, compression, elevation, using crutches to avoid load on the foot and performing stretching and strengthening exercises. Other medical treatments that may be considered include ultrasound, electrical stimulators and laser therapy to enhance circulation and stimulate healing. In some cases, depending upon the condition of the patient and the underlying deformity, surgery may be recommended.
