Foot Pain

What are the causes of foot pain?

Specific conditions that often cause foot pain include:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, the leading cause of pain on the bottom of the heel, develops because of inflammation in the plantar fascia. This is a length of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports the arch.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common in the feet and many other joints, but a type of arthritis that’s particularly likely to affect the feet is gout. This condition results from a buildup of uric acid in the body that forms crystals, most often in the big toe joints.

Achilles tendon injuries

Your Achilles tendon (at the back of the ankle) can suffer from overuse injuries (Achilles tendonitis), or acute trauma that tears or ruptures the tissue. These problems are common in athletes.

Shin splints

Shin splints are tender areas that develop on the front of your lower legs. They usually arise from running on hard surfaces or for too long, scenarios that cause inflammation in the tissues covering your shin bones.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is pain in one or both of the balls of your feet. It’s often due to overuse and is more common in people with high arches.

Morton’s neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is due to a thickened nerve in your foot — typically between the third and fourth toes.

What can I do if I have foot pain?

If you have foot pain, rest the foot, apply ice to reduce swelling and pain, and raise your leg when you can. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help if the pain persists. It’s also sensible to make sure you’re wearing well-fitting, supportive footwear.

If your foot pain doesn’t get better with these methods, you should contact Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation for advice. Their experienced team can examine your foot and find out what’s causing the problem. They then develop a treatment plan to resolve your foot pain and restore your mobility.

What treatments might I need for foot pain?

The treatment your Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation provider recommends for foot pain depends on what’s causing the problem. Some of the options include:

• Padding or strapping

• Splints or walking boots

• Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)

• Trigger point dry needling (TDN)

• Graston Technique®

• Joint mobilization

• Icing or cryotherapy

• Heat treatments

• Electrical stimulation

Active physical therapy techniques like targeted stretching, retraining in walking, and balance exercises can also help you recover from foot pain.

To find out more about safe, nonsurgical treatments for foot pain, call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation today, or book an appointment online.