Our team at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio is known for providing the communities of Mentor, Chardon, Westlake, Bedford, and Garfield Heights, Ohio, with outstanding services that get you moving pain-free again.
Check these facts about five common causes of foot pain and how we can help:
1. Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition caused by micro-tears and inflammation in the thick band of fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of your foot, which attaches your heel bone to your toes. The sharp and stabbing pain related to plantar fasciitis occurs on the bottom of the foot near the heel.
Plantar fasciitis pain is usually at its worst when you first stand in the morning and typically decreases with activity. However, the discomfort often returns with prolonged standing or when you get up after sitting.
2. Arthritis
Arthritis can occur in the ankle and joints of the foot, often causing pain with and without walking, joint stiffness, and problems with balance and mobility. You may also notice redness, warmth, and swelling around the affected joints.
Arthritis is sometimes related to a faulty immune system (rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis) or age-related changes in joint cartilage (osteoarthritis). Gouty arthritis, caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joint of the big toe, usually occurs suddenly and causes significant pain, redness, and swelling.
3. Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma occurs when the tissue surrounding nerves in your foot thickens, causing nerve irritation and sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Symptoms usually occur in the area between the third and fourth toes. You may also experience stinging pain or numbness in the affected toes.
4. Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy causes burning, tingling, numbness, and electric shock-type pain that typically begins in your feet and spreads upward as the condition progresses. Related to nerve damage caused by elevated blood sugar levels, diabetic neuropathy is a painful and often debilitating condition that may affect balance and mobility.
5. Bunions
Bunions develop when the metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe shifts out of alignment, causing a prominent bulge at the side of the foot. The big toe also slants inward and may eventually overlap the second toe if left untreated.
Bunions can develop on one or both feet and sometimes on the outer foot, involving the little toe. As a bunion worsens, it can cause significant pain that often spreads from the toe into the ball of the foot and increases with standing or walking.
Treating foot pain
At Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio, treatment for foot pain starts with a thorough evaluation, including an exam, a careful review of your symptoms, and diagnostic imaging studies as necessary.
Based on the results, your personalized treatment strategy may include:
- Custom orthotics
- Cortisone injections to decrease inflammation
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to promote healing
- Activity modification
- Change in shoe style or type
- Stem cell injections
- Bracing or night splints
Should conservative measures fail to relieve your symptoms adequately, you may benefit from a minimally invasive surgery such as plantar fasciotomy for plantar fasciitis or bunionectomy.
Schedule an evaluation at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio today for help with your foot pain. Call the office or use our secure online service to request an appointment.