3 Common Causes of Foot Pain
Nearly one-fourth of the population experiences some form of foot pain at any given time. This may be due to a number of reasons, from overexertion of the muscles to selecting the wrong footwear. However, these three conditions are the most common causes of foot pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis refers to the irritation of the plantar fascia tissue which is present at the bottom region of your feet. Connecting the toes with the heel bone, the tissue is essential for providing support to the feet when you move and exercise.
In plantar fasciitis, there is a severe inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue, causing an acute pain at or near the ankle and heel. You may also experience discomfort while walking or running as the muscles in the lower extremity are unstable. In severe cases, the pain may be triggered even when you’re sitting stationary, and you may struggle with your balance as well.
Hammertoes
You know how your toes are typically aligned nice and straight under normal circumstances? This isn’t the case with individuals who have a hammertoe.
In this condition, the toe tends to clench itself in a claw-like position almost automatically, bending in the middle even when you’re sitting stationary. This is because the muscles in the foot continue to contract constantly while you walk, stretching even longer and harder than how much they should. Because of this, the toe pulls up in an odd position, resembling a hammer. A part of the bone sticks out, causing friction during movements and painful calluses and corns.
If left untreated, hammertoes can ulcerate and become even more painful than they were previously. While medication and physiotherapy are usually enough to treat this condition, surgery may sometimes be required to address the problem better.
Gout
A form of arthritis, gout is a common cause of sharp and intense foot pain. This may be because of a hereditary condition, or as a result of kidney malfunctioning where the enzymes needed to break down uric acid are absent. Either way, the urate crystals tend to solidify and strengthen even more, accumulating near the big toe joint.
Your foot can flare up in these circumstances, causing you to experience a painful sensation near or at the toe. A visit to a podiatrist should be scheduled immediately should this happen, so that they may accurately diagnose the root cause and begin a course of treatment accordingly.
Foot & Ankle Institute has a team of some of the best podiatrists to help you with your foot and ankle ailments. From bunions and arthritis to sports medicine services, we’ve got the right treatment for it all!
Call us at (305) 695-7777 to get in touch!