When you suffer from foot pain and deformity, daily activities can feel difficult or even unbearable. When you first experience pain in your foot, it is important to seek a board-certified podiatrist (often misspelled as “pediatrist”) who can determine the cause of your pain and the best course of treatment.
You can use the provided foot diagram to determine the location on your foot in which you are experiencing pain to help narrow down the possible causes. Additionally, you can schedule a consultation with an expert foot doctor at the Foot and Ankle Surgery Center of Excellence in Los Angeles, who can provide you with personalized patient care and help you on your way to recovery.
Foot Pain Causes
There are numerous causes of foot pain, so it is important to narrow down the specific area in which the pain is occurring, in order to better understand the possible causes of your pain. The major pain areas in your foot include:
While you may be confident about which area of your foot is in pain, it may not be clear what the cause of this pain is, as there are many different injuries, diseases and other conditions that can contribute to foot pain. In order to most accurately determine the cause of your pain or deformity, you should see a foot expert and discuss your symptoms with this doctor.
Foot Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
If foot pain (whether caused by injury or by foot deformity) is interfering with your daily life and making everyday activities difficult or impossible, you should schedule an appointment with a foot doctor who can offer a comprehensive foot pain diagnosis.
Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, your doctor may recommend conservative treatment options, such as orthotics, or you may need to undergo a surgical procedure to correct the underlying issue. For example, diabetes foot pain is very common, and typically requires only conservative treatment – sometimes even just a weight loss regimen. For some patients with chronic foot pain, however, surgery may be necessary to treat the pain, as chronic issues may indicate a badly healed injury or a condition such as arthritis (degenerative joint disease). Additionally, patients who experience foot pain when running may have suffered an injury that needs medical treatment in order to heal.
When you experience severe foot pain, it is important to have a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the foot examine you and determine the cause of the pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most common causes of foot pain?
A: There are many causes of foot pain, but some of the most common reasons include: ankle sprain, broken ankle (ankle fracture), plantar fasciitis, bunion, heel spur, hammertoe, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and torn Achilles tendon. You can learn more about these conditions and injuries, as well as treatment options, on their specific informational pages. Also chronic foot discomfort or pain usually carries a biomechanical cause (a subtle abnormality in the way your foot functions via pronation)
Q: What does it mean if I have foot swelling, in addition to my pain?
A: Swelling that is accompanied by pain often indicates an injury to the ligaments, which can become stretched and inflamed after suffering a trauma. This type of swelling is fairly common after an injury. However, foot swelling that occurs without pain and for no apparent reason can be indicative of another type of condition, such as pregnancy, venous insufficiency, or lymphedema. It is important to have your foot examined any time there is swelling for an extended period of time, in order to rule out any of these conditions.
Q: What are the causes of diabetic foot pain and how is it treated?
A: Diabetic foot pain (or foot neuropathy is typically associated with Type II diabetes and is often the result of poor circulation coupled to lack of pedal sensation. Treatment for this type of pain often includes weight loss, quitting smoking, wearing orthotics, walking regularly, and wearing proper-fitting shoes.
Q: How will a foot diagram help me determine the cause of my foot pain?
A: The purpose of our foot diagram is to help you pinpoint the specific area on your foot that is experiencing pain, and as a result, narrow down the possible causes. However, this information alone cannot serve as a diagnosis, and it is important to see a foot doctor who can determine not only the cause of your foot pain, but also prescribe the best possible course of treatment.