Foot pain is one of the most common problems people experience. There are many different causes of foot pain. Foot pain treatments include rest, pain relievers, stretching exercises, and change in habits or footwear. Surgery may be helpful for some people with foot pain.
Nearly all causes of foot pain can be grouped under one of the following:
Ill-fitting shoes. Poorly fitting shoes are a frequent cause of foot pain. High-heeled shoes concentrate pressure on the toes and can aggravate, if not cause, problems with the toes.
Certain medical conditions. Any medical condition that causes a disturbance in the way a person walks can contribute to foot pain. This may include diseases or conditions that lead to pain or numbness in the feet (such as diabetes), leg and foot deformities, spinal problems, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or cerebral palsy.
High-impact exercise. High-impact exercising, such as jogging or strenuous aerobics, can injure the feet and other parts of the leg. Common injuries include corns, calluses, blisters, muscle cramps, acute knee and ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia.
Arthritic Conditions. Arthritic conditions, particularly osteoarthritis and gout, can cause foot pain. Although rheumatoid arthritis almost always develops in the hand, the ball of the foot can also be affected.
Diabetes. Diabetes is an important cause of serious foot disorders.
Obesity. Obesity can cause foot and ankle pain.
Pregnancy. Pregnancy can cause fluid buildup and swollen feet. The increased weight and imbalance of pregnancy contributes to foot stress.
Medications. Some medications, such as calcitonin and drugs used for high blood pressure, can cause foot swelling.
When you first begin to notice discomfort or pain in the area, you can treat yourself with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Over-the-counter medications may also be used to reduce discomfort and pain.
Rest will allow the tissues to heal by preventing any further stress to the affected area. Crutches should be used if you have difficulty putting weight on the foot. Appropriate use of commercially available ankle and foot supports may provide rest, comfort, and support to the affected area.
Ice should be applied no longer than 20 minutes. The ice may be put in a plastic bag or wrapped in a towel. Commercial ice packs are not recommended because they are usually too cold. If extreme discomfort occurs, icing should discontinue immediately.
Compression and elevation will help prevent any swelling of the affected tissues.
There are two types of over-the-counter medications that may help with the pain and swelling of foot pain. Acetaminophen will help reduce the pain, while a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help lessen the pain and as well as reduce the inflammatory response. Caution should be taken when using these drugs as dosage should not exceed the labeled directions.
A popular home remedy for relief of plantar fasciitis is rolling a golf ball on the ground with the bottom of the foot.
Blisters occur as a result of chaffing. These "hot spots" should be attended to immediately with padding or friction reducers. If these spots progress to a blister and are unbroken, the doctor can drain them by puncturing from the side with a clean needle, and drained, the skin will act as a natural bandage and should not be trimmed away. If the skin over the blister is broken, the loose skin should be peeled back and the area should be treated as an open wound. Blisters should be covered and padded before returning to activity; in simple cases, a Band-Aid may solve the problem. If the blister is bigger, donut pads, gel pads, or commercially available blister pads may be more appropriate.
Once the severity and cause of foot pain is determined, a course of corrective and rehabilitative actions can be started.
Qualified medical personnel may use electrical medical devices such as ultrasound, various forms of electrical stimulation, LED light therapy (laser), and/or manual therapies to reduce pain and increase circulation to the area to promote healing.
Maintenance of fitness levels via modification of activity may be prescribed.
Substitute activities that aggravate the pain and soreness. Running causes the body to have repetitive impact with the ground. The use of bicycling, elliptical trainers, step machines, swimming, or ski machines minimize impact and allow you to maintain and improve your fitness.
New shoes or the replacement of current shoe insoles
Proper footwear fitting, including lacing and sock combinations to eliminate compression and friction issues
Additional supports added to the shoes such as heel pads or cushions, arch supports, and various wedges to help maintain the foot in a proper position
Athletic shoes lose the elastic properties of the soles through usage and age. A good rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every six months or more often if there is heavier usage. The use of replacement insoles can increase energy absorption and add support to the foot.
Corrective and over-the-counter orthotics may also improve the biomechanics of the foot.
You may be given exercises to increase the strength and stability of the affected area and to correct muscles that may not be balanced.
Exercises to increase flexibility will maintain or improve the length of a muscle. Flexibility helps to make a stronger muscle and less likely to be injured.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Your body will create various changes in movement when you have an injury. A therapist can evaluate these changes and help you make the appropriate corrections. Prolonged, uncorrected biomechanical changes may lead to secondary mechanical changes that are painful and difficult to correct.
Follow up with your doctor until you are better.