Common Causes Of Foot Pain
After a long day on your feet, it is not uncommon to experience foot pain. But if you have chronic foot pain, you may have a condition that needs to be professionally treated by a podiatrist. Some common causes of chronic foot pain include:
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is a thick band of tissue that connects the calf muscle to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which can be very painful. The beginning stages of Achilles tendinitis can start out as a dull pain along the back of the lower leg; as the inflammation becomes more severe the pain will increase. If the condition is caught early, your doctor will be able to guide you in treating the condition at home. In the event that the tendinitis is not properly treated, it is possible for the Achilles tendon to rupture, which requires surgical repair.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails is a common condition where the edge of the toenail begins growing into the soft flesh surrounding the nail. This can be very painful, and if the ingrown toenail is not promptly treated it can become infected. It is a good idea to see a doctor when you have an ingrown toenail-- your doctor will be able to advise you on how to treat it in order to avoid an infection. If you have a severely infected ingrown toenail, your doctor may perform a minor procedure where he or she lifts the nail and places a small temporary splint under it to help ensure that the nail grows above the edge of the skin.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, becomes irritated and inflamed. This condition can cause moderate to severe heel pain, which is often most noticeable in the morning when taking your first steps of the day. A mild case of plantar fasciitis will usually resolve itself if the foot is properly rested and stretches are done. More severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require orthotics for your shoes, steroid injections, and in some cases surgery.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a painful condition that causes an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. This condition can be a result of wearing the wrong shoes, trauma to the foot, the structure of your foot, or certain diseases. A minor case of hammertoe can be resolved by wearing orthotics and changing the type of shoes that you wear. Very severe cases of hammertoe typically need to be treated through surgery.