Foot pain that turns chronic can affect your quality of life. It is described as a pain that comes and goes or persists for weeks, months, or even years. Foot pain may be dull, sharp, stabbing, or shooting and is often felt in the heel of the foot or at the base of the toes.
When it comes to chronic foot pain, a foot doctor or a podiatrist can help diagnose the condition and treat it, so that you get relief. Here are a few common foot problems that cause chronic pain.
Arthritis
The most common cause of chronic foot pain is arthritis, which is caused by a degeneration of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones in joints, so that they do not rub against each other. It’s a disease that usually affects older people, however, young people can also develop this condition.
Symptoms of arthritis of the foot include pain, stiffness, and swelling in different parts of the foot. Medical treatment for foot arthritis, commonly occurring with the ankle, is usually a combination of activity modifications, customized orthotics, pain-relieving medication, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. If the condition does not improve, the doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery to replace the problematic or damaged parts of the foot or ankle joints affected by the condition.
Another type of arthritis that’s caused by the immune system attacking joint cartilage is rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually involves anti-inflammatory medications (to control the body’s immunological response) and physical therapy.
Peripheral Neuropathy
A condition that usually affects patients with diabetes is called peripheral neuropathy, which refers to nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy usually starts in the feet and causes symptoms such as severe burning pain, tingling, and numbness. There is a real danger with peripheral neuropathy, since nerve damage can lead to loss of sensation in the feet. Being unable to feel if there is a break in the skin can increase the chances of you ignoring wounds, which can lead to infection. In serious cases, this may lead to amputation.
Treatment of peripheral neuropathy involves proper blood sugar regulation, medication to control blood sugar, exercise and weight loss, wearing the right shoes, and checking your feet daily. Rehabilitation programs also help with pain management.
Sciatica
Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower back, through the buttocks, and down to your feet. The symptoms are pain, numbness, and tingling that begins from your buttocks and travels down to your leg or foot. Sciatica pain can become chronic and may last for months.
The pain may come and go or be persistent. It is described as a throbbing or electric, shock-like pain. You may also feel weakness in the leg and foot, which can cause a foot drop, which refers to a difficulty in lifting the foot when walking.
Sciatica can be treated with conservative treatment methods, such as corticosteroid injections, nerve blocks, massage therapy, and chiropractic therapy before surgery is recommended.
Chronic Foot Pain Treatment in South Texas
If you are suffering from chronic foot pain, the podiatrists at The Podiatry Group of South Texas are happy to provide treatment for your condition. Offering the most advanced level of podiatric care in all of South Texas, you can trust that we will get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
To schedule a consultation, call The Podiatry Group of South Texas clinic nearest you or send an appointment request now.
