Most people think foot pain is normal after a long day of productivity at work or school. Some cases only need over-the-counter medication to relieve pain. However, chronic foot pain may indicate a health concern needing medical attention. Keep reading to find out the top 5 most common causes of chronic foot pain.
1. Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are a frequent cause of chronic foot pain. They are caused by a toenail growing in a way that pushes into your toe’s soft flesh. You can take care of most ingrown toenails on your own, but more complicated cases may need the attention of a foot specialist. An ingrown toenail can make putting any type of pressure on it extremely painful. Many cases cause pain even while sedentary.
Foot doctors, or podiatrists, help with this condition by removing the part of the toenail pushing into your toe. This procedure makes room for the proper growth of the nail above the surface.
2. Bunions
Bunions occur when some of the bones in your foot misalign, causing the bones at the base of the big toe to stick out to the side. The skin over the bunion may feel turn red and be sore. Bunions are typically the result of wearing tight and narrow-fitting shoes. It can also develop because of your foot shape or medical conditions like arthritis.
Bunions typically receive conservative treatment, such as changing to a pair of well-fitting shoes, orthotics, or pain relief. Well-fitting shoes and orthotics help ensure that your feet have correct support, handling the problem at its source. Surgery is also an option if conservative treatments fail. Bunion surgery is typically removing the swollen tissue around the bone or realigning the bone itself.
3. Heel Pain
Heel pain is also a consequence of being up and working all day. Overexertion of your feet may cause heel pain, and all you might need is proper rest. However, medical conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis may also be a reason for chronic foot pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
This is one of the most common causes of heel pain and is the result of inflammation of the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes, the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis usually causes stabbing pain in the localized area of the foot, especially in the morning.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition in runners. However, you can also develop it due to being overweight or wearing shoes with insufficient support.
Prescription medications and splints are the usual treatments for plantar fasciitis. If these conservative treatments don’t work, your podiatrist may recommend surgery.
Heel Spurs
Plantar fasciitis can also cause the growth of heel spurs. Heel spurs are bony growths found on the front of the heel bone and point toward the foot arch. Heel spurs themselves don’t hurt. However, the spurs can create microscopic tears in the surrounding tissues, which is what causes pain.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is caused by a strain or rupture in the Achilles tendon. This condition commonly affects runners, especially those who do high-intensity or long-distance runs.
Your podiatrist may recommend at-home remedies or OTC painkillers to help prevent or relieve persistent and recurring pain. More severe cases may require surgery.
4. Trauma And Fractures
Chronic foot pain may also be the result of physical trauma and fractures due to accidents. These injuries could either be a broken foot or a broken toe caused by a nasty fall or a misstep on the stairs. Old injuries can also still be painful even after they’ve healed, such as when a fracture isn’t set correctly and doesn’t heal in the correct position.
Like any other bone injury, it’s best to get treatment from an orthopedic specialist. You’ll typically undergo casting or splinting to immobilize the affected limb and ensure that it’s properly aligned as it heals. Complex injuries may require surgery, ideally to prevent them from becoming a problem later on.
5. Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetes can cause chronic foot pain due to diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage occurring in diabetic patients. High blood glucose can cause the degeneration of nerves and usually targets the nerves of your legs and feet.
The pain caused by diabetic neuropathy can vary from numbness to debilitating pain in the legs and feet. You can manage diabetic neuropathy with lifestyle modifications and proper management of blood sugar.
Podiatric Care in South Texas
Chronic foot pain has various causes, but some of them may be more serious than you might think. It’s best to consult a doctor to ensure that your foot pain isn’t too concerning.
If you’re looking for the finest podiatric care clinic, look no further than The Podiatry Group of South Texas. Our team of highly-educated healthcare professionals are experts in providing comprehensive care for all types of foot problems.
If you want to learn more about our services, you can contact us at (210) 227-8700. To book a consultation, you may fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
