Foot Pain

Do I need to see a doctor if my feet hurt?

If you’ve been on your feet all day or you’ve been doing physical exercise that you’re not used to, your feet could well feel sore. Wearing poorly fitting shoes or footwear that’s unsuitable for the kind of surface you’re walking on also causes sore feet; but rest and a massage usually resolve the soreness.

If your feet are painful rather than just sore, there could be an underlying cause that needs treating. It’s important to visit a specialist clinic like San Juan Foot and Ankle Center in Montrose and Delta, Colorado, to find the cause of the pain before it gets any worse.

Why is my heel hurting?

If your heel is hurting, it could be due to:

• Plantar fasciitis: inflammation of the connective tissue that runs under the heel and supports the foot’s arch
• Heel spurs: bony growths on the bottom of the heel
• Stone bruises: deep bruising of the heel’s soft tissues
• Heel fractures: breaks in the heel bones

Before you visit the foot and ankle specialist, make a note of any trauma or accidents you’ve had that could have caused your heel pain.

Why is the ball of my foot hurting?

Pain in the ball of your foot may be caused by:

• Metatarsalgia: pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot
• Morton’s neuroma: thickened tissues surrounding the nerves of the toes, typically between the bases of the third and fourth toe
• Sesamoiditis: inflammation of the tendons surrounding the sesamoid bones near the big toe

Pain in the ball of the foot is frequently due to repeatedly wearing poorly fitting shoes or high heels or may be due to overly strenuous exercise.

Why is my toe hurting?

Toe pain could be due to:

• Gout: a form of arthritis in which crystals form in the toe joints
• Bunions: bony lumps at the base of the big toe
• Hammertoe: bending of the second, third, or fourth toe from the middle joint
• Claw toe: a toe that points up or down and can’t straighten out
• Ingrown toenails: most often on the big toe, where the nail grows into the skin instead of over it
• Toe sprain: overstretching or rupture of the ligaments holding the toe bones together
• Fracture: a break in one or more of the bones in the toes
• Corns and calluses: thickened skin that forms on pressure points

You can help prevent many toe problems by looking after your feet and wearing well-fitting, supportive footwear.

What if my whole foot is painful?

Other foot pain causes include:

• Fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone on the foot’s outer edge
• Neuropathy, a form of nerve damage frequently experienced by diabetics
• Tendinitis, inflammation of tendons in the foot or ankle

With so many potential conditions causing foot pain, it’s clear why a professional diagnosis is so important. To get the expert care and attention you need to resolve your foot pain, contact San Juan Foot and Ankle Center and make an appointment to speak with Dr. Cook. Call the center or book online today.