Chronic or recurring foot pain can diminish your quality of life. At Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic, expert podiatrists Adam Matthews, DPM, and Karson Howard, DPM, provide conservative care and surgical treatment for foot pain. From custom-made orthotics to shockwave therapy, Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic can relieve your foot pain and restore function at their locations in Pocatello, Soda Springs, Idaho Falls, and Montpelier, Idaho, and in Thayne and Jackson, Wyoming. Call or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
request an appointmentWhat causes foot pain?
The feet provide support and mobility for your entire body. As a result, they’re particularly vulnerable to injury and wear-and-tear. Many conditions can cause foot pain, but the most common are:
Plantar fasciitis
The thick band of tissue that connects your heel and toes is the plantar fascia. When this tissue endures stress from too much pressure or overuse, it can cause persistent arch or heel pain.
Bunions
Bunions are lumps of bone that develop at the base of the big toe. As a bunion grows, it pushes your big toe toward your other four toes, altering the structure of your feet.
Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetes can cause neuropathy, or nerve damage, that affects the feet. Many individuals with diabetes experience peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling, weakness, and shooting pain in the feet.
Flat feet
Flat foot is a condition that occurs when the arches fall. If you have flat feet, your arches sit flush with the ground when you stand. Flat feet can lead to arch and heel pain, as well as ankle instability, knee, and lower back pain.
High arches
High arches sit further off the ground than they should. Without supportive arches, overpronation can cause your feet to roll inward when you walk. This deformity can lead to heel pain as well as ankle instability.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes persistent joint inflammation. You can develop arthritis in any of your foot and ankle joints, but the big toe is one of the most common areas.
Stress fractures
A stress fracture is a bone break that occurs when the feet endure repetitive pressure. Even after a stress fracture heals, many individuals continue to experience frequent foot pain.
What are the treatments for foot pain?
Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic offers multiple conservative and surgical treatments for foot pain, including:
Steroid injection
A steroid injection directly into your area of pain can help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the foot.
Orthotics
Orthotics are custom-made inserts for your shoes. These devices mold to the exact shape of your feet to correct imbalances. Custom-made orthotics cushion and support your feet to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Shockwave therapy
Shockwave therapy is an innovative treatment that delivers shockwaves into your area of pain. Your tissues absorb these shockwaves without damaging the skin’s surface layer. Shockwave therapy triggers your body’s natural healing response to repair hard and soft tissue damage.
Surgery
If conservative treatments aren’t enough to relieve your foot pain, the podiatrists at Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic may recommend surgical intervention.
How can I relieve foot pain at home?
You can help treat and prevent foot pain at home by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Stretching before and after exercise
- Taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers
- Practicing the RICE regimen (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
To learn more about foot pain, call Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic, or schedule an appointment online today.