When a patient suffers from foot pain, they often call into the podiatrist hoping to get relief. One of the first questions the team is going to ask is what kind of pain is the patient experiencing. There are any number of ways that a foot can sustain damage, sustain an injury or have a medical condition that results in a considerable amount of pain.
When the patient is experiencing foot pain, the only thing they want is pain relief. Here are some common types of conditions to explain why people experience foot pain.
A stone bruise
A patient may experience a stone bruise, which is a deep bruise that occurs on the fat pad of the heel or the ball of the foot. Typically this kind of bruise is due to impact, but can also happen by stepping on a hard object. Walking down a cobblestone path without wearing shoes can also result in a stone bruise.
Plantar fasciitis
One of the more common reasons why patients experience pain in their heel is because of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an irritation or an inflammation of the tissue that connects the bone of the heel of the foot to the toes. One of the ways to identify this condition is if the pain is more severe in the morning. Patients tend to experience discomfort in the heel and in the arch of the foot, especially when waking up.
Metatarsalgia
Often confused with a stone bruise, metatarsalgia is an inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot. Typically, this condition is caused by ill fitting shoes, but can also occur because of strenuous activities such as excessive running or jumping.
Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis is a type of tendonitis which occurs in the tendons connecting the two big bones around the big toe. These tendons are known as sesamoids. When these tendons become inflamed or injured, it is known as sesamoiditis. Since it is a form of tendonitis, it is typically due to overexertion and is extremely common with people who run or dance.
Flat feet
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, is a condition where a person has arches that are extremely low, leading to foot pain and other symptoms. This is an extremely common condition, and luckily can be treated relatively easily. In some situations, surgical intervention may be required.
Gout
This is a condition typically found among older patients. It is a form of arthritis that can lead to a great deal of discomfort and pain in the toes. Gout is caused by crystals collecting in the joints which lead to severe swelling and a significant amount of pain. Often times, gout affects the big toe.
Regardless of the type of foot pain being experienced by the patient, it is always a good idea to put in a phone call to a podiatrist and get the foot examined. Conditions of the bones, tendons and foot muscles are not going to get better on their own which is why it is highly recommended to seek treatment immediately by visiting our clinic.