Don’t be on your back foot.
Foot pain is an inconvenience. You can’t stand or walk. You have to keep your feet up, massaging your aching muscles and tendons.
Many people assume they have a mere sprain. Most foot pain does come from overstressed muscles. But foot pain can also indicate a more severe problem.
You need to diagnose the true cause of your pain. Here are five tips.
- Notice Where the Pain Comes From
Your foot is full of muscles, nerves, and tendons. Each part of your foot, from your toe to your heel, is distinct. Pain from each part could indicate any number of common foot problems.
Pain in your heel could indicate plantar fasciitis. Fasciitis occurs when the tissue connecting your heel to your toes gets inflamed. Pain in your heel could also indicate heel spurs, which is when bone grows on the bottom of your heel.
Pain in the ball of your foot could indicate metatarsalgia. That’s inflammation of the ball of your foot. Sesamoiditis is inflammation of the tendons around your big toe.
Pain in your arch could also indicate plantar fasciitis. Pain in your toes could come from gout or bunions.
- Notice How Bad the Pain Is
If your pain feels like you’re walking on a pebble, you may have a stone bruise. A stone bruise is a bruise deep in the heel or ball of your foot. It will go away with time.
If you feel odd sensations or numbness over the ball of your foot, you may have Morton’s neuroma. You will need shoe inserts to reduce pressure on your nerves. Visit sites like https://www.themedical.co.uk/services/podiatry/foot-orthotics to find shoe inserts that work for you.
If your pain is severe, you may have gout or a bone fracture. If you ever have severe, debilitating pain, call a doctor immediately.
- Think About Any Other Symptoms
Foot pain may be a sign of a bigger problem. If you have tingling hands, muscle twitching, or weakness, you may have peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage from diabetes.
If you have swelling, fever, and a headache, you may have osteomyelitis. This is an infection of the bones, caused by bacteria or fungi. Contact a doctor immediately if you think you have an infection.
- Think About What Helps Your Foot Pain
Exercise and improper stretching cause most strains and fractures. If you rest your feet and the pain diminishes, you may just have a strain. Avoid activities that can worsen your pain, and put ice on your feet for fifteen minutes a few times every day.
If you can sleep but then wake up in pain, you may have plantar fasciitis. Severe pain that does not alleviate is usually a sign of serious foot problems.
- Consider Recent Events
If you have been in a car accident, you may have broken your foot. The outer edge of the foot can be broken very easily.
If you started noticing your injury while running, you may have metatarsalgia or a stone bruise. If you started noticing your injury after wearing tight shoes, you may have Norton’s neuroma. If you had a cut on your foot that turned into pain, you may have an infection.
Get Help When You Need It
Get off on the right foot. When you have foot pain, you can determine what your foot problems are.
Notice where your pain comes from and how bad your pain is. Think about any other pains or problems you may have. Think about what helps your pain, and consider if any recent events may have caused your pain.
Get help whenever you need it. Follow our coverage for more health information.
