Foot Pain Specialist

What causes foot pain?

Your foot is a complex body part with bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that all work together to support body weight and maintain balance during locomotion. 

Any injury, disease, or irregularity in one or more of the components that make up your foot may cause foot pain. Some of the common causes include:

• Heel spurs
• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Bunions or hammertoes
• Flatfoot
• Morton’s neuroma
• Sprain
• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar warts

You may be at greater risk of developing foot pain if you wear shoes that don’t provide proper support. Athletes are also at a greater risk of developing foot pain from sports injuries that involve the foot or ankle. 

When should I seek medical care for foot pain?

The team at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine recommends you schedule a consultation for foot pain if it occurs after an injury or the pain is severe. They also suggest an evaluation for foot pain that doesn’t improve after a week of at-home care. 

You should also seek medical help for your foot pain if the discomfort is from a foot deformity like a bunion or hammertoe. Early intervention of a foot deformity may ease discomfort and delay or prevent the need for surgical intervention. 

What can I expect during a foot pain evaluation?

You can expect a patient-focused exam when you visit Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a foot pain evaluation. The goal of the exam is to find the root cause of your pain so you can get the right treatment to ease your discomfort.

Your provider asks detailed questions about your pain, including when it started, the type and location of your pain, and activities that may worsen your discomfort. They review your medical history and usual activities and examine your foot.

To confirm or rule out a diagnosis to explain your foot pain, your provider runs on-site diagnostic testing, such as an X-ray, an ultrasound, or an MRI. 

How is foot pain treated?

Treatment for your foot pain may depend on the underlying cause. When possible, the team takes a conservative approach and may recommend:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
• Activity modification
• Change in footwear
• Bracing or orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Tenex for plantar fasciitis
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Steroid injections

If conservative measures fail to alleviate your foot pain, the team may recommend surgery. In some cases, surgery may be the primary treatment, such as a complex foot fracture.

Call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online to schedule your foot pain consultation today.