Severe Foot Pain and How to Treat It

Do you have foot pain so severe that it makes it unbearable for you to walk around? Have you tried a bunch of different remedies that just don’t seem to work?

The key to solving your foot pain is first getting the right diagnosis. Here’s a look at some of the common causes of foot pain and how to treat them. However, before you try out any of these treatments by yourself, you should consult with your podiatrist.

Common Causes of Severe Foot Pain

Your feet carry you around every day, bearing your weight when you’re standing and helping you get to where you need to go. You might not think about your feet too often, that is until they start to hurt. Foot pain is a common problem among people of all ages.

A list of some of the possible causes of foot pain include:

• Achilles tendinitis: is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon (the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of your lower leg to your heel bone).
• Bunions: a bony bump that forms at the base of your big toe.
• Bursitis: affects the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints.
• Corns and calluses: thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure.
• Diabetic neuropathy: a type of nerve damage that is the result of diabetes.
• Flatfeet: the entire soles of your feet touch the floor when you stand.
• Gout: sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints. Often at the base of the big toe.
• Hammertoe and mallet toe: deformities in the imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight.
• Ingrown toenails: when the corner or side of the toenail grows into the soft flesh.
• Metatarsalgia: when the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed.
• Plantar fasciitis: pain and inflammation in the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

Treating Severe Foot Pain

Treatments for severe foot pain problems include:

• Achilles tendinitis: usually responds well to self-care measures, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation; but if your symptoms are severe then your doctor might suggest other treatment options, like pain medications (ibuprofen or naproxen), physical therapy, or surgery.
• Bunions: some nonsurgical options include changing shoes, padding or taping your foot, medications, shoe inserts, and applying ice. Surgical options include removing swollen tissue, removing part of the bone to straighten your big toe, realigning the long bone between the back of your foot and your big toe, and permanently joining the bones of your affected joint.
• Bursitis: treatment usually involves rest, ice, and pain relievers. However, if the bursitis is more severe, treatment might include medication, therapy, injections, an assistive device, or surgery.
• Corns and calluses: treatment options can include trimming away excess skin, callus-removing medication, shoe inserts, or surgery.
• Diabetic neuropathy: treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease, relieving pain, and managing complications and restoring function. To help slow the nerve damage you will need to keep your blood pressure under control, follow a healthy-eating plan, get plenty of exercise, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, and avoid alcohol.
• Flatfeet: if your flat feet are painful then your doctor might suggest arch supports, stretching exercises, supportive shoes, or physical therapy.
• Gout: medications that can treat gout and prevent future attacks include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, colchicine, and/or corticosteroids.
• Hammertoe and mallet toe: wearing proper footwear (allows adequate space for your toes) will help relieve pressure and pain.
• Ingrown toenails: your doctor may recommend lifting the nail, partially removing the nail, or removing the nail and tissue.
• Metatarsalgia: conservative measures (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) usually relieve the pain. In rare cases, you may have to undergo surgery to realign the metatarsal bones.
• Plantar fasciitis: you may be required to take certain medications (ibuprofen or naproxen) and undergo types of therapy (physical therapy, night splints, or orthotics). In some cases, you may have to undergo steroid shots, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or surgery.

Consult with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie

It is important to consult with your podiatrist to make sure that you get a proper diagnosis for your foot pain. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie so that they can help you get rid of your severe foot pain for good.