Examining the Most Common Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain can range from a mild annoyance to severe, debilitating pain that interferes with your everyday activities. If you experience foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. Conditions that cause foot pain can get progressively worse, so seeing a foot specialist in Houston in the early stages of your symptoms could prevent them from intensifying. Many different conditions can cause foot pain. Here is a closer look at some of the most common causes diagnosed by foot doctors.

Arthritis

Many different types of arthritis, from gout to rheumatoid arthritis, can cause foot pain. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of the disease, occurs when wear and tear damages the joints. Because the feet carry all of your weight, they are extremely vulnerable to this kind of arthritis. Your foot doctor will determine which type of arthritis is affecting your feet by considering your symptoms, using diagnostic imaging tests, and ordering blood work. Once the cause is diagnosed, your foot specialist can begin the appropriate treatment.

Bunions

A bunion is a lump that grows at the joint at the bottom of your big toe. Over time, the bunion can cause your big toe to bend against the neighboring toe, and as it grows bigger, it can become tender and red. When left untreated, bunions can become quite painful and make it difficult to find shoes that fit over the protrusion. In early stages, conservative treatment, including medications and shoe inserts, can alleviate bunion pain. When this doesn’t work, bunion surgery may be necessary.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes can lead to damage to the nerve fibers, particularly in the extremities. Although neuropathy can happen to anyone with diabetes, it is much more common in people with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. Neuropathy can lead to disabling pain and numbness in the feet. Because of the numbness, people with neuropathy can injure their feet without realizing it, which can allow a dangerous infection to occur that could lead to amputation. People with diabetes should examine their feet daily and see a foot doctor regularly.