Almost everyone experiences foot pain at some point. Barring traumatic injury, the most common causes of foot pain are bunions, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, and athlete’s foot. A bunion is a bony protrusion at the base of the big toe, often caused by genetics and made worse from arthritis. Improper footwear can aggravate a bunion, which then may cause hammertoes, calluses, and metatarsal pain. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. While painful, it can be alleviated to a degree by wearing shoes with more cushioning and by doing certain exercises. Ingrown toenails can be quite painful, but they may be prevented by keeping toenails properly cut and wearing shoes with more room in the toe box. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that enters the foot through a tiny crack or sore. It causes itching, scaling and painful splitting of the skin between the toes. Highly contagious, athlete’s foot is often spread in moist, warm areas, including shower rooms and swimming pools. If you have any of these conditions, it is a good idea to check in with a podiatrist for a full examination, diagnosis, and options for treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Mark Spier from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Reisterstown, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.