Wondering why your foot hurts? Your Abingdon and Bel Air, MD, podiatrist, Dr. Michael Block, can determine the cause of your foot pain and offer treatments that will relieve your symptoms.
Common foot pain causes
Foot pain can happen for many reasons, including:
- Aging: As you get older, you're arches become a little flatter due to the effects of gravity. At the same time, weakening ligaments and tendons in your arch also occur, which can cause foot pain. Pain may also be related to the thinning of the fat pads under your feet.
- Injuries: A fracture, sprain, or strain could be the reason that your foot hurts. Call your Abingdon and Bel Air, MD, foot doctor right away if you have severe foot pain, can't put any weight on your foot, or notice that your foot looks deformed.
- Bunions: A bunion, a bony bump at the base of your big toe, can be quite painful and may make walking difficult. Bunions can be caused by inherited foot imbalances, wearing tight shoes or high heels, obesity, arthritis, or flat foot.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis causes pain at the bottom of the heel. The condition occurs when the band of connective tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed. Pain is usually worse when you take your first steps in the morning or when you stand or walk after being inactive for a while.
- Hammertoe: If you have a hammertoe, your toe bends at a right angle and looks a little like a hammer if you view it from the side. If your toe rubs against the top of your shoe, you may develop painful corns and calluses. Hammertoes are initially flexible but become permanently bent if you don't receive treatment.
- Arthritis: Arthritis, whether it's osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the joints in your feet, causing pain and stiffness.
- Ingrown Toenail: Ingrown toenails can be quite painful and may become infected if the trapped nail isn't freed.
- Diabetic Ulcers: You may be more likely to develop painful ulcers that heal very slowly and can become infected if you have diabetes. Even seemingly minor wounds, like a scratch on your foot or a burst blister, can become infected when you have the disease.
How your foot doctor can help
Your podiatrist can offer a variety of treatments depending on the cause of your pain, including casts, walking boots, braces orthotics, pain medication, physical therapy, night splints, or surgery. Laser therapy now offered by Dr. Block can treat many painful conditions, including plantar fasciitis, sprains, strains, and arthritis.
Do you struggle with foot pain? Call (410) 569-0445 to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist in Abingdon and Bel Air, MD, Dr. Block.