Your feet are complex, weight-bearing structures that you rely on every day to stand and walk. Your feet contain bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, soft tissue structures, and blood vessels. Pain is a signifier that something is amiss in your feet.
If your foot pain has begun to interfere with mobility and has lasted for more than a week, it may be due to an injury or condition. It’s best to seek medical attention before it gets worse because only a medical professional can diagnose the underlying cause of foot pain and recommend effective treatments.
Here are some of the most common causes of foot pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
This foot condition is an overuse of the fascia muscle of the foot, characterized by pain in the heel. The pain is most intense when standing and walking. With plantar fasciitis, the fascia, which connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed. Ill-fitting shoes, anatomical issues, too much stress on the feet, and unsupportive footwear usually cause plantar fasciitis. A lot of foot conditions can sprout as a side effect of plantar fasciitis, which is why you should have it checked by a medical professional. Plantar fasciitis can get worse with time so seek treatment quickly for relief.
Osteoarthritis
Foot joints are prone to developing osteoarthritis just like other joints in the body. Osteoarthritis is more common among older individuals and is mainly due to the wearing down of the protective cartilage in the foot joints. However, some people develop osteoarthritis at an earlier age. Symptoms include pain and stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Achilles Tendonitis
One of the most common causes of foot pain is an injury to the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel and is prone to ruptures due to overuse. Overuse injuries of the Achilles tendon can even hasten the development of osteoarthritis. Seek treatment as quickly as possible to reduce symptoms and get long-term relief.
Stress Fractures
Foot fractures are tiny cracks in your foot and ankle bones. They usually develop due to overuse and repetitive force. Jumping and running are two of the most common causes of stress fractures in the foot. However, if not due to intense activity, stress fractures can develop due to weakened bones, such as those caused by osteoporosis. Athletes are especially prone to foot fractures.
Osteoarthritis Diagnosis and Treatment in West Jersey
If you are experiencing pain in your feet, seek treatment quickly so you can reduce or eliminate symptoms and get back on your feet. The board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey (OAWJ) use a two-pronged approach to treating foot pain. First, we use conservative therapies for pain management, and if needed, we use the most advanced minimally-invasive technologies to treat your health issues.
Our goal is to get you back to living the life you love. We will provide you with options for orthopedic treatment so you can choose the treatment plan that you are most comfortable with.
If you have questions, call the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey at (973) 989-0888 or request an appointment now. Our friendly team is happy to serve you in our West Jersey facility!
