Foot pain is an overuse injury that can plague anyone regardless of age. It is a common occurrence among people who engage in activities that involve repetitive movement and those who wear poorly fitting shoes. If running is part of your fitness routine, you may be highly susceptible to foot pain.
Learning about why your feet may hurt after running will help you get a good understanding of how it can be prevented and treated.
Let’s discuss the common causes of foot pain after running and where to get treatment for it in the Dover area in New Jersey.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis occurs when you overuse your Achilles tendon, the tissue that links your heel bone to your calf muscles.
Achilles tendonitis causes pain right above your heel after running. You may also experience tenderness and stiffness, which are usually most noticeable in the morning.
Bunion
A bunion is a bump that develops on the side of your big toe. While a bunion appears like a bony bump, it’s actually the joint of your big toe jutting outward. A bunion occurs when the bones in the front part of your foot get out of place, causing the joint to protrude.
Wearing ill-fitting shoes for prolonged periods can increase your risk of developing bunions. Arthritis and genes are also risk factors for bunions.
Bunions are characterized by a bulging bump, pain that comes and goes, redness and swelling on the skin, and limited movement on your big toe.
Foot Sprains
Your feet have short bands of connective tissue known as ligaments. A sprain occurs when you overstretch or tear any of these ligaments.
When you have a sprained foot, you will likely experience severe, abrupt pain; swelling; tenderness; a loose feeling in your joint; and difficulty bearing weight.
Foot Strains
Foot strains occur when you overstretch, overuse, or tear your foot tendons or muscles. They can happen either gradually or suddenly.
When you have a foot strain, you will likely have pain, limited mobility, muscle weakness, and swelling and bruising on your foot.
Plantar Fasciitis
Pain in your heel could mean you have plantar fasciitis, a common injury among runners and those who wear shoes with inadequate support.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs when you have inflammation in the plantar fascia – the tissue that runs from your toes to your heel bone.
Plantar fasciitis causes a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot that typically gets worse when you wake up or when you stand for prolonged periods.
Stress Fracture
Stress fractures are tiny cracks that usually develop in the weight-bearing bones of your lower leg and foot. They are caused by a sudden increase in the intensity of an activity and/or repetitive force, such as when you run long distances or jump repeatedly. Anyone can sustain a stress fracture, but it is most common among track-and-field athletes and military recruits who carry heavy packs over long distances.
When you sustain a stress fracture, you may notice slight pain that gets worse over time, a tenderness that can subside during rest, and swelling around the area.
Finding a Reliable Orthopedist for Your Foot Pain in Dover, NJ
Don’t let foot pain put you on the sidelines. Schedule a consultation with any of our board-certified, highly skilled orthopedists at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey. We offer conservative and surgical treatment for a full spectrum of orthopedic conditions and sports- or work-related injuries.
At Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, we do our best to exhaust all conservative treatment regimens before recommending surgery. If these nonoperative options fail to provide you with satisfactory relief, we have the surgical expertise to deliver high-quality outcomes. We will thoroughly review and take the time to explain your test results using diagnostic imaging, anatomic models, and online literature to educate you about your condition.
Book an appointment with any of our orthopedists at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey by calling (973) 989-0888 or using our online appointment request form.
