Our feet are intricately designed to take us places while bearing our weight. However, when we’re putting too much pressure on our feet – especially when we don’t stop to take occasional breaks during an active day – then they can begin to hurt when we walk.
Experiencing foot pain due to overuse of the feet is normal, and the pain subsides relatively quickly. However, foot pain that occurs frequently and that worsens with every step is not typical, and it warrants a medical evaluation by an orthopedic doctor.
Let’s talk about some of the things that can cause foot pain while walking, and where you can go in Dover and West Jersey to receive effective treatment by an outstanding orthopedic physician.
What Can Cause Foot Pain?
Some of the most common reasons why you may experience foot pain while walking include the following:
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, between your toes and your heel. You can experience foot pain, particularly heel pain, while walking when this tissue develops inflammation (plantar fasciitis).
Plantar fasciitis results in stabbing pain in the heel or the bottom portion of your foot. This pain is worst when you take the first step in the morning, and it can become aggravated when you walk or stand for a long period of time.
Metatarsalgia
This condition is characterized by painful inflammation of the ball of your foot. The ball of the foot is the cushiony area between the base of the toes and the arch of the foot.
You may feel sharp aching and burning pain in the ball of your foot, along with numbness and tingling in the toes, if you have metatarsalgia. Most people feel as if there is a pebble in their shoe.
Physically active persons, and athletes who participate in running or jumping, more commonly experience pain in the ball of the foot specifically when they walk, stand, or flex their foot. This can also develop if you wear shoes that are too tight or too loose.
Morton’s Neuroma
This condition makes you feel as if you are stepping on a marble. In fact, the culprit is a band of tissue around your nerves that becomes thick, and thereby places pressure on your foot. The area between the base of your third and fourth toes is most commonly affected by this condition.
Morton’s neuroma results in pain in the ball of the foot which worsens when you walk or stand. This condition also results in burning, stinging, or numbness in the toes.
Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
A bunion is a condition in which a bony bump forms on the outer joint at the base of your big toe. Your big toe begins to tilt inward, toward the other toes, and the base thereby juts awkwardly outward.
Arthritis, foot deformity, or wearing tight and narrow shoes may form bunions. You may notice a burning sensation, numbness, and foot pain which can get worse when wearing shoes.
Heel Pad Atrophy
In this condition the protective pad of the heel shrinks. When you walk, your heel bone strikes the ground – protected only by the skin – resulting in pain and a burning sensation. Wearing heel pads or special orthotics can help relieve foot pain due to heel pad atrophy.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is an abnormal bone growth at the base of your heel. This results in heel pain that usually affects you while walking, jogging, running, or other types of activities. You may also notice swelling and redness in the heel.
Foot Pain Doctor in Dover, NJ
Here at the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, our board-certified orthopedic physicians have the expertise, dedication, and extensive experience necessary to provide a diagnosis and treatment for all causes of your foot pain. Our orthopedists are committed to providing you with an accurate evaluation of your foot problem and developing a tailor-made treatment plan that works.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with one of our outstanding foot doctors, call us today at (973) 989-0888 or use our convenient online request form now. We look forward to serving you!
