Foot Pain

What causes foot pain?

Because your feet support your body weight and are constantly under pressure, they’re susceptible to cause painful foot conditions. Common causes of acute foot pain are overuse injuries, while chronic foot pain often results from conditions like:

• Bunions
• Arthritis
• infection
• Fractures
• Bone spurs
• Plantar fasciitis
• Joint inflammation
• Diabetic nerve damage

You may also be at increased risk for chronic foot pain if you’re overweight or have certain underlying medical conditions.

When should I seek medical attention for foot pain?

When persistent foot pain interferes with your personal life or ability to work, you should seek an accurate diagnosis from Dr. Hunter to prevent additional medical complications. You should also schedule a visit for a comprehensive exam if you can’t walk or put any weight on your foot, or if you experience symptoms like:

• Fever
• Open wounds
• Uncontrolled swelling

Additionally, if you have an underlying medical condition, like diabetes, you shouldn’t delay treatment for foot pain.

How is foot pain diagnosed?

Dr. Hunter discusses your symptoms and the activities you were doing when the pain began to pinpoint its potential cause. He also performs a comprehensive physical exam, feeling for areas of warmth, tenderness, or pain in different areas of your foot and ankle.

If you have existing health conditions, Dr. Hunter may request additional testing, such as blood work for diabetics, to determine if underlying medical issues are causing your pain.

In many cases, Dr. Hunter can confirm a diagnosis based on your medical history and current symptoms. He then develops a customized treatment plan to alleviate pain and improve your mobility.

What treatment options are available for foot pain?

Treatment for acute pain resulting from injury may include plenty of rest and over-the-counter or prescription medications to ease the pain. Dr. Hunter also offers injections of corticosteroids for quick relief of inflammation.

In many cases, physical therapy exercises can help strengthen muscles in your feet and ankle for better support. Dr. Hunter may also suggest heat and ice therapy after any activities, as well as the use of orthotic inserts in your footwear to prevent additional injuries.

Dr. Hunter may recommend surgery to repair serious breaks or as a last resort when other therapies aren’t effective.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunter to learn more about treating acute and chronic foot pain using the online booking tool or by calling his Plano office directly today.