“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck,” you’ve undoubtedly heard before.
However, when it comes to foot problems, this adage isn’t necessarily accurate. Pain in your foot isn’t always a symptom of a problem with your foot; it could be a sign of something else entirely.
Foot discomfort can be caused by a variety of disorders, some of which are mild and others which are more serious. A diagnosis nearly always necessitates medical action.
This article will look at a variety of reasons of foot pain, how to diagnose them, and what ailments orthotics can help with.
Foot Pain Has a Wide Range of Causes
There are a plethora of reasons why you might be experiencing foot pain and discomfort.
For the sake of this article, we’ll concentrate on two categories of causes: primary and secondary.
Chronic foot pain is caused by illnesses and injuries that affect the foot, such as joint, ligament, tendon, and muscle disorders. Ailments that don’t always start in the foot but indirectly impact the nerves and bones are known as secondary causes of foot pain.
The Most Common Causes of Foot Pain
(Flat feet/high arches) Poor arch development
Toenail encrustation
Plantar fasciitis is a type of plantar fasciitis that affect
Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that affects the toes (stone bruise)
Morton’s neuroma is a type of neuroma that affects the brain.
The malformation of Haglund
Spur on the heel
Injuries (i.e. sprain, fracture, tendinitis)
Warts
Toes hammered
Toes with claws
Athlete’s foot is a condition that affects athletes.
Corns
Calluses
Foot Pain’s Secondary Causes
Gout
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition caused by diabetes.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that affects the (PAD)
Obesity
Pregnancy
Fibromyalgia
Nerves pinched
Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a type of lupus that affects the entire body.
Swelling of the foot caused by medication
The list could go on, but these are the most prevalent reasons of foot pain that medical experts diagnose and treat. Foot pain, on the other hand, comes in a variety of flavors and can affect different parts of the foot.
When doctors need to identify anything, it might be difficult because certain illnesses elicit similar, if not identical, types of pain.
The Different Types of Foot Pain
Stabbing
Stinging
Burning
Shooting
Dull
Throbbing
Nerve injury or damage is usually indicated by scorching and shooting pains that feel acute or hot. The bones and muscles of the foot are frequently involved in dull and throbbing pains.
Of fact, because certain illnesses have overlapping symptoms, this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
Foot Pain Locations
Dorsal refers to the top of the foot.
The bottom of the foot is known as the plantar fascia.
Lateral refers to the foot’s side.
The middle of the foot is referred to as the medial.
Despite the fact that several foot disorders elicit pain in the same area, foot pain is essential since some illnesses and accidents are location-specific.
Plantar fasciitis, for example, is a condition in which the plantar fascia is stretched and causes discomfort at the bottom of the foot that spreads to the heel.
Chronic lateral foot pain, on the other hand, is discomfort on the outside of the foot that might be caused by a pinched nerve or arthritis.
Foot Pain and Issues Diagnosis
Depending on the type of pain, location, and overall health, diagnosing foot pain can be very simple or unexpectedly difficult.
To begin with, foot discomfort can be either acute or persistent. For example, abrupt foot pain after a strenuous exercise or sport indicates an injury, and your doctor will most likely examine you for a strain, sprain, or fracture. However, unexpected foot pain that does not coincide with a change in habit or way of life may necessitate further inquiry and testing.
Foot pain that has persisted for a long period would almost certainly necessitate extensive testing to discover the source, especially if you haven’t been in any accidents or injuries.
If you have a pre-existing ailment that causes foot pain, your doctor may simply treat it with drugs, treatment, and orthotic solutions.
Medical Examinations in General
Medical History Exam – Your family doctor will almost certainly inquire about any previous injuries, accidents, or diseases. If your foot pain appears out of nowhere and you can’t figure out what it is, your doctor will prescribe more testing.
They will most likely have you undergo a comprehensive physical examination if your foot discomfort is accompanied by other pain or symptoms such as exhaustion or weight changes.
In cases of acute and chronic foot discomfort of unknown origin, blood tests, urine samples, weight, and blood pressure measures should take precedence.
Blood tests, for example, could be used to look for high levels of inflammatory blood proteins, which could indicate rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (both of which may cause foot pain).
Testing of the Feet
Visual Observation – A bulge or deformed foot joint will be obvious to both you and your doctor. If you report it to them, they will examine it and decide what to do next, which could include a referral to a podiatrist/chiropodist or a physical examination. You will almost certainly be referred for diagnostic imaging if the cause is an injury or accident.
Gait and Posture Analysis – If your doctor has no reason to assume that a secondary condition is causing your pain, they may refer you to a podiatrist. If there are no evident visual flaws, these specialists may do a gait and posture analysis to reveal more subtle biomechanical disorders.
Imaging and testing for diagnostic purposes
X-rays – Abnormal bone shape, joint dislocations, and suspected fractures all require X-ray imaging, particularly following an injury or accident. Of course, your doctor may order X-rays if you have a less visible concern with your bones or joints.
MRIs – If your doctor suspects a soft tissue injury (muscle, ligament, or tendon), an MRI may be ordered to identify injured tissues that an X-ray cannot see. This is true whether you’ve experienced an injury or have a long-term illness.
CT Scan – Your doctor is unlikely to request a CT scan immediately soon, but if they suspect you have a bone anomaly or a foreign item in your foot, they will recommend it.
Ultrasound – If your doctor suspects you have a soft tissue injury or a mass, they may suggest an ultrasound as a less expensive diagnostic option than MRIs or CT scans.
Nerve Conduction Test – Your doctor may believe that another condition is causing pain in your foot based on your medical history. Some of these disorders, such as diabetic neuropathy, may necessitate a nerve conduction test to evaluate nerve function.
Ultimately, the goal of this test is to see if the underlying illness requires more aggressive therapy.
Keep in mind that if the source of your foot discomfort isn’t clear, determining the cause may require a mix of tests and examinations.
Treatments for Lateral Foot Pain and Orthotic Support
For acute and chronic foot discomfort, orthotic assistance may or may not be a treatment. If your foot pain is due to an issue with your feet, orthotic assistance may be able to help. If you’ve developed bad motion habits that may be retrained, this is more likely to be the cause. As a result, your pain may almost vanish.
Orthotics, on the other hand, cannot correct structural or anatomical flaws in the bone; they can only assist you manage the discomfort. If your discomfort is caused by an underlying problem, orthotics can help you manage it.
If you can maintain the underlying problem under control, you may notice a gradual or quick improvement in foot discomfort.
Orthotic support is still an effective treatment for a variety of foot problems. Custom orthotics, in particular, function by shifting pressure on your foot, supporting your pains, and regulating your feet’s alignment and movement. They are custom-made to fit your foot form and structure, correcting any imbalances you may have.
Orthotics can also act as a cushion to relieve strain on joints that are already inflamed (i.e. arthritis). They can also protect against skin that is sluggish to heal, prone to damage, and easily irritated (i.e. diabetes and diabetic neuropathy).
Orthotics Can Help With These Injuries and Conditions
Arthritis
Back ache
Bunions
Bursitis
Diabetes
Feet that are flat
Toes hammered
Spurs on the heels
Arches with high ceilings
Injuries
Plantar fasciitis is a type of plantar fasciitis that affect
Other diseases and traumas that cause acute and persistent foot discomfort may also benefit from orthotics. However, you should avoid store-bought inserts and seek the advice of a podiatrist or chiropodist to evaluate whether or not orthotics are appropriate for you.
Recognize your suffering and take action.
In the event of an injury or an accident, the source of foot discomfort may be obvious.
However, it frequently occurs without warning, and determining the cause can be a difficult task. However, proper diagnostic testing and imaging will assist you in determining the cause.
If your problem is with your foot, orthotics can help you improve your foot function and comfort. Even if you have an underlying problem, orthotic assistance might provide much-needed relief.
The trick with these underlying diseases is to manage them according to your doctor’s treatment plan, of course.
You don’t have to live with foot discomfort; if you’re proactive, you can find treatment in the short and long term.