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Is foot pain something to worry about?

Foot pain affects people of all ages, and for good reason. Each of your feet contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and dozens of surrounding tendons and ligaments. These hard and soft tissues support the weight of your body, playing a crucial role in various movements. But they experience daily wear-and-tear.

Most foot pain improves with rest, ice, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. But if your symptoms continue for more than a few days or get worse, visit a podiatrist. After an exam, Dr. Klimek diagnoses the cause of your pain and makes personalized treatment recommendations.

What causes foot pain?

At Kinetic Edge Foot & Ankle, Dr. Klimek treats foot pain caused by:

  • Standing for extended periods
  • Aging
  • Injury and/or trauma
  • Overuse
  • Wearing shoes that don’t fit
  • Bunions
  • Arthritis
  • Sports injuries (for example, sprains and strains)
  • Ingrown nails
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Corns, calluses, and blisters
  • Tendinitis

Sometimes, infections cause foot pain. For example, plantar warts are hard, circular growths that form on the weight-bearing areas of the feet. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

How does a podiatrist diagnose foot pain?

Dr. Klimek reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain is, what it feels like, and whether it’s constant or comes and goes. He examines your ankles, feet, and toes, checking for redness, bruising, and swelling.

Dr. Klimek checks your muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion. Then, he gently presses on the affected area to identify sensitive spots. Some causes of foot pain are easy to see. However, if the cause of your discomfort isn’t obvious, Dr. Klimek orders diagnostic imaging like X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound to look at your bones, joints, and surrounding tissues.

How does a podiatrist treat foot pain?

At Kinetic Edge Foot & Ankle, Dr. Klimek takes a conservative and integrative approach to treating foot pain. He could suggest:

  • Orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to support your feet
  • Soaking your feet
  • Wearing compression socks to promote circulation and reduce swelling
  • Ice and/or heat therapy
  • Wearing shoes that provide room for your feet
  • Wearing a walking boot or a cast if you have a broken bone
  • Stretches and strengthening exercises
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication

If your pain continues or gets worse even after these treatments, you might be a candidate for foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Klimek provides minimally invasive and traditional open foot and ankle surgery.

Call the nearest Kinetic Edge Foot Ankle office today to schedule foot pain treatment, or book your appointment online.