Foot pain is any type of pain that occurs in the foot or the feet.

What causes foot pain?

Foot pain can be caused by many different things. Sometimes foot pain is caused by an accident or injury like falling or tripping over something. Sprained ankles are a very common type of foot injury that results in pain. Sometimes a sprain can be so painful that you will think you’ve broken a bone. A sprain is a lot less serious than a broken bone, however. Sometimes your feet can hurt for no apparent reason. If you’re feet are hurting and you don’t know why, it could be because you are wearing uncomfortable or poorly fitting shoes. It could also be because you’ve been on your feet for a long period of time. Some diseases like diabetes and gout can result in foot pain. An ingrown toenail can also cause a great amount of pain in the foot if it becomes infected.

How can I treat my foot pain?

Unless foot pain is severe or you suspect you’ve broken a bone, you can treat your foot pain at home. Many over the counter medications will work well for treating foot pain. Things you probably have on hand like aspirin and Tylenol work great to treat minor foot pain. If your feet are aching from overuse, a good massage or soaking them in a tub of hot water can work wonders to ease the discomfort.

Do I need to see a doctor for my foot pain?

If you have tried to treat your foot pain at home and have had no success, you may need to see a doctor for your foot pain. A doctor will be required to treat a broken bone, fracture, or sprain. If your foot pain is caused by a disease you may have, a doctor will also be necessary. Most of the time your instincts will be correct. If you have a feeling that your foot pain is serious and not something minor, you should go see a doctor. If you think it’s something that will either go away on it’s own or can be treated at home, try staying at home and tending to your foot yourself. If the pain persists for 3 or more days, consult a doctor.

What Can Cause Heel Pain?

A bone spur can cause extreme pain when walking. The bone spur rubs against the heel of the shoe and irritates the heel at the site. Usually the heel pain gets so severe, that it is almost impossible to take a step without wincing in pain.

What type of medical doctor treats heel pain?

Once you have established the site of the heel pain makes an appointment with a Foot Doctor. The Podiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in foot pains. He will probably take an x-ray of the source of the foot pain, give you a shot to relieve the foot pain, and diagnose the cause of the foot pain and the type of treatment available to eliminate the foot pain.

What if I Do Not Agree with the Diagnosis?

A patient should be aware of the alternatives to a diagnosis made by a doctor. Many podiatrists might recommend surgery to eliminate the bone spur causing severe heel pain. The doctor will explain what heel surgery entails, how long it will take to heal and if it is best to stay off the foot while it is healing, and approximate length of time. If you do not agree with the diagnosis, or do not want to have foot surgery, ask the doctor for an alternative treatment.

Who is in Charge of Deciding on the best treatment for my heel pain?

You, the patient, is always in charge of deciding the type of medical treatment preferred. Unless it is a matter of a life or death decision, ask your physician to suggest an alternative to surgery.

What else can be done to eliminate the heel pain caused by a bone spur?

One of the most invasive treatments to relieve the heel pain is done by soaking the foot, at least three times a day. Get two plastic pans. Fill one with cold water. Fill the other with a solution of hot (not burning hot) and a tablespoon of Epsom Salt. Make sure that the heel of the foot is immersed in the water. Soak the foot with the heel pain, first in the hot water solution for about three minutes. Then soak the foot in the cold water for the same amount of time. Repeat this process three times, ending with the cold-water soak. Do this for a week or more, until the pain goes away. Make sure you return to see your doctor.