Foot Pain comes in many different forms. The heel and and the ankle are the most delicate parts of your foot. In this blog Dr. Keith Feder and Dr. Carol Frey – one of the leading foot and ankle specialists in the country – explain how foot pain can be handled, so you can go back to your old “dancing steps”.
Foot Pain: Man runner outside with digital composite of foot bones
Feet. They carry you from here to there every day. But you may not think much about them until they hurt. And when they do, you want relief. To get the right treatment, you need to know the problem. The first thing to consider is where your pain is located.
Heel Pain
If your pain is in your heel, you may have plantar fasciitis. That’s an irritation or inflammation of the band of tough tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. Usually, it hurts the worst in the morning when you’re getting out of bed. You can feel it in your heel or in your arch.
Here is how Dr. Feder and Dr. Frey recommend how to treat it:
- Rest your foot.
- Do heel and foot muscle stretches.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Wear shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole.
If the pain does not go away, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Feder or Dr. Frey at
866-591-4844 to schedule an appointment.
Foot Pain: Young woman suffering from an ankle injury while exercising and running
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs can be a source of foot pain. They can be from excessive wear and tear of the foot or chronic inflammation. They can occur on the bottom of the heel or the back of the heel. These are abnormal growths of bone. You can get them from wearing the wrong shoes or from an abnormal walk or posture, or even from activities like running. The spurs may hurt while you’re walking or standing. Lots of people have them, but most don’t have pain. People with flat feet or high arches are more likely to have painful heel spurs.
To treat them:
- Wear a cutout heel pad.
- Use a custom-made insert (called an orthotic) worn in the shoe.
- Wear shoes that fit well and have shock-absorbing soles.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Rest your foot.
- Try physical therapy.
- If you still have pain, ask Dr. Feder or Dr. Frey about medical procedures.
Remember, you are in good hands. Dr. Frey is considered one of the top international foot and ankle specialists. She works with Olympic athletes, Division I college players and the most complex and critical cases. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she was a Division I swimmer.
She is also a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. Her training includes a residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
She is also the author of several books and has been featured on several national TV networks.
Her latest book “Don’t worry: My Mom is the Team Doctor” is a national bestseller.
Don’t Worry: My Mom is the Team Doctor
Heel Fractures
A heel fracture is usually a high-impact injury such as from a fall or car accident. Your heel bone may not just break, it could also shatter. Heel pain, bruising, swelling, or trouble walking are the main symptoms.
To treat it:
- Don’t put pressure on the heel. You can use crutches.
- Protect the heel with pads.
- Wear a splint or cast to protect the heel bone.
- Ask your doctor about over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers.
- Try physical therapy.
If you’re still in pain, call our friendly operators at West Coast Center For Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in Manhattan Beach 866-591-4844.
Ball of Foot Pain
Metatarsalgia. You feel this pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot. Ill-fitting shoes are the usual cause. But you might get it from strenuous activity, such as running or jumping. It’s sometimes called a stone bruise as well.
To treat it:
- Take pain relievers.
- Ice and rest your foot.
- Wear comfortable footwear.
- Try shoe inserts to relieve pressure on the ball of your foot.
Arch Pain
Plantar fasciitis. This is the most common cause of arch pain. Plantar fasciitis can affect the heel, arch, or both. Treatment is the same regardless of the location. For persistent plantar fasciitis, an injection with a mixture of a steroid and local anesthetic can be helpful however, according to Dr. Frey, “steroid injections may be recommended but FDA approved medical grade shock wave may be delivered as a safe alternative. Actually, I prefer shock wave to steroids and believe it is safer.”
Foot Pain: Injured athlete sitting on a wooden floor
Fallen arches , or flat feet, happen when the arches of the feet flatten out (often when standing or walking), causing foot pain and other problems. Flat feet can be treated with shoe inserts, shoe adjustments, rest, ice, using a walking cane or brace, or physical therapy. Sometimes surgery is necessary.
Again, with Dr. Feder and Dr. Frey West Coast Sports Medicine has two of the best doctors in the country that can check you out and come up with the best treatment plan for you. Stop being in pain and pick up that phone. Our doctors and their well trained staff are waiting for you to come in – so they can get you back out into the world painfree and ready to dance ☺….Call 866-591-4844.
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