Ouch! Your aching feet! When your feet hurt, your day is interrupted and you may not be able to complete your daily tasks. Most of the time your pain might be caused by a combination of conditions. Below are 5 possible reasons why your feet might hurt. Let’s take a closer look.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

• Obesity
• Flat feet
• High-arched feet
• Overuse
• Inward roll of your feet when walking

• Orthotics
• Icing your heels
• Steroid shots
• Surgery (for severe cases)

Bunions

• A bulging bump on the outside of your big or pinky toe
• Pain at the site of the bunion
• Trouble moving your big or pinky toe
• Corns and calluses from overlapping toes

Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis

From weekend warriors to professional athletes, it is important to take care of your feet to remain fit and active while participating in sports and other recreational activities. With the repeated pounding that runners’ feet receive on paved surfaces, or from the side-to-side motion seen in court sports, there is no question that athletes’ feet and ankles are prime candidates for injuries. It is important to be on the lookout for some of the common problems associated with athletes – from ankle sprains to heel pain. With help from your podiatrist, you can take charge of your feet and avoid the bench.

Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis 

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue, called the plantar fascia, which stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. It is also commonly referred to as heel or arch pain. Over-pronation may be a cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens your foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this repetition causes inflammation of your heel and arch. 

Orthotics Provide Comfort and Stability

Your podiatrist offers orthotics to reduce pain and restore proper function to the feet, thus relieving pain. An orthotic device is inserted into the shoe, and is designed to restore and aid the natural foot function. This is achieved by realigning the foot and ankles to their natural position, allowing muscles and joints to move with less stress and tension. 

Many people can benefit from orthotics, including people with jobs that require standing or walking for extended periods of time. Common foot ailments, such as corns, calluses, Morton’s neuroma, flat foot, hammertoe and plantar fasciitis can often be improved with the help of a custom-made shoe insert that fits comfortably into the shoe.  

Orthotic devices allow the bones, tendons and muscles of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. Orthotics can decrease discomfort and improve function, not only in the foot, but also in other parts of the body so that everyday tasks aren’t painful. 

Foot pain is never normal and should not be ignored.  Always visit your podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Whether you are active in sports or simply want to relieve pain caused by the stresses of everyday tasks, you can benefit from a custom-made orthotic device.  

As an athlete it is important to remain on your feet! With the help of sports podiatry, you can ensure their health.

Anytime a person engages in sports, they are running the risk of suffering an injury to the foot and ankle. Many of the injuries that cause foot ailments and pain are caused by high-impact sports, such as running. Other times foot problems can arise from wearing improper footwear or from inadequate training.

There are a number of foot conditions that an athlete can suffer from, including ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot and blisters. Let’s take a brief look at two of the more serious and most common conditions: plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains. When these conditions occur, your podiatrist is available to provide you with the best treatment available.

Heel Pain Caused By Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot ailments experienced by runners and the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick, dense tissue that runs from the ball of the foot along the arch, connecting to the heel. People with flat feet or individuals who overpronate are more susceptible to heel pain because of the increased stress that occurs at the heel.

Many times the pain is worse in the morning when you first get up, but subsides as you move around throughout the day. Treatment will vary depending on each case, but generally rest, ice and stretching can help ease the pain. When conservative treatments aren’t effective and the pain persists, see your podiatrist for recommended treatment, such as orthotics.

Ankle Sprains

Caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones, an ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries experienced by athletes. The severity of a sprain will depend on the extent of the stretching and tearing of ligaments. How severe the tear is will determine how long it takes for your ankle to heal - sometimes up to several months. When a sprain first occurs, there will likely be chronic ankle pain. The ankle will swell, and discoloration may occur. 

The RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) procedure should be administered right away for an ankle sprain. Serious ankle sprains, particularly among competitive athletes, may require surgery to repair and tighten the damaged ligaments. If you’re prone to ankle sprains, avoid running on uneven terrain and wear firm, supportive footwear for improved stability. Unfortunately ankle sprains are often recurring. Your podiatrist can help determine the severity of your sprain and the necessary course of treatment, including exercises to strengthen your weak ankle. 

Heel pain and ankle sprains can be easily treated, yet many athletes delay proper treatment for fear of discontinuing their favorite sport.  Delaying treatment will only make the injury worse, often times leading to a far more serious injury that requires extensive care and treatment. If you frequently participate in sports and other physical activities, it’s important to pay close attention to your feet and ankles as they are placed under tremendous pressure and are at high risk for injury.

Remember to train properly for your specific activity and wear supportive shoes that offer stability for your specific sport.  If you are experiencing pain for extended periods of time, take time to rest. Chronic pain likely indicates a serious foot problem and continuing to play your sport will only make matters worse. Talk to your podiatrist about the best ways to prevent and treat common sports-related foot injuries.

Heel pain is one of the leading problems that cause patients to visit their podiatrist, and it’s no wonder. The relentless ache in the bottom of your foot or the sharp pain as you step out of bed in the morning is often enough to persuade even the most stubborn patient to make an appointment with his or her podiatrist.

Because there are many potential causes of heel pain, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, nerve damage or arthritis, it’s important to have your foot examined by a podiatrist with expert training in heel pain. Kenneth R. Meisler, D.P.M., P.L.L.C. & Associates will examine your foot, determine the underlying source of your heel pain, assess your symptoms, make a proper diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan based on your individual case. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more serious problems.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, occurring when the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that connects the heel to the toes becomes irritated and inflamed. When the plantar fascia is strained over time beyond its normal extension, tissues of the fascia may tear or stretch, which leads to pain.

Faulty foot structures, such as flat feet or high arches are common causes of plantar fasciitis. Non-supportive shoes and increased weight or strain may aggravate the condition as well.

Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Bottom of the heel pain
• Pain that intensifies after sitting for extended periods of time and subsides after a few minutes of walking
• Pain that worsens over a period of months

Most types of heel pain, once properly diagnosed, can be successfully treated with conservative measures, such as use of anti-inflammatory medications and ice, rest, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, footwear modifications, and physical therapy. The longer heel pain is allowed to progress, the longer treatment can take. When plantar fasciitis doesn’t respond to conservative care, your podiatrist may recommend surgery as a last resort.  Always seek care from our New York office for heel pain in its earliest stages for proper treatment.

Biomechanics involve how the movements of your lower limbs and feet affect the rest of your body.  When the feet aren’t working correctly, you may experience injuries and pains in other areas of the body beside your foot, such as the knees, hips and back.  Even the slightest changes, such as leg length discrepancies or fallen arches, can have a huge impact on your entire body’s ability to function properly without pain or injury.  

If you’re an athlete, many sport-related injuries develop from poor biomechanics of the foot. Athletes with poor foot mechanics are more prone to sustaining lower extremity injuries.   As your body tries to compensate for any anomalies, your muscles, joints and tendons are placed under excessive stress.

It’s important that athletes visit their New York podiatrist for athorough assessment of their biomechanics at the first sign of a problem or pain, including footdiscomfort, poor balance, or unexplained corns and calluses. An assessment of your low limbs will help identify what happens in your legs and feet when you walk, stand and run.   A professional evaluation is critical for successful prevention and treatment of any injury or condition. 

Many sport injuries can be traced back to biomechanical problems including:

• Sprained ankles
• Back pain
• Hip pain
• Shin splints
• Calluses and corns
• Plantar fasciitis

Once Kenneth R. Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates has identified the problem and cause of your pain, a tailor made treatment plan can be created to restore your lower extremities and feet back to their normal function, thus improving your game. Treatment may involve one or more of the following:

• Exercises and therapy to stretch or strengthen muscles
• Orthotic devices that are worn inside the shoe to control, realign or cushion the abnormalities, thus reducing discomfort
• Footwear modifications

Don’t let poor foot biomechanics compromise your game. Whether you are a full-time athlete or the weekend warrior, your podiatrist can help you return to your favorite sport activity. Not only will performance improve, but injuries will also be significantly reduced with proper treatment.