Skip to main content

Common Causes of Chronic Foot Pain

I have tendinitis in my feet... I first experienced the problem many years ago, and was able to resolve it with the help of a podiatrist and some custom orthotics.  Years later, the problem has re-emerged, and believe you me, it's no party.  I am still trying to find my custom orthotics but in the meantime Dr. Scholl's is doing a pretty good job.  I decided that it might be a good time to write about a few conditions that cause chronic foot pain.  It seems to me that I've known a lot of folks over the years who have had the problems I am about to describe.






Tendinits 

Tendinitis, as the name implies, is the inflammation of a tendon.  My personal problem with tendinits involves the tendons in the top of the foot...the achilles tendon could also be affected by tendinits.  

The usual clue that tendinitis is present is pain, and possibly inflammation.  This can be caused by overuse; in my case I spend a lot of time on my feet, so it's no wonder there is a problem.  The treatment involves rest and ice packs.  I opted to try Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Inserts for my shoes and for me, they've done a world of good.  If home remedies don't work out, then it's time to visit the podiatrist.

Bunion

A bunion is a bump on the outside of the big toe; it forms when the bone or tissue at the base of the toe moves out of place.  If this part of your foot is red, swollen or painful, it might be due to bunions.
There is some genetic component to bunion formation,  but wearing shoes that are too tight or squeeze the toes together can also be a factor.  Podiatrists treat bunion in a number of ways: medication, padding and taping, physical therapy, orthotics, and/or surgery are some examples.

Heel pain

There are many causes of heel pain, but here we will focus on plantar fascitis--inflammation of a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the ball of the big to the heel. The condition may be worsened by wearing shoes that do not have adequate support.  Sometimes walking or resting makes the condition feel better temporarily but does not offer long term relief.  Treatment can involve many of the same things as bunion: good shoe fit, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy.  In some cases, surgery may be necessary.


Source: APMA.org; Dr. Scholl's; Wikipedia


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Living with Chronic pain hits the big screen!

Been to the movies lately?  Jennifer Aniston is on the big screen in a recent release titled "Cake." Her character, Claire is a victim of chronic pain...she belongs to a support group, where all of the members are coming to terms with the suicide of one of their members.  Of course, she also takes pain medication and addiction is another of her problems...and of course there's more! I guess I am writing this post just to bring readers' attention to the fact that Hollywood has become aware of the crisis that is chronic pain.  This movie is a testament to that. People that don't have to live with this kind of pain don't fully understand the whole story.  Maybe this movie will shed some light on the issues. Here is the official trailer for the movie: Sources: prweb;NorthJersey.com;YouTube

Sciatica: A common pain in the butt!

Sciatica pain results from pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve.  This nerve originates in the spine and runs down through the buttocks and the back of the leg...so if you've ever literally had a pain in the butt, it is possible that sciatica is the problem.  The cause of the pressure can be from a number of sources...for instance,  compression in the spinal cord due to disc injury or a tumor. The sciatica pain sensation can vary widely..it can present as a numbness or tingling, dull ache, burning, and in severe cases the pain can make movement quite difficult. Over time, it is possible for sciatica to resolve on its own.  If it does not, it is important to seek medical help to determine the root cause of the pain. The usual first course of remedies for sciatica include ice application to the affected area for the first 48-72 hours, followed by heat.  Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are also appropriate.  ...

Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: Applying the 80/20 Principle

The idea for today's post comes from my husband, who has in recent years become a follower of the paleo/primal diet.  Most of the time he is very strict about this diet, making sure not to eat anything taboo.  On occasion, he breaks from the rigidity of his new found way of life and enjoys a few cookies, maybe a bottle of beer, or a new pasta dish. Why, you ask?  He says that according to others who follow this course, there is an 80/20 rule.  This means that that if you adhere to the rules 80% of the time, you can allow yourself some leeway the other 20% of the time.  It is important to bring this concept to the readers of this blog for a number of reasons: 1)If you have been following this blog at all, you know there are a lot of lifestyle changes that can tremendously enhance relief from chronic pain.  For a lot of people this not an easy thing to do.  By opting to follow the 80/20 rule these lifestyle modifications suddenl...