Table of Contents
- Overview
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Call your doctor if:
- You have sudden, severe pain.
- Your pain began following an injury -- especially if there is bleeding, bruising, deformity, or you cannot bear weight.
- You have redness or swelling of the joint, an open sore or ulcer on your foot, or a fever.
- You have new foot pain and have been diagnosed with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease (a condition characterized by poor circulation).
- You do not respond to self-care within 1 to 2 weeks.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying particular attention to your feet, legs, and back, and your stance, posture, and gait.
To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:
- Are both of your feet affected? If only one, which one?
- Exactly what part of your foot is affected?
- Does the pain move from joint to joint, or does it always occur in the same location?
- Did your pain begin suddenly and severely or slowly and mildly, gradually getting worse?
- How long have you had the pain?
- Is it worse at night or when you first wake up in the morning?
- Is it getting better?
- Does anything make your pain feel better or worse?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
X-rays may be useful in making a diagnosis.
For bunions, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, Morton's neuroma, or other conditions, your doctor may inject cortisone. This will be considered if oral medication, changing your shoes, and other measures have not helped. No more than three injections in a year should be attempted in most cases.
A broken foot will be casted. Broken toes will be taped.
Orthotics fit by an orthotist or other specialist can help many structurally related problems. Physical therapy is also quite helpful for conditions related to overuse or tight muscles, such as plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis.
Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses may be necessary. This may be performed by a medical doctor or a podiatrist.
Surgery may be considered for certain conditions like bunions or hammer toes if the pain interferes with walking or other activities.
Previous Section
Review Date: 03/02/2010
Reviewed By: Dennis Ogiela, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Danbury Hospital, Danbury,
CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
