Foot Pain

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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 a podiatrist or other specialist can help many structurally related problems. Physical therapy is also quite helpful for conditions related to over-use or tight muscles, like plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis.

Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses may be necessary. This is generally performed by a podiatrist.

Surgery may be considered for certain conditions like bunions or hammer toes if the pain interferes with walking or other activities.