Have Debilitating Arch Pain In The Foot? What To Know
Do the arches of your feet ache every day, even though you have tried orthotic shoes and insoles? If so, you want to get to a podiatrist, which is a foot specialist, to see what is going on. The foot doctor can help you treat the problem, to get rid of the pain, and can work with you to see what has lead to this foot discomfort. Here are some of the things that you want to talk about and go over, and things that could end being necessary to treat the pain.
Imaging Test
The doctor will most likely want to do an imaging test so they can examine the bone structure and ligaments of the foot. They may order the following:
- MRI
- X-ray
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
The doctor may start with the x-ray because it's an easy and affordable option that they may be able to do in office. This may show a variety of bone problems, which will then need to be treated.
Causes of the Pain
Often those who are straining their feet throughout the day with posture, poor quality orthotics, strenuous exercise or an injury will develop planters fasciitis. This is a condition in which the planters fascia is stretched, causing pain in the arch and also sometimes the heal.
Another cause of the pain could be having a flat foot, or overpronation while walking. The doctor will examine walking posture, shoes, and the structure of the foot to come up with a cause.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that can be used for this type of injury. The doctor may want you to:
- Wear a boot and take pressure off the injury
- Have surgery to remove torn tissues or repair damages
- Do therapy
- Get new specialized shoes
The treatment will vary depending on the severity of the arch pain, and what type of problem caused the injury to appear in the first place.
If your arch pain is now debilitating and you can't get any pain relief, it's time to seek the advice of a medical professional, so that you can get to the bottom of the problem. You don't want to continue on in pain, and you don't want to do any more damage to the injury or cause any permanent type of injury. Find a podiatrist as soon as you can and make sure to rest, ice and elevate the area.