Circulation & Foot Pain

Circulation problems that result in foot pain can be a caused by other conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Circulation problems can lead to tissue damage and possibly tissue death (gangrene). Treating the circulation problems can relieve the pain in the feet by restoring good circulation and maintaining tissue health.

Causes

• One cause of poor circulation that contributes to foot pain is varicose veins; these are veins which have become enlarged and tortuous. Another cause is peripheral vascular disease, a hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet.

Diagnosis

• A podiatrist will look for indicators of poor circulation, such as texture and color of the skin, loss of hair and hair distribution, venous patterns, swelling, and temperature differences between feet. One cold foot can indicate poor circulation whereas two cold feet could be attributed to the environment, neurological causes or anxiety.

Pain

• Pain levels in the feet caused by poor circulation are disproportionately high in comparison to the amount of tissue involved due to the presence of large quantities of nerves in the area.

Treatment

• Treatment of poor circulation that causes foot pain includes stenting and bypass surgery to treat varicose veins, anti-coagulation therapy to thin the blood, and exercises for the feet to promote good circulation.

Warning

• Immediate professional assistance should be sought for any condition which involves extreme pain or loss of movement or feeling in an extremity.