Orthopedic Foot Pain

Your foot is made up of 26 bones that are connected by a number of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. The complexity of the structure makes it vulnerable to several orthopedic conditions.

Improper Shoes

• Your foot pain may be related to wearing poor-fitting shoes. According to the University of Virginia, "Improperly fitted shoes can worsen and, in some cases, cause foot problems."

Common Causes

• Being overweight and aging are common causes leading to foot pain. Others include medical conditions such as arthritis, gout, diabetes and structural problems such as heel spurs, hammer toes, bunions, calluses and corns and fallen arches (flat feet).

Treatment

• If your foot pain is mild, you may treat it at home using ice on the painful area (only for 20 minutes at a time) and keeping it elevated. Abstain from the activity that caused the pain until the pain gets better. Look into foot pads, heel cups (heel spurs) and orthotics (flat feet).

Medical Intervention

• See a doctor if your pain is extreme and your foot is swollen, it follows an injury and you cannot walk on it or you have an open sore or ulcer on it. Fever in combination with foot pain is also cause for medical intervention. See a doctor if your pain does not improve after two weeks of self care.

Significance

• It is crucial that you treat your foot pain. Otherwise, it may develop into a chronic condition, long-term damage or disability, according to the MayoClinic.com.