Posts for tag: Foot Pain
Your feet endure a lot of stress on a daily basis. The impact of something as simple as walking can put excess strain on your feet. The 
stress and strain of walking, running, climbing stairs or standing for extended periods of time can ultimately lead to the development of foot pain. Foot pain can be felt anywhere on the foot, including the toes, ankles or heels. Fortunately, there are treatment options for these different types of foot pain. At Maryland Podiatry Center, Dr. John Murphy is your podiatrist for treatment of foot pain in Ellicott City, MD.
Bunions
Bunions are a common source of foot pain. Bunions are a bony protrusion on the side of the foot that develops when the joint of the big toe slips out of place. Since this bony protrusion sticks out from the foot, it can easily become inflamed when the inside of your shoes rub against it throughout the day. When bunions become inflamed, pain and discomfort can result.
Bunions will not simply go away in time. Treatment is necessary and there are a variety of methods for treating bunions. Wearing cushioned orthotics or footwear with extra room in the toe box are two methods for alleviating the discomfort associated with inflamed bunions. Another option is surgery. During surgery, the bunion is removed and the toe joint is realigned. In Ellicott City, foot pain caused by bunions can be treated by a podiatrist.
Ankle Injuries
Another source of foot pain is an ankle injury, such as a sprained ankle. An ankle can become sprained when it twists the wrong way, resulting in torn or stretched ligaments. Left untreated, a sprained ankle injury can result in chronic foot pain and the development of other foot problems. Treatment options for alleviating the foot pain associated with ankle injuries include resting and/or elevating the ankle, applying ice or using compression bandages. Surgery to repair torn ligaments is also a treatment possibility for severe cases.
Heel Pain
In addition to bunions and ankle injuries, another source of foot pain is damage or injury to the heel area. Two common types of heel injuries are achilles tendonosis, associated with pain behind the heel, and plantar fasciitis, associated with pain on the bottom of the heel. Possible treatment methods for either of these two heel conditions include resting the foot, wearing orthotic shoe inserts for added cushion, undergoing physical therapy or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT). In some cases, surgery might be necessary.
No matter what type of foot pain you have or what the cause is, it is possible to end your foot pain with treatment from an experienced podiatrist. For treatment of foot pain in Ellicott City, MD, schedule an appointment with Dr. Murphy by calling Maryland Podiatry Center at (410) 992-8504.
Are you wondering if your foot pain could be due to plantar fasciitis?
You don’t know what is causing your heel pain but you certainly know that it’s putting a damper on your days. You want to go for a run but the aching, gnawing heel pain is enough to keep you benched. Perhaps it’s difficult just to get around the house let alone think about working out. Our Ellicott City, MD, podiatrist, Dr. John Murphy, is here to offer up some insight into what might be going on.
One of the most common causes of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, for many people, this condition isn’t serious and will go away on its own. Of course, this isn’t the only thing that could cause your heel pain so it’s a good idea to visit your Ellicott City foot doctor if your heel pain doesn’t get better after a week, or if symptoms get worse.
Other common causes of heel pain include:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Heel spurs
- Bursitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Heel pad inflammation
- Stress fracture
It will be nearly impossible to diagnose the cause of your heel pain all on your own, but this is where we come in. We have the tools and knowledge necessary to get to the root of your problem so that we can provide a treatment plan to get you back up and moving around.
What is plantar fasciitis?
There is a thick band of tissue that runs the length of your feet known as the plantar fascia. It extends from the toes along the soles of the feet until it attaches at the heel. Sometimes, through injury or overuse, this band of tissue becomes inflamed and irritated. This is a common condition found in runners or those who are on their feet a lot throughout the day. Athletes and those who are overweight are also prone to developing this inflammatory foot condition.
In most cases, the inflammation will go away on its own, but there are simple everyday things you can do to manage your symptoms and ensure that the problem doesn’t get worse. Promote faster healing by:
- Resting the foot as much as possible and avoiding high-impact sports or activities like running or football.
- If you must continue to exercise, opt for the stationary bike or swimming, which won’t put more stress on the bones, tissues or joints.
- Also, talk to us about ways to splint the foot to improve the alignment all while providing additional cushioning and support that the inflamed tissue will need to heal more efficiently.
- Only wear shoes that provide the proper amount of support and stabilization. You may also need to wear orthotics in your shoes to improve foot alignment and to absorb shock while walking, standing or moving.
- In cases that don't respond to conservative treatment, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) may be needed.
Are your symptoms pointing to plantar fasciitis? Do you hate battling foot pain? Then don’t do it alone. Call Maryland Podiatry Center in Ellicott City, MD, today to find out how we can help.
Ladies—we have a couple questions for you. Are you a trendsetter? Do you love slipping on those fashionable shoes for the fun of it? While being fashion forward is important, you need to consider foot wellness. If you are suffering from foot pain, Ellicott City foot doctor, Dr. John Murphy can help you put your best foot (or feet) forward in 2014! By pinpointing some shoe no-no’s, you may find yourself making better choices for fashion and foot comfort.