Foot Pain Is Never Normal

How often do we suffer from foot and/or ankle pain at the end of the day, in the morning, or while playing sports? For some people it is a daily problem, and they may try to rationalize the pain by making excuses such as "I'm just getting old." Many of us are on our feet all day and work on hard surfaces, etc., but persistent and unrelenting FOOT PAIN IS NEVER NORMAL! Keep in mind that pain may be an indicator that something is not right.

Sometimes foot or ankle pain can be a sign of a serious medical problem. There are diseases which show their first outward signs on the foot. These diseases include peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetes and arthritis. Patients with PAD may experience a sensation of cold feet or may see color changes such as a bluish discoloration in the toes. The lack of foot hair can also be a sign of poor circulation. The skin will look "tense" and will not look healthy.

Consistent pain in your calves or in the arch of your feet while walking or resting could indicate PAD, which is also referred to as poor circulation or hardening of the arteries. Intermittent claudication (pain while you walk and goes away with rest) may be a symptom of PAD. There have been many advances in the fields of vascular disease management that may be able to restore blood flow to the affected foot.

Many cases of diabetes have been first diagnosed by a podiatrist, a healthcare provider who specializes in the care of the feet. Patients show up with a wound on the foot that has not healed for some time, which may or may not be infected. Usually there is no pain associated with the wound. If you have a foot wound that is not healing, please visit your health-care provider as soon as possible. There are many treatment options available and a vascular specialist can choose the best treatment for the wound.

Neuropathy is the loss of sensation in the feet and is another common complication of diabetes. This lack of feeling can lead to ulcers or sores on the toes and feet. In many cases, a trauma to the foot, for example, a pin or needle stuck in the foot, may not be felt by a person with diabetes. On numerous occasions, an ill-fitting pair of new shoes may be the cause. Patients may realize it only when they see blood on their sock or the floor. In extreme cases, the patient will realize it only when the foot becomes infected and swollen and begins to emit a foul smell. This illustrates the importance of daily foot inspections, which should be a daily routine for all persons with diabetes. Shaking out shoes before putting them on will also prevent the risk of starting a wound from a foreign object which has inadvertently fallen in the shoe. Properly fitting shoes are a must. An ounce of prevention may save a foot!

Another disease that shows itself in the feet and ankles is arthritis. Hammertoes and bunion deformities can be caused by arthritis. Bone spurs on the feet can also be a possible outcome of arthritis, as can gout, which is a form of inflammatory arthritis. Gout often occurs in the big toe joint.

About the Author: Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM is a clinical associate of the University of Texas Health Science Center's Department of Orthopedics in San Antonio, Texas, and is the treasurer of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the Vice Chair of the P.A.D. Coalition. He is also a past president of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA).