Many patients struggle with foot and ankle pain, causing them to seek proper treatment from a podiatrist. Although many people might feel that this isn’t a serious ailment, the problems associated with not getting foot and ankle pain treatment can be significant. With so many conditions related to feet hurting, from arthritis to tendonitis to plantar fasciitis, finding the proper treatment for your foot and ankle pain can be crucial. If you have foot and ankle pain that does not respond to home treatments, you may need to see a Katy foot and ankle surgeon to diagnose the cause and receive adequate treatment. Here are some of the common causes of foot and ankle pain.

Poorly Fitting Footwear

Many people wear poorly fitting footwear, such as high heels and shoes that don’t give proper support to the feet. Although this is common for many working women or men who wear uncomfortable shoes at their jobs all day, it can significantly contribute to foot and ankle pain after they leave work.

While some patients may need to go to a podiatrist for laser treatment, others may need to wear proper footwear, especially for their feet.

Sciatic Pain

Many people don’t realize that they can experience pain in their feet and ankles due to pinched sciatic nerves. This condition is typically caused by herniated discs or by the bones of the spine compressing the sciatic nerve. Patients may feel a tingling or sharp pain in their feet, ankles, or legs as a result of this condition.

Obesity

Being overweight means carrying excess weight on the feet, leading to foot pain. Obesity also increases the risk of arthritis, spinal problems, and diabetes, which can cause even more foot and ankle problems. Obesity is also related to plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the muscles in the feet.

Athletic Injuries

Any athlete who plays on their feet is at risk for foot and ankle injuries. Whether you are running or jumping on your feet or even just standing still while dancing, some part of your foot or ankle will be under a lot of stress. Although playing sports can be a great exercise, it increases the risk of more foot and ankle problems.

Inflammatory Arthritis

Doctors often refer to inflammatory arthritis as an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Patients with this condition may feel pain and swelling in their ankles, feet, and even knees. With rheumatoid arthritis, the entire foot can swell and ache all at once, making it difficult to function normally or even move around.

Corns And Calluses

Many patients develop corns and calluses on their feet, often due to wearing the wrong type of shoes. Patients who spend most of their day standing or walking can also develop these conditions if they are not careful. Having either condition is painful because it causes pressure to build up in certain areas. This pressure can cause your feet to ache and swell.

In summary, foot and ankle pain is a common condition. Most people experience foot and ankle pain due to corns and calluses, inflammatory arthritis, athletic injuries, and obesity. Sciatica and poorly fitting footwear are also responsible for many foot and ankle pain cases.