Foot Pain

Foot pain is a common musculoskeletal issue that affects between 17-30% of Americans. At Balcones Pain Consultants, with offices in Austin, Cedar Park, and Marble Falls, Texas, the highly skilled pain management physicians boast years of experience diagnosing and treating foot pain. After an exam, they can identify the cause of your discomfort and develop a custom treatment plan. Call the nearest office to request a foot pain consultation or book online today.

What is foot pain?

Foot pain refers to aching, burning, or general discomfort that affects your toes, heels, or balls of your feet. Almost everyone experiences foot pain at some time during their life. Usually, it improves with at-home treatments, like ice, rest, and elevation. 

If you have foot pain that lasts for more than a few days or the pain keeps you from work and other routine activities, contact Balcones Pain Consultants immediately.

What causes foot pain?

Foot pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly
• Sports injuries
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Damaged arteries in the legs and feet
• Corns
• Calluses
• Bunions
• Warts
• Weight issues
• Fractures
• Sprains and strains
• Ingrown toenails
• Hammertoes
• Gout
• Fallen arches

You might also experience foot pain because of plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury characterized by chronic heel pain that’s worse in the mornings.

When should I seek treatment for foot pain? 

Make an appointment with the pain management experts at Balcones Pain Consultants if you have foot pain that’s severe or affects your mobility. That’s especially true if you have an underlying medical issue, like diabetes, that increases your risk of foot-related complications, like slow-healing wounds and nerve damage.

How is foot pain diagnosed?

To diagnose foot pain, your Balcones Pain Consultants provider reviews your medical records and examines your legs, ankles, and feet. Next, they ask a series of questions about the pain, including when it started, its severity, and which parts of your feet are affected. Your provider also orders X-rays to rule out fractures or a dislocated joint.

How is foot pain treated?

Treatment of foot pain depends on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. The pain specialists at Balcones Pain Consultants recommend conservative and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. Depending on your needs, they might suggest: 

• Prescription pain medication
• Rest, ice, and elevation
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• A cast or a splint
• Wart removal

If your symptoms continue or worsen, even after conservative treatment, an operative procedure might be necessary. In that case, your provider can refer you to a foot and ankle surgeon.

Can foot pain be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of foot pain by taking good care of your feet. Balcones Pain Consultants recommends wearing comfortable shoes that fit, inspecting your feet daily if you have diabetes, and practicing good foot hygiene. 

Call Balcones Pain Consultants to receive treatment for foot pain, or book online today.