foot PAIN
What Is Foot Pain?
Foot pain refers to any discomfort or ache in the feet, often stemming from structural issues, injuries, or overuse. It can affect daily activities like walking or standing, and early attention prevents worsening.
Common Causes of Foot Pain
Foot pain arises from various conditions and injuries which we treat at our podiatry clinic with condition-specific care. Here’s a list with brief explanations:
- Flat Feet: The arches collapse or never fully develop, leading to strain on feet and legs.
- Arch Pain: Discomfort in the foot’s arch, often due to inflammation or overuse of supporting tissues.
- Bunions: A bony protrusion at the big toe joint, causing the toe to angle inward and create pressure.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs cushioning joints, resulting in swelling and tenderness.
- Sesamoiditis: Irritation around small bones under the big toe, typically from repetitive stress.
- Plantar Plate Tear: Damage to the ligament under the toes, causing instability and pain in the ball of the foot.
- High Arches: Elevated inner foot arch, leading to uneven weight distribution and potential instability.
- Lisfranc Injury: Trauma to midfoot ligaments and bones, often from twists or impacts, causing swelling and instability.
- Mid-foot Contractures & Compression: Tightening of midfoot tissues with pressure, restricting movement and causing ache.
- Motor Neuron: Nerve issues affecting muscle control in the feet, leading to weakness or pain.
- Morton’s Neuroma: Thickened tissue around a nerve between toes, resulting in sharp, burning pain.
Symptoms of Foot Pain
Depending on the underlying cause, common signs include sharp or dull aches in the heel, arch, or ball of the foot, swelling, stiffness, numbness, or pain that worsens with activity. You might also notice difficulty bearing weight or changes in gait.
Diagnosis of Foot Pain
We get to the root cause of the pain to ensure effective treatment.
We begin with a thorough history and physical exam, assessing gait, range of motion, and tender areas. Tools like X-rays, ultrasound, or gait analysis help pinpoint the cause, ensuring a tailored plan.
Treatments for Foot Pain
Buderim Foot and Ankle offers a wide range of expert podiatry treatments to address foot pain and restore mobility including:
- Routine Foot Care & Medical Pedicure Services: Gentle maintenance to remove calluses and improve comfort.
- Diabetic Foot Assessment & Care: Specialised checks to prevent complications in at-risk feet.
- Footwear Modifications: Adjustments to shoes for better support and alignment.
- Footwear Assessments: Expert evaluations to recommend ideal shoes reducing strain.
- Shockwave Therapy: Non-invasive waves to promote healing in tissues.
- Moon Boots: Protective boots for offloading weight during recovery.
- Exercise Prescription & Load Management: Customised programs to strengthen and manage activity levels.
- Gait and Running Assessments: Analysis of movement to correct imbalances.
- Dry Needling: Targeted needle therapy for muscle relief.
Strapping: Supportive taping to stabilise and reduce pain. - Foot Mobilisation Therapy: Hands-on techniques to improve joint function.
- Custom 3D Printed Orthotics: Personalised inserts to redistribute pressure and align feet.
Whether from sports podiatry needs or everyday lower limb care, our team helps you overcome discomfort and enjoy your Sunshine Coast lifestyle.
Prevention Tips for Foot Pain
Wear supportive shoes, maintain a healthy weight, stretch regularly, and avoid prolonged standing on hard surfaces. Incorporate foot exercises, choose proper footwear for activities, and address minor issues early to keep feet strong.
When to Seek Professional Help
See us if pain persists beyond a few days, swells, or limits movement, especially with diabetes or sports involvement. Our experienced podiatrists diagnose and treat all forms of foot pain and provide comprehensive support with tailored treatments to relieve pain and improve foot function.