Foot pain is a common complaint amongst millions of people every year and the causes of this pain are many and varied. In order to establish the best form of treatment for foot pain, it is important to understand the cause to avoid delaying the recovery time and causing the pain to become a recurring issue.
Most incidents of foot pain come and go fairly quickly with little or no need to seek medical advice, but when foot pain persists for a period of two weeks or more, it might be a sign that something more serious is afoot, and so extra intervention, assessment, and treatment might be necessary.
How many types of foot problems are there?
Dozens of conditions could be making your foot hurt. Here are some well-known foot problems:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress fracture
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Achilles tendonitis
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Ingrown toenails
- Athlete’s foot
When is foot pain serious?
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent swelling
- Chronic pain
- Persistent numbness or tingling
- An open wound
- An infection
- Tenderness and warmth in your foot accompanied by a fever
Of course, you should also reach out for care if you have suddenly lost the ability to walk or bear weight on your foot.