Most people will experience some degree of achiness or soreness in their feet after a long day of walking or standing. But if you're experiencing discomfort even after a short time on your feet, there may be something not quite right. A number of foot problems can lead to the achy, sore sensation you're experiencing. Here's a look at a few of the more common ailments and what a podiatrist can do about them.
Plantar Fasciitis
Would you say that the aching is situated primarily along the arch of your foot and towards your heel? Does it tend to get worse after you sit down for a while and then stand up again? You could be dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis. This condition isn't as complex as its name sounds. It's just an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a band of connective tissue on the underside of your foot.
Rest will help a lot if your foot aches are due to plantar fasciitis. However, your podiatrist may also have you wear specialized, arch-supporting splints at night. They might also give you a cortisone injection to relieve inflammation in the plantar fascia and jump-start your body's own healing process.
Stress Fracture
Is the pain mostly in the top of your foot where your bones and tendons are located? Have you done a lot of running, walking, or jumping lately? You might be dealing with a stress fracture, which is a break in a bone caused by repeated trauma. These are common in runners and hikers.
Your podiatrist can take x-rays to determine if you do, indeed, have a stress fracture. If you do, they'll likely have you wear a soft cast or a boot for a few weeks to speed up recovery.
Arthritis
Is the achiness accompanied by stiffness? Does it seem to ease up as you use and stretch your foot? You might be developing arthritis in one or more of the joints in your foot. There is no cure for arthritis, but there's a lot you can do to manage its symptoms. Your podiatrist may recommend NSAID pain relievers or topical anti-inflammatories such as CBD cream.
If your feet are aching more than usual, head to your local podiatrist's office for a diagnosis and treatment. There is a lot they can do for the common causes of foot aches. Relief may be closer than you would have imagined.