Why Do My Feet Hurt?
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This is a question we at Texas Foot Specialists hear often at our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600), and Houston (713-664-6677) offices. When you’ve suffered an injury or are dealing with a chronic foot problem the answer may be fairly obvious, but, at other times, foot pain can be a mystery—until you do a little detective work. Your first move should be to schedule an appointment with us so that our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum can examine your feet and track down the cause of your podiatric discomfort. Some common sources of foot problems include:
Your Shoes—your footwear plays such a big role in the health and wellbeing of your feet, and yet, it’s the last item many patients think to check. Shoes can negatively impact comfort for any of the following reasons:
Too small (did you know some studies show that 9 out of 10 people are wearing the wrong size?)
Worn out—shoes have a life span (300-500 miles for most walking shoes). Even if they look fine on the outside, interior cushioning may be worn down or compacted and other features that protect your feet compromised.
Poorly designed—footwear like flip flops and fashion boots are notorious for having little or no arch support. Prolonged time spent in this type of shoe will result in arch and heel pain. Shoes with high heels and narrow toe boxes will lead to toe deformities like bunions and hammertoes.
Change in Activity Level—increasing or decreasing your amount of physical activity—or increasing it after a period of inactivity as has happened to many people during the pandemic—can cause feet to hurt. It’s important to change your position frequently throughout your day. If you sit, get up and walk around for at least 5 minutes every hour. If your work requires you to be on your feet, take breaks and put your feet up when you can. If you are trying to improve your fitness level, always start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.
Aging Issues—certain types of foot pain may be a result of the aging process. Joint pain in your feet or ankles may be a sign of osteoarthritis—the normal wear and tear on your joints over time that results in cartilage wearing down. Sore heels may be caused by fat pad atrophy in that area.
The good news is that most sources of foot and ankle pain can be treated with conservative and often non-medication related changes in habits and lifestyle. Don’t put off seeking evaluation for foot pain. Contact us today to get relief.