Dealing with foot pain? Find out when you should see a doctor. 

Did you know that your feet take on about 1.5 times your body weight whenever you walk? And if you are a runner, your feet absorb up to five times your weight. So it often doesn’t come as much of a shock to find that most of us, at some point, will end up dealing with foot pain. This is one of the top reasons patients come to see our Leander, TX podiatrists Dr. Brian Hochman and Dr. Van Dao Hochman.

So, the million-dollar questions remain: What could be causing your foot pain and when should you see a doctor?

It’s nearly impossible to tell what’s causing you foot pain unless you come in for an evaluation. You could try and throw your symptoms into an online symptom checker but that may have you more confused than ever (or may even leave you feeling more stressed out about wacky or scary results). That’s why seeing a doctor can eliminate these concerns.

Some of the top foot pain causes that our Leander, TX foot doctors often treat include:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bone spur
• Bunions
• Sprains and strains
• Broken foot or toe
• Stress fracture
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Tendon rupture
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails
• Hammertoe

As you might imagine, these are only some of the causes of foot pain. Some conditions and injuries can be treated with rest and home care. If you are dealing with what seems like a muscle strain or a non-serious injury then self-care may be your first option. Rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications can help ease your symptoms.

However, it’s important to know when you should see a doctor for treatment rather than trying to treat the problem on your own. It’s a good idea to see a doctor if:

• Your foot pain persists for more than a week
• You’ve experienced swelling for more than a week
• You notice a burning sensation in your feet
• Symptoms get worse or make it difficult to put weight on the foot

You should seek immediate medical care if:

• You have diabetes or nerve damage and you experience pain or notice other changes in your feet
• You can’t walk on the affected foot
• You have extreme pain and swelling
• Your foot pain is accompanied by a fever over 100 F
• You notice signs of an infection (e.g. pus; skin that’s warm to the touch; red streaks)

Are you dealing with foot pain that’s keeping you from enjoying what you love? If so, call Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists in Leander, TX today at (512) 738-8896 to get the answers and care that you’re looking for.