4 Types of Foot Pain That Need Professional Treatment

Foot pain is an immediate problem, since your mobility depends on your feet. That said, even minor ailments can bring your day to a halt. 

As sports medicine specialists, the team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, can help with all types of foot pain. 

This month, we are outlining when it’s time to seek professional treatment for four common types of foot pain. Prompt attention can minimize your downtime. Here’s how to know when to give us a call. 

1. Pain that accompanies a foot injury

When you experience an injury that causes foot pain, medical attention should be a priority, particularly if the pain is accompanied by: 

• Bleeding
• The presence of an open wound
• Severe swelling
• Deformity of the foot or ankle joints
• The inability to support weight on the injured foot

Bone fractures, sprained ligaments, and other structural damage often result in painful symptoms. You could need some form of immobilization or surgery to properly repair this type of damage. 

2. Chronic pain

Sometimes, pain arises from a minor condition or no known condition at all which can get worse or simply persist. When you’ve experienced any level of foot pain for more than two weeks of home care without significant improvement, it is time for professional care. 

Persistent or chronic pain may be a sign of hard-to-treat conditions like arthritis, stress fractures, or plantar fasciitis. 

3. Neuropathy

Nerve-related pain, medically referred to as neuropathy, may present with other symptoms like numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Conditions like diabetes can cause nerve damage on the soles of your feet. 

With foot numbness, you can develop wounds or ulcers that you can’t feel, leading to serious complications. These problems often necessitate a comprehensive management plan to halt the progression of the damage. 

4. Infection-sourced pain

When signs of infection accompany your foot pain, professional treatment can rule out serious complications and conditions. Signs to watch for include: 

• Redness
• Warmth
• Swelling
• Fever
• Non-healing open sores

Infections in the feet can spread to other parts of your body. Systemic infection can lead to serious complications and further health risks. 

If you have diabetes or conditions that could compromise your circulation, your risk of complications is greater than for the average person. 

Other conditions that can benefit from professional care

While your local pharmacy may be overflowing with products to handle foot care at home, these may not be as effective as treatments available through our office. 

Products like bunion or corn pads, cushion inserts, braces, or wraps might provide some relief, but if these do not eliminate your pain, it is time for professional care. 

When you have unresolved foot pain, it is time to contact Princeton Sports and Family Medicine. Call or click to schedule a consultation and exam with our specialists today.