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Foot Pain Specialist

Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C.

Sports Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Lawrenceville, NJ

The foot is one of the most intricate parts of your body, so foot pain can have many possible causes. The expert team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, diagnoses and treats all types of foot and ankle pain in patients ages 4 and older. If you or a loved one has foot or ankle pain that doesn’t resolve on its own, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Foot Pain Q & A

What is foot pain?

Each foot contains more than 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles, as well as 26 bones and 30 joints. An injury or illness that affects any of these structures can lead to foot pain.

Depending on the cause, foot pain may include some of the following signs and symptoms:

  • Pain beneath the heel
  • Pain behind the heel
  • Pain at the ball of the foot
  • Toe pain
  • Pain in the arch of the foot
  • Deformity, such as a bump or bent toe
  • Redness or discoloration
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness to the touch

These symptoms can make it difficult to walk, run, or participate in sports. Foot pain can begin suddenly or develop gradually. If you experience any type of foot pain, the team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. can help.

What is ankle pain?

Ankle pain is discomfort in any part of your ankle. Ankle pain can be due to an acute injury, such as a sprained ankle, or a chronic condition like arthritis. Ankle sprains are among the most common sports injuries. A single ankle sprain increases your risk for ankle instability.

What causes foot and ankle pain?

Your feet carry the weight of your body during day-to-day activities like walking and climbing stairs. This heavy use leaves many opportunities for foot and ankle pain to develop. Injuries and diseases that cause foot pain include:

  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Morton’s neuroma
  • Diabetic foot ulcers
  • Ankle sprains
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Fractures
  • Bunions
  • Hammertoe
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Flat feet
  • Warts

Some medical conditions, like peripheral artery disease (PAD), can also cause foot pain and leg cramping. Certain activities may increase your risk for foot and ankle pain, such as gymnastics, soccer, running, football, and dance.

How do you diagnose foot and ankle pain?

First, your provider at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. asks about your foot and ankle pain, such as when it started and what symptoms you experience. They carefully examine your foot, ankle, and leg.

Depending on what they find in the exam, your provider may also order tests, such as an X-ray or musculoskeletal ultrasound. These tests help your provider confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

How do you treat foot and ankle pain?

The team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. creates a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Depending on the cause, foot and ankle pain treatment may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
  • Therapeutic injections
  • Diagnostic ultrasound
  • Bracing or casting
  • Orthotics

The team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. works with other sports medicine professionals, such as physical therapists, to ensure you receive the most effective treatment.

To learn how you can overcome foot and ankle pain and get back to your favorite activities, call Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., or book an appointment online today.