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Maybe you feel pain at the back of your heel, or maybe the issue is in your toes. Wherever your discomfort is located, you probably primarily care about one thing: getting relief.
In most cases, though, effectively treating your foot pain starts with figuring out what’s causing the problem. We can help. At Greater Pittsburgh Foot & Ankle Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania, William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS, specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad range of foot issues.
Let’s look at five of the most common causes of foot pain — and what Dr. DeCarbo can do to address them.
#1: Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause inflammation in your joints. When that affects the joints in your feet or ankles, it can mean pain with every step you take.
Fortunately, if you have arthritis, Dr. DeCarbo has a range of treatment options he can tap for you, from orthotics to physical therapy to corticosteroid injections.
#2: Bunions
You get diagnosed with a bunion when the joint at the base of your big toe gets misaligned. This might cause the bunion to rub in shoes or make walking uncomfortable.
Some people get relief from their bunions by wearing different shoes or adding orthotics to their footwear. If conservative treatments don’t help, Dr. DeCarbo offers a specialized, minimally invasive bunion correction surgery called Lapiplasty®.
#3: Hammertoe
A hammertoe is a toe that doesn’t lay flat like it should. That clawlike shape can cause the toe to rub on the top of your shoe, contributing to blisters and calluses. It might also feel stiff.
If you can’t extend your toe out straight, Dr. DeCarbo can help. Effective treatment might come from stretching and strengthening the toe and using supports like tape or toe pads. If conservative treatment doesn’t help, Dr. DeCarbo can explore surgery with you.
#4: Achilles tendon problems
Your Achilles tendon isn’t actually in your foot, but it can cause foot pain. This large tendon runs from the back of your calf to your heel. If it runs into an issue — like inflammation or a rupture — you’ll often experience heel pain.
Sometimes, you can heal the Achilles tendon with rest, ice, and other simple treatment protocols. In other cases, you might need more involved care like extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Dr. DeCarbo can help you find what’s right for you.
#5: Plantar fasciitis
Another common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis usually feels like a stabbing sensation in the heel. You might feel the pain most sharply when you first stand up after a period of rest.
Here, too, resting the area and supporting it with options like orthotics often helps. Dr. DeCarbo may also recommend anti-inflammatory medication or physical therapy.
Clearly, a lot of different conditions could be behind your foot pain. To get a diagnosis paired with a personalized treatment plan for your unique foot or feet, come see Dr. DeCarbo. Call our office or book your appointment online today.