FOOT PAIN AND HOW IT COULD DEVELOP INTO A SERIOUS PROBLEM
There are many conditions that can lead to foot pain. In my experience, there are three diseases that most commonly cause foot pain, peripheral arterial disease, arthritis, and diabetes. All three of these diseases can affect your body in many ways, but the effect they have on the health of your feet should be a top concern.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
In Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), plaque builds up in the arteries of your legs. This build-up reduces the flow of blood to your lower legs and feet. My patients who are suffering from PAD have cramps in the muscles of their legs while moving. Other symptoms of PAD are:
Fatigue
Foot or toe pain while you’re sleeping
Skin wounds or ulcers on your feet
If I suspect a patient is suffering from PAD I perform an ankle-brachial index. When performing an ankle-brachial index (ABI) I compare the blood pressure in your ankles to the blood pressure in your arms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects 1.3 million Americans and 90 percent will develop symptoms in their feet and ankles. This disease occurs when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your joints.
My patients with RA all suffer from severe foot pain. Their pain most often starts in their toes and then spreads to the rest of their feet and ankles. I have come to realize that this severe foot pain is usually the first sign that a patient has RA. It should also be noted that the joint damage from RA can change the shape of your foot.
Gout is another form of arthritis that can cause intense foot pain. Gout develops when uric acid builds up in your body. Deposits of this uric acid collect in your joints, most often your big toe joint, causing the intense pain.
Diabetes
Foot pain is very common in my patients who have diabetes. The excess sugar in their blood causes damage to the nerves and blood vessels in their feet. This leads to a decrease in sensation and blood flow. The damage to your feet caused by diabetes can lead to the surgical removal of your toe, foot, or lower leg.
I find that with medications and regular visits my patients are able to manage the symptoms of all three of these conditions. If you notice you are having severe foot pain that is disproportionate to your physical activity, please make an appointment with my office River Podiatry at your earliest convenience. With all three of these conditions, early intervention is key to preventing major damage to your feet.
River Podiatry, with offices in Pearl River NY and Midland Park NJ, provides individualized and comprehensive, treatment for patients suffering from various foot health issues. The practice specializes in foot surgery, as well as diabetic wound care. Make an appointment today with podiatrist and surgeon Dr. Han!
