“Your feet shouldn’t hurt,” says Matthew C. Dairman, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Foot and ankle surgeons are specially trained to diagnose and treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex.
And we can help you with any pain you may be experiencing.” ACFAS has compiled a handy list some of the more common reasons for foot and ankle pain, as well as suggestions for what you can do to feel better: 1. Shoes: From high heels to flip flops, some popular shoe styles can create painful foot and ankle issues.
Choose shoes that cushion and support the foot to prevent pain as well as to provide stability, helping you avoid falls and acute injury. And be sure that your shoes fit correctly. Footwear that’s too large can rub the skin, causing blisters and sores, while a snug fit can aggravate bunions and hammertoes.
2. Overuse: Physical activities like playing a sport, working out at the gym or even exercising at home can lead to overuse injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, Morton’s neuroma and stress fractures. You can help prevent overuse injuries with the right footwear and by ramping up training slowly.
If you experience pain, take time off to rest until you see your foot and ankle surgeon for proper diagnosis and treatment. It’s the best way to get healthy and get back into the game. 3.
Acute injury.