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Pain in the arch of the foot is quite common. Adults and kids are equally prone to pain here. In kids, flat feet are most often the foot type that causes arch pain; in adults, high arches can also be the culprit.
Arch pain can occur because of an injury, but most often that isn’t the cause. Having a job that involves standing all day can predispose you to pain in this part of the foot. The symptoms of arch pain can be aching, sharpness, cramping, or throbbing sensations.
There are several causes of arch pain, but three of the most common are:
Tendinitis
There are a few tendons that attach to bones near the arch of the foot. One of them can get strained, causing pain with every step.
Someone with flat arches (flatfeet) is more prone to straining one of these tendons. The pain can occur in the arch or bottom of the foot, the inside of the ankle, or the top of the foot.
Pinched Nerve
Just like Carpal Tunnel in the hand, a nerve in the foot can get pinched, causing pain in the arch. The term is Tarsal Tunnel. The nerve gets pinched just below the ankle but the pain can radiate to the arch.
The symptoms of a pinched nerve are sharpness, aching, cramping, or pins and needles. Pain from a pinched nerve can be bothersome even when sitting or lying down, unlike pain from a tendon, ligament, or bone.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition is much more common in the heel but can occur in the arch. A person with a low or high arch can strain the plantar fascia. Usually, the pain is very localized to the arch as opposed to the other two conditions noted here.
A lump can develop in the arch, causing pain from walking barefoot or wearing certain shoes. This is known as a Plantar Fibroma. It’s a form of a tumor but not serious. Any lump on the foot should be checked for the possibility of something more serious than a benign lesion.
If you have pain in your arch(es), start by making sure your shoes have good support. If shoes make your arch hurt more, it could be a sign of a pinched nerve or a torn tendon. Like most other foot conditions, temporarily avoid jogging and jumping to allow the foot to rest. Ice and an anti-inflammatory can help. A soft, inexpensive store-bought insert may relieve some of the pain. Also, being barefoot on a hard surface isn’t recommended.
As always, if your arch hurts for more than a couple of weeks, having us evaluate it is in your best interest. We’ve discovered tears, broken bones, and tumors that could have caused long-term suffering had the patient waited too long. Long-standing pain in the arch of the foot can be difficult to relieve. In some cases, we’ve had to resort to a cast or surgery.
It’s common to try a new or different pair of shoes if your arch(es) hurt. However, don’t fall into the trap of buying multiple pairs if the first couple don’t help. We’re astonished how much money some people will spend on shoes, inserts or other home remedies before seeking medical attention. It’s usually cheaper and faster to have us get the solution you need.
Arch pain can slow you down if you let it. Since there are many possible causes, the sooner you have a specialist address it, the faster you can get back to doing what you enjoy without the pain.
We are here to help you get fast relief and avoid surgery.
Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is often caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is usually the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, can be the result of excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This restricts how much blood can flow through arteries. Reduced blood flow to a certain area of the body severely limits the amount of oxygen and nutrients that part of the body receives. This leads to degeneration in the muscles and other tissues. Sometimes, poor blood circulation in the feet and legs can be caused by other conditions, such as the damaging or inflammation of blood vessels, known as vasculitis.
The lack of oxygen and nutrients caused by poor blood circulation can restrict muscle growth and development, as well as cause muscle pain and cramps, weakness, and stiffness. Other common symptoms include numbness in the legs and feet, skin discoloration in the affected limbs, slower nail and hair growth, and erectile dysfunction in men. In more severe cases of PAD, pain can be present even when a person isn't exercising, and may range from mildly uncomfortable to completely debilitating.
Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is more common in those who are overweight or obese, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, who smoke, or who have a family history of PAD or related conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, etc. Diabetes and smoking place a person at greatest risk for developing poor blood circulation, although advanced age, over 50, can also increase risk.
If you are experiencing poor blood circulation in the feet and legs caused by PAD, it is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke caused by this condition. If you smoke, quit completely. This will increase the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. Exercising and reducing the saturated fats in your diet. Saturated fats come from fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk, etc., can make a difference in improving blood circulation in feet. It is also important to avoid developing influenza and to carefully control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Your doctor may recommend combining lifestyle changes with a prescription medication regimen to improve blood circulation. The most commonly-used medications for PAD are called statins and work by blocking the amount of enzymes in your body that produce cholesterol. They are known by the brand names Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others.
Heel pain can be due to a variety of reasons. Some of the differential diagnosis for heel pain are heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal fracture, ruptured plantar fascia, Achilles tendonitis, Posterial tibialis tendonitis, Baxter nerve entrapement, sciatica just to name a few. You should take you heel/arch pain seriously and get properly diagnosed in order to avoid further complications. Take action call a podiatrist today. Don't delay your proper diagnosis and treatment of this problem as it may get worst if left untreated. Please feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment at 954-455-9404 or Click here to make an appointment online. Our doctor is very well trained and has experience in treating your heel pain.
Adriana Strimbu, DPM, PA
404 N Federal Hwy
Hallandale, FL 33009
954-455-9404
Hallandale foot and ankle specialist Dr. Adriana Strimbu can treat a variety of foot and ankle problems including diabetic foot care, sports related foot and ankle injuries, heel and arch pain, numbness and swelling of the feet and ankles. She provides treatment for all the foot and ankle problems to the residents of Hallandale, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Aventura, Miami and surrounding areas. Call today 954-455-9404 for an appointment or click here to make an appointment online.
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