5 Treatable Causes of Chronic Foot Pain

Your feet are prone to chronic pain more than other parts of your body because they withstand the pressure of your body weight. Most people experience foot soreness after spending a lot of time standing, walking, or running. However, persistent foot pain can be a sign of an injury or condition. 

Some people are at a higher risk for chronic foot pain than others because of their anatomy. Flat feet and high arches don’t always cause problems, but they can make you more prone to overuse injuries. More controllable factors like tight shoes or high heels can also contribute. 

At Naples Regenerative Institute in Naples, Florida, double board-certified interventional pain management specialist Glenn M. Flanagan, MD, can treat your chronic foot pain using the latest interventions. 

Dr. Flanagan specializes in regenerative medicine that aids and encourages natural tissue healing, including stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. He recommends treatment on a case-by-case basis after examining your painful foot and discussing your lifestyle. 

Chronic foot pain can arise due to overuse injuries, inherited conditions, or underlying health issues. Here are five of the most common (and treatable) causes of chronic foot pain: 

1. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the heel. 

Originating in the band of tissue that stretches across the sole (plantar fascia), plantar fasciitis can develop gradually because of overuse. The plantar fascia becomes tender and inflamed, and the pain usually worsens after periods of inactivity. 

These factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis: 

• The natural shape of your foot
• A sudden increase in activity level
• Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or aren’t supportive
• Walking or running on uneven surfaces
• Having a high body weight

Although plantar fasciitis can be a long-lasting issue, modern therapies can reduce your pain and help the plantar fascia heal. 

2. Arthritis

Several types of arthritis can lead to chronic foot pain and inflammation: 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also called wear-and-tear arthritis because it worsens over time as joints accumulate damage. When the cartilage in your foot withstands OA damage, chronic foot pain can result.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that happens when your immune system causes damage to the joints. It’s especially common in the feet, with over 90% of people with RA experiencing foot and ankle pain.

Gout

Gout, an inflammatory type of arthritis, often affects the joint at the base of the big toe. It develops when too much uric acid builds up in your blood, forming crystals around the joint. Symptoms like pain flare up, but you might not have symptoms between flares. 

Dr. Flanagan works with you to develop a treatment plan for your chronic arthritis-related foot pain. 

3. Tendinitis

Tendinitis happens when tissue connecting muscle to bone (tendons) becomes inflamed, tender, and painful. A common type of foot tendinitis is called Achilles tendinitis, and it affects the tendon connecting your calf muscle to your heel bone. 

Foot tendinitis develops because of repeated stress or overuse of the tendons in your feet, and continued stress can make the issue long-lasting. Treatments can help reduce tendon inflammation to encourage healing. 

4. Stress fractures

Stress fractures are tiny breaks in the bones of your feet that can happen because of overuse. They typically start as bone bruises before small cracks form. You’re at risk for stress fractures if you’re athletic or if you work on your feet all day. 

Stress fractures can cause chronic pain when you repeatedly use the affected foot, as the fracture doesn’t have the opportunity to heal. 

Usually, the first step of treatment is to rest the affected foot. Dr. Flanagan can recommend other therapies based on the fracture’s location and severity. 

5. Morton’s neuroma

A neuroma is a thickening of tissue around a nerve, which can cause serious and long-lasting pain. Morton’s neuroma, a common cause of chronic foot pain, develops around a nerve that connects your toes to the rest of your foot. This causes pain at the ball of the foot that feels similar to having a pebble stuck in your shoe. 

Dr. Flanagan can recommend treatments to ease your discomfort at Naples Regenerative Institute. 

If you have chronic foot pain, don’t hesitate to book a consultation to discuss treatments that can help. Call Naples Regenerative Institute or request an appointment online today.