Foot Pain

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Foot Pain
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Introduction

Foot pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide, with a prevalence rate of up to 36%1. It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, from bothering you to causing you to limp. To address foot pain effectively, it’s crucial to understand the cause, the proper diagnosis, suitable treatment options, and when to seek professional help from a podiatrist in Singapore.

What Is Foot Pain?

Foot pain is a broad term that describes discomfort or pain in one or more areas of the foot. This can include the toes, arches, heels, and soles. This pain can present in various forms, such as sharp or stabbing sensations, dull aches, throbbing, tingling, numbness, or burning. Foot pain can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and its impact on daily life can also vary widely.

An infographic showing the common causes of foot pain in Singapore. Straits Podiatry

Common Causes of Foot Pain

Pain at the ball of the foot:

  • Metatarsalgia: a common overuse injury that causes aches at the ball of the foot
  • Morton’s Neuroma: an inflammation of a nerve that causes pain and numbness shooting to the toes
  • Plantar Plate Injury: A toe joint injury that causes pain and retraction of the toe, commonly seen in middle-aged females
  • Stress Fracture: A hairline crack on the metatarsal bones, usually seen in Athletes or long-distance runners

Pain at the arch of the foot:

  • Posterior Tibial Tendonitis: An inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon that causes pain, swelling, and redness at the arch or the ankle. It is a condition that can result in flat foot deformity if it is not treated early.
  • Tibialis Anterior Tendonitis: An inflammation of the tibialis anterior tendon that usually causes pain when pointing the foot up.
  • Midfoot Arthritis: Inflammation and degeneration of the joints in the midfoot, resulting in pain, stiffness, and swelling.
  • Plantar Fascia Strain: An overuse injury of the plantar fascia that causes splitting pain in the arch, typically worse on the first step after rest.

Heel Pain:

  • Plantar Fasciitis: an inflammation of the plantar fascia, causing heel pain, especially during the first steps in the morning.
  • Insertional Achilles Tendonitis: An inflammation at the junction between the Achilles Tendon and the heel bone.
  • Heel Spur: Bony spurs growing on the heel bone as a result of calcium deposits
  • Fat Pad Syndrome: A contusion of the heel fat pad, causing aches or bruised sensation at the heel
  • Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment: A nerve compression affecting the heel that causes pain, burning and numbness of the heel.

Pain at the toes:

  • Bunions: Abnormal bony growths at the big toe joint that can cause pain and discomfort, especially when wearing tight-fitting shoes.
  • Sesamoiditis: Inflammation of the sesamoid bones under the big toe joint, usually as a result of overuse and commonly seen in ballet dancers or sprinters.
  • Turf Toe: An injury when the toe is forcefully bent too far, resulting in bruises and pain.

Podiatrist from Straits Podiatry diagnosing a foot pain using x-ray

Diagnosis

Obtaining the correct diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of foot pain. Your medical practitioner or podiatrist would generally perform:

  • Patient Interview: Listening and understanding your problem and symptoms is crucial in determining possible diagnoses.
  • Physical Examination: To identify tender areas and check the foot’s appearance for possible underlying causes.
  • Imaging: Diagnostic ultrasound, X-rays, or MRI may be necessary to visualize bones and soft tissues, aiding in diagnosing your condition.
  • Blood Tests: You may be referred for these tests to help identify underlying systemic conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment Options for Foot Pain in Singapore

depends on its cause and severity. Generally, the standard treatment options include:

Conservative Management:

  • Lifestyle changes: Reduce activity, switch to lower-impact sports, and wear supportive shoes.
  • Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE): This helps with swelling reduction, especially after an acute injury.
  • Over-the-counter Medications: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or topical creams may help to reduce pain and inflammation. Still, it is recommended to speak to your doctor before taking them.
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises: Improves flexibility and strength of the muscles to reduce stress on tendons and joints.
  • Orthotic devices: Customised foot orthoses or ankle-foot orthoses may be necessary to offload injured tendons or joints and improve pain and functions.
  • Shockwave therapy: A conservative therapy that stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
  • Electromagnetic therapy: Reduces pain and inflammation and increases cell metabolism.

Surgical Intervention:

Surgery is typically only necessary when conservative management does not show any improvement. The common surgical procedures are tendon repair or release, foot deformity correction, or bunionectomy.

Podiatrist discussing treatment of foot pain at Straits Podiatry Singapore.

How Can Podiatry Help with Foot Pain?

At Straits Podiatry, our highly experienced podiatrists are trained to perform necessary assessments to determine your diagnosis. We also have a wide range of non-surgical management methods that can help you alleviate your pain. Our goal is to help you avoid surgery and allow you to walk with comfort.

Do not let foot pain stop you from enjoying your daily activities any longer. Book an appointment with us today.

Do You Have A Question? Ask Us...

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FAQ

Acute foot pain occurs suddenly and is often due to a specific incident or injury. It can result from activities like sports, accidents, or falls.

Chronic foot pain persists over an extended period, often lasting for weeks, months, or even years. This can be due to one leaving an acute injury untreated, causing long-term pain. Chronic foot problems are also often linked to underlying medical conditions, structural abnormalities, abnormal walking patterns, or repetitive strain.

You should seek help as soon as possible if you have:

  • Significant swelling and bruising of the foot
  • Pain that is unbearable to stand or walk
  • Lost the ability to control and movement of your foot
  • Pain that has persisted over a week without any signs of improvement
  • Pus discharging from a wound with surrounding redness and swelling

You should consult a Podiatrist or a foot and ankle specialist if you are experiencing any discomfort with your feet. Seeking help early will not only give you a higher chance of quick recovery but also help prevent pain from turning chronic.

Preventing foot pain requires discipline and a proactive approach to making lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Wear the right shoe: Choosing comfortable, supportive shoes (e.g. sports shoes) that fit well is crucial.
  • Maintain good foot hygiene: Keeping feet clean and changing socks daily can help prevent painful infections.
  • Exercise regularly: Going for long walks or runs can help improve overall health. Performing regular stretching and strengthening exercises can also prevent injuries.
  • Managing underlying conditions: Controlling systemic conditions through prescribed medications is crucial in preventing any painful flare-ups.
  • Seek medical attention early: Seeking help at the first signs of foot discomfort or pain.

If you have suffered a recent injury to the foot, it is best to rest for 2 to 4 weeks to allow recovery. Forcing yourself to continue your activity can risk causing a severe injury or chronic pain. It is also essential to seek medical attention if you are unsure if your injury is minor.

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Straits Podiatry (Buona Vista),
31 Rochester Drive,
#02-01 (Hotel Block),
Singapore 138637

Straits Podiatry (Katong),
i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Rd,
#03-01/02/03/04/28,
Singapore, 428802.

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