Possible Causes Behind Your Foot Pain in Chicago
Pain in some parts of the musculoskeletal system is the cause of frequent visits to the pharmacy office. Partly because of the large number of people who go out for a run at this time, and partly because the pharmacy is a very accessible establishment for the population, we are seeing more and more the query what can I take for pain in the sole of the foot? Although we are not doctors or physical therapists, we have some training in orthopedics and can help you resolve pain until you consult a professional with more specific knowledge. There are even pharmacies that have an orthopedic service and can help to better diagnose and treat the cause of pain in the sole of the foot, a fundamental action for a good pain cure.
Common causes of pain in the sole of the foot
Some common causes of pain in the sole of the foot, among several others, maybe:
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the fascia, which is a thick band of tissue found on the sole of the foot connecting the heel to the toes. It can present as a sharp, stabbing pain in the arch or heel of the foot, which appears earlier in the day before starting an activity or when changing position. It usually starts after exercise, but not during the movement itself. It is very common in runners, overweight people, and people who wear inappropriate footwear.
Calcaneal spur
It is a spike-shaped growth of bone that appears on the front face of the calcaneus bone, the bone that is found in the lower part of the heel. It is not always painful, so many people do not notice it until they have an X-ray. When the heel spur causes pain, the sensation is sharp and intense, as if you stepped on a pebble when walking.
Metatarsalgia
It is the inflammation of the metatarsals, that is, of some or all of the long bones that are in the front part of the foot and reach the base of the toes. They are one of the support points of the foot, along with the heel, especially when propelling ourselves when walking. Inflammation in this area causes severe, continuous, intense pain in the sole of the foot just below the toes, which is worse when standing, running or walking. There may also be a sensation of stone in the shoe in this area, numbness, or tingling in the toes.
Tendinopathies
Tendons are the tissues in charge of inserting muscles into bones. There are several tendons in our foot, and if they become inflamed due to excessive exercise, poor footing, poor footwear, injuries, etc., foot pain may appear, in different areas depending on the affected tendon.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by wear and tear on the joints. It will require a diagnosis to establish adequate treatment, which may be pharmacological or of another nature.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks joint tissue instead of attacking viruses, bacteria, and other unwanted visitors. Controlling the disease requires the use of appropriate medication to keep the immune system in check.
Drop
Gout is a disease caused by the deposit of uric acid crystals in the tissues. Uric acid is a product that is produced by the normal metabolism of substances called purines, but when blood levels increase for different reasons, uric acid crystallites appear in the joints, especially at the base of the big toe, causing much pain. Pain is treated with anti-inflammatories and medications to treat the gout attack and hyperuricemia is treated with medication and diet so that the gout attack does not recur.
What can I do if the sole of my foot hurts?
If pain and inflammation appear on the sole of your foot and you are not sure why it has appeared, you can:
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers – Oral ibuprofen is an excellent anti-inflammatory. The topical route can also help contain inflammation and pain, both from medication and from massage. There are options like diclofenac, etofenamate, arnica, salicylates, and several others.
- Use ice to calm inflammation, 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Do not apply the cold directly on the skin, but using a cloth between the ice and the skin. You will thus avoid cold burns. You can use the reusable hot/cold gel bags, which already come with their cloth bag.
- Give the painful area rest, if possible. In addition to avoiding high-impact exercises such as running or walking several km, you can use gel insoles that absorb the impact that occurs on the foot when walking. Depending on the pain you present, the design of the template may vary.
- Wear good shoes: while the discomfort lasts, avoid heels, very worn shoes, and any shoes that you see that make your pain sensation worse.
- Perform low-impact exercises in the foot area, such as swimming.
If you apply these measures and the pain in the sole of the foot lasts more than a week, we recommend that you look for a foot professional, be it a pharmacy with orthopedics, a physiotherapist, or a family doctor, since in a standard pharmacy it is not possible. we can diagnose the source of the problem. We can give you pain relievers and advice to improve until you consult a professional, but each of the pathologies that we mentioned before has differences in its treatment, and it is important to start the full treatment as soon as possible.
If you have questions or would like to meet with one of our doctors, please contact our chiropractors in Chicago to get the appropriate treatment for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
