Does this sound like you? Your feet hurt almost all the time, activity makes things worse, and you want to get to the bottom of it all. At 
Providence Foot Health Center in Washington D.C., your podiatrist, Dr. James Mintzer, provides excellent podiatric care. His careful hands-on examinations, gait analysis, and modern imaging provide treatment options which really work—read on to find out more!
Common sources of foot pain
Injury, structural problems, overuse, and diseases such as diabetes often account for many cases of foot pain. Other factors which contribute to foot and ankle discomfort are age, obesity, unsupportive footwear, and high heels.
If you're experiencing consistent foot pain, contact your podiatrist in Washington D.C. for a consultation. He may uncover a podiatric medical problem, such as:
- Bunion: a bulging deformity of the big toe joint
- Plantar fasciitis: an inflammatory condition of the connective tissue crossing the bottom of the foot (with associated heel spurs)
- Corns and calluses: overgrowths of skin on the toes and other areas of the foot
- Ingrown toenail: an intrusion of the nail into the surrounding skin
- Hammertoes: deformed toe joints
- Metatarsalgia: an inflammation of the ball of the foot
- Morton's neuroma: a benign growth affecting the third and fourth toes of either foot
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Sprains and strains (ankle sprains are the most frequent)
- Stress fractures from overuse
- Flat feet (fallen arches)
Treatments for your foot pain
A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mintzer will uncover the reasons for your foot pain and give you the tools that you need to stay balanced, pain-free, and active. You can reduce your symptoms of pain, redness, swelling, and more with at-home interventions, such as:
- Quality footwear with low heels
- Customized shoe orthotics (inserts)
- Splints, particularly for plantar fasciitis
- Rest
- Elevation of your feet
- Ice or heat as your podiatrist advises
- In-office ingrown toenail removal (usually a partial removal)
- In-office removal of corns and calluses (at-home removal is never recommended particularly for diabetics and other infection-prone patients)
- Over the counter analgesics
- Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation
- Physical therapy, including stretching exercises
Better feet, better you
That's our aim here at Providence Foot Health Center. Call today for your appointment: (202) 269-4062.
The human foot and ankle contain 33 joints, 26 bones and over 100 tendons, ligaments and muscles. While all of these parts of the foot should work together, there are certain conditions, injuries and diseases that can affect the health and functioning of your foot or ankle. There are many instances in which you should turn to a podiatrist for individualized care that you can trust time and time again.- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Heel pain
- Ankle sprains and fractures
- Foot fractures
- Sports-related injuries
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Corns and calluses
- Diabetic foot care
- Fungal infections
- Ingrown toenails
- Heel spurs
An unexpected fall or twist can result in an injury of the foot or ankle, such as a sprain or strain. Immediate first aid can help prevent complications, reduce pain and
improve recovery.
Rest, ice, compression and elevation--commonly referred to as R.I.C.E.--is the first and best treatment for minor injuries. The following tips can aid in the early treatment of common foot and ankle injuries to help reduce swelling and control the inflammatory process during the initial phase of injury.
Rest: Whether you have a strain or a sprain, rest from any physical activity is essential to protecting your injured ligaments, tendons or muscles from further damage while your body starts the repair process. Avoid putting weight on the injured foot or ankle as much as possible. In some cases, complete immobilization may be required.
Ice: Gently ice your foot or ankle with ice wrapped in a towel in a 20-minute-on, 40-minute-off cycle for the first few days post-injury. Ice is excellent at reducing inflammation and pain.
Compression: Applying some type of compressive wrap or bandage to an injured area can greatly reduce the amount of initial swelling.
Elevation: Prop your foot up while lying down or sitting so that it is higher than or equal to the level of the heart.
After a few days of R.I.C.E., many acute injuries will begin to heal. If pain or swelling does not subside after a few days, or if you are unsure of the severity of your injury, make an appointment with your podiatrist. A skilled podiatrist can properly diagnose your injury and recommend the best course of treatment.
what causes heel pain?Understanding Heel Pain with Help from Your Podiatrist
- Wear shoes that fit well
- Wear proper shoes for each activity
- Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles
- Prepare properly before exercising by stretching and warming up
- Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities
- Don’t underestimate your body’s need for rest and good nutrition
- Lose excess weight
Many people think corns and calluses are the same thing, but there are differences. A corn is smaller than a callus, and has a hard center which is surrounded by inflamed tissue. Unlike calluses, corns can be painful and make it difficult to wear shoes. The good news is, your podiatrist can help get rid of corns and get you back
on your feet.
Corns typically develop to protect your feet and toes from friction and pressure. They can be found in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing areas including between your toes, and on the tops and sides of your toes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs and symptoms of a corn include:
- A thick, rough area of skin
- A hardened, raised bump
- Tenderness or pain under the skin
Since corns are caused by friction and pressure, you can do a lot to prevent corn development. Remember to:
- Wear shoes with plenty of room for your toes
- Use padding or bandages in your shoes
- Soak your feet in warm water to soften corns
- After soaking, rub the corn with a pumice stone to remove hardened skin
- Moisturize your feet every day to keep your skin soft
If you have diabetes and you develop a corn or other foot problem, you need the help of an expert, your podiatrist. Self-treating foot issues when you are diabetic can lead to injuries that don’t heal and could get worse, resulting in a serious infection.
Fortunately, your podiatrist can recommend several treatment options to get rid of corns, including:
- Trimming away excess skin to reduce friction
- Corn-removing medication containing salicylic acid
- Custom-fit inserts or orthotics
- Surgery if the corn is caused from friction due to poor bone alignment
You don’t have to deal with painful corns by yourself. Get some relief from the pain by visiting your podiatrist. Your feet are important, so seek out the best care possible to protect your feet.
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