Foot Pain

Foot pain is a common musculoskeletal problem, affecting up to 87% of adults at one time or another. At Tri-State Top Foot Specialist in White Plains and Nyack, New York, expert podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Hasan Masood, DPM, has more than a decade of experience diagnosing and treating foot pain caused by bunions, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and more. Dr. Masood takes a conservative treatment approach that encourages the body’s natural healing processes. Call Tri-State Top Foot Specialist today for foot pain treatment, or book your appointment online. 

I regularly have foot pain. Is treatment necessary?

Most people have foot pain occasionally that often improves with rest, ice, or over-the-counter medication. Still, treatment is essential if your symptoms last more than a few days or keep you from routine activities like work or spending time with friends. 

Certain types of foot pain increase your risk of long-term mobility issues, so better to be safe than sorry. 

What causes foot pain?

Your feet have dozens of bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. These tissues work together, supporting the weight of your upper body, but they experience wear-and-tear daily. 

Foot pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Aging
• Standing on your feet for long periods
• Being overweight
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes
• Injury
• Trauma
• Overuse
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sprains and strains
• Nerve problems
• Fractures

It’s possible to prevent most of these issues by inspecting your feet regularly and wearing comfortable shoes offering support and having soft soles. 

How does a podiatrist diagnose foot pain?

Dr. Masood reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, what it feels like, and if certain activities, like going to work, worsen it. 

Next, he completes a podiatry exam, checking your foot for bruising and swelling, testing your range of motion, and gently pressing on your heel, ankle, and sole to identify sensitive areas. 

Some causes of foot pain, like bunions, are visible to the eye. But if Dr. Masood suspects a more serious issue, like a fracture or a ruptured tendon, he orders X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound to look at your bones and surrounding tissues. 

How does a podiatrist treat foot pain?

Treatment depends on the cause of your foot pain and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Masood often recommends a conservative, patient-centered approach, including:

• More comfortable shoes
• Shoes that offer support
• A splint or a cast
• Custom orthotics or shoe inserts
• Physical therapy
• Shockwave therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

If these treatments don’t provide relief, you might be a candidate for foot or ankle surgery. Dr. Masood performs minimally invasive procedures using smaller incisions and smaller surgical instruments than with more invasive surgeries.

Call Tri-State Top Foot Specialist today to explore the various treatment options for foot pain, or book your visit online.