You get a sharp pain in your heel when you step off a curb. Or you have a burning sensation in the bottom of your foot at the start of your morning exercise routine. There are a variety of reasons you can have a pain in your foot and most of them can be cured easily. A visit to your doctor, instead of just complaining about the pain, will get you back on your healthy feet again.

Why Foot Pain Happens

Your foot is a complex arrangement of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments and it has the unenviable job of supporting your weight all day. Aging, overuse, weight and minor injuries are common causes of foot pain. Most of the following foot problems can be handled in your doctor's office. As with most physical aches and pains, the sooner you see your foot doctor about your issue, the quicker the underlying issue can be resolved.

Arthritis - This shows up commonly in the big toe when an injury to or degeneration of the bone surfaces has occurred. The irritation in the joint causes pain and swelling. Your doctor will recommend diet changes, medication and physical therapy to reduce the inflammation. If you have a severe case of arthritis in your feet, artificial joints can replace the damaged ones relieving the pain and restoring movement.

Hammer toes - This is a progressive problem with the tendons in the toes. Your toes are forced to flex downward which can cause pain and rubbing of the tops of your toes against your shoes. Your doctor can give you an orthotic device that rests under the toes to push them up and straighten out the tendons. Surgery to loosen the tendons is used when the non-invasive approach doesn't produce results.

Plantar fasciitis - Characterized by the burning sensation on the bottom of your foot, this is an irritation of the tissues that cover the muscles in your foot. The irritation causes pain and swelling. This happens to athletes if they haven't warmed up their muscles sufficiently before playing. Some people experience it when they get out of bed in the morning.

An orthotic device placed in the shoe will relieve the tension on the muscles. Physical therapy can slowly stretch the muscles and relieve the pain. Surgery to remove some of the irritated tissue can be helpful in severe cases.

Bone spurs - This is a small growth of bone on your foot near a tendon or ligament. The spur irritates the tissue causing pain and inflammation. They often happen on your heel or the bottom of the foot and can be quite painful. An orthotic device in the shoe can remove pressure from the bone spur. If the spur doesn't go away by itself, you may need surgery to remove the little piece of irritating bone.

Don't agonize over any kind of foot pain when most of them can be treated easily. Your doctor will offer a non-invasive approach for the majority of foot problems. Should you have a stubborn problem, simple surgical procedures will remove the cause and get you back on your feet, without the pain. To learn more, contact a company like The Podiatry Center with any questions you have.