Causes and Treatments for Chronic Leg and Foot Pain
If you regularly experience aching, throbbing, or burning pain in your legs and feet, you're not alone. An estimated 10-30% of adults deal with persistent foot pain. While occasional sore feet are normal, ongoing discomfort can greatly impact your mobility and quality of life.
Underlying issues like peripheral artery disease (PAD), arthritis, nerve damage, and diabetes are common causes of chronic leg and foot discomfort. Understanding the root of your pain is key to finding the right treatment.
Common Causes of Chronic Leg and Foot Pain
Several conditions can contribute to constant aches and pains below the knee. Common culprits include:
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD causes narrowing of blood vessels reducing circulation to the legs and feet. Telltale symptoms include cramping, fatigue, and pain in the calves or buttocks during activity that goes away with rest. PAD pain often recurs when walking or moving.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis commonly affect joints in the feet. Pain, stiffness, and swelling may accompany other arthritic symptoms like warmth and redness around joints. The base of the big toe is a frequent arthritis trouble spot.
Nerve Damage
Neuropathy from diabetes, chemotherapy, or traumatic nerve injury can manifest as tingling, burning, or shooting electrical pain in the feet or legs. Numbness may also occur. Neuropathy pain tends to be worse at night.
Diabetes
High blood sugar associated with diabetes can damage nerves leading to diabetic neuropathy pain in the feet. Poor circulation and foot ulcers related to diabetes can also cause discomfort. High or low glucose levels may influence pain.
Achilles Tendinitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon from overuse causes stiffness and pain above the heel, especially with walking or running. Pain near the back of the ankle that worsens when pushing off is typical.
Flat Feet
Fallen arches strain feet and legs leading to arch pain, heel pain, knee pain, shin splints, and other problems. Custom orthotics provide arch support to alleviate discomfort associated with flat feet.
Bunions
A bony bump that forms on the base joint of the big toe can become swollen and tender. Bunions worsen with shoe friction and pressure. Pain or numbness in the big toe may radiate into the feet.
Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament running along the bottom of the foot causes stabbing heel and arch pain. Typical with overuse, plantar fasciitis pain usually worsens taking the first morning steps.
Warning Signs to See a Doctor
Severe, persistent, or worsening foot pain should prompt a visit to the doctor. Seek medical care if you experience:
Burning, Tingling, or Numbness
Neuropathic sensations could signify nerve damage requiring evaluation, especially if accompanying numbness. Diabetes is a common cause.
Night Pain
Waking up because your feet hurt or have a shooting, “pins and needles” feeling can indicate nerve issues or circulation problems needing assessment.
Pain at Rest
Most foot pain is activity-related, so discomfort while at rest could point to vascular or neurological disease. PAD commonly causes pain while sitting.
Discolored Feet
Skin color changes like red-blue coloring or paleness may reflect reduced blood flow. See a doctor to check for PAD or diabetes complications.
Non-Healing Sores
Persistent ulcers or wounds on the feet, especially common with diabetes, require medical care to prevent infection and treat the underlying cause.
Sudden Swelling
Rapid foot or ankle swelling can signal a blood clot needing urgent evaluation. Look for painful, warm, red skin and visible surface veins.
Diagnosing the Cause of Leg and Foot Pain
To pinpoint why you have chronic lower limb pain, the doctor will:
Take a Medical History
Information about your pain symptoms, medical conditions, family history, and lifestyle provide clues to the origin of discomfort.
Conduct a Physical Exam
Examining your feet and legs for signs of poor circulation, nerve damage, structural abnormalities, swelling, weakness, or changes in sensation are key diagnostic steps.
Order Imaging or Lab Tests
Diagnostic testing like x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, nerve conduction studies, ultrasounds, and bloodwork confirm issues like arthritis and diabetes.
Assess Your Walking and Movement
Evaluating your gait helps identify problems related to pain with walking caused by PAD, arthritis, flat feet, and other conditions.
Once the underlying cause is found, customized treatment can provide symptom relief.
Treatments to Alleviate Leg and Foot Discomfort
Treatment targets the specific source of pain, but may involve:
Lifestyle Changes
Excess weight, high blood sugar, or poor circulation from smoking put stress on feet. Your doctor may advise diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and other lifestyle changes.
Medications
Drugs that improve circulation, regulate neuropathy pain, decrease arthritis inflammation, or control blood sugar often minimize uncomfortable symptoms.
Therapy
Options like pain relieving orthotics, physical therapy to improve mobility, or talk therapy to manage chronic pain may provide benefit.
Surgery
Procedures to widen narrowed arteries, straighten toes, fuse damaged joints, remove bunions, or address damaging structural foot abnormalities may be warranted.
Integrative Approaches
Alternative options like acupuncture, massage, and gentle yoga can complement other treatments to soothe discomfort.
Successfully managing persisting leg and foot pain hinges on identifying the true underlying cause and pursuing appropriate targeted treatment.
When to See a Foot and Ankle Specialist
A podiatrist, also called a foot and ankle specialist, can provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for chronic pain originating in the lower limbs. Seek a specialist if:
Discomfort Persists Despite Treatment
If initial treatment provided by your primary doctor doesn't relieve discomfort, a specialist's expertise becomes critical.
You Have Risk Factors
People with diabetes, poor circulation, arthritis and other risks need proactive foot care to prevent complications.
You Need Custom Orthotics or Bracing
For issues like flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or neuropathy, a specialist can provide custom orthotic devices or bracing.
Surgery May be Needed
Specialized foot and ankle surgeons perform procedures like bunion removal, hammertoe correction, ankle replacement, and arterial bypass.
Amputation is Discussed
Poorly controlled diabetes can necessitate partial foot or toe removal, though specialists exhaust all other options first.
Don't live with constant foot discomfort. Seeking appropriate treatment can help your feet feel good again.
FAQs
What are some common causes of chronic foot pain?
Peripheral artery disease, arthritis, nerve damage, diabetes, Achilles tendinitis, flat feet, bunions, and plantar fasciitis often cause ongoing foot discomfort.
When should I see a doctor for foot pain?
See a doctor if you have burning, tingling, pain at rest, non-healing sores, or sudden swelling which could indicate a serious condition.
How is the cause of chronic foot pain diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose the cause of foot pain from medical history, physical exam, imaging tests, assessment of walking, and lab work.
What treatments can help chronic foot pain?
Treatment depends on the cause but may include lifestyle changes, medications, orthotics, physical therapy, surgery, or integrative approaches.
When should I see a foot specialist for pain?
See a podiatrist or foot/ankle surgeon if pain persists, you need custom bracing, have diabetes risks, or surgery may be warranted.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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