The bottom of your foot consists of three separate arch segments, two that run along the length of the foot and one that transverses the width. In addition to these components, the arch is made up of many other connective tissues and muscles so there is a wide variety of potential causes of arch pain. Your foot doctor can pinpoint the cause and get it properly treated with custom orthotic devices.
Some of the many causes of arch pain include the following:
- Repetitive stress injury—The repetitive pounding your feet and ankles undergo from walking on hard surfaces all day for work, or from playing sports that involve a lot of running and jumping, can cause a variety of foot and ankle problems. These include small stress fractures that can be hard to pinpoint without the help of your foot doctor.
- Plantar fasciitis—This common arch problem is caused by tiny tears and stretching in the plantar fascia which is the wide band of tissue that forms your arch. The pain often includes the heel area, with intermittent severe heel discomfort.
- Pronation problems—When your arches are not properly supported it affects the way your foot rolls when you walk, often causing severe arch pain. See your foot doctor to get measured for custom orthotic arch supports to correct the problem. Fixing pronation problems will also help alleviate knee, hip, and back pain.
Since the precise cause of arch pain can be difficult to trace, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and the best course of treatment. At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists, Dr. Melissa Robitaille and Dr. Todd Newsom treat virtually all types of foot and ankle disorders including bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and heel pain. Equipped with leading-edge technologies such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and laser surgery for toenail fungus, we provide specialized, compassionate service for patients in the Pooler, Georgia area of Chatham County. For any pain and discomfort you are experiencing with your feet and ankles, contact us today at (912) 988-3323.
