Foot pain

Foot pain is a common problem, affecting 13%-36% of people. Although most cases are mild, symptoms that continue for weeks or more could indicate an underlying health problem like poor circulation. At Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, the vascular surgeons and wound care specialists provide high-quality care for foot pain. They identify the underlying cause and recommend personalized treatment. Call the office in McAllen or Rio Grande City, Texas, to schedule foot pain treatment, or book your appointment online today.

What is foot pain?

Foot pain is a blanket term for discomfort, aching, or cramping that affects any part of your foot. Often, it’s caused by trauma or general wear-and-tear. It can also point to health problems like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes.

If you regularly experience foot pain that affects your mobility or quality of life, contact Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, immediately.

What kinds of circulatory problems cause foot pain?

The Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, team treats foot pain caused by circulatory problems, including:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Vein problems/Venous disease
• Diabetes
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Varicose veins
• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)

Sometimes, congestive heart failure causes foot pain. If your heart doesn’t function well, fluid can build up in your legs and feet, causing heaviness and discomfort.

How is foot pain diagnosed?

Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, what it feels like, and whether activities like walking or exercising make it worse.

Tell your provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take prescription medication. Also, let them know if you’ve been diagnosed with a health problem like diabetes or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Next, your provider examines your feet, checking for skin changes like swelling and discoloration. They gently press on your foot to identify sensitive spots and assess your muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Since circulatory problems don’t always exhibit obvious symptoms, your provider also orders diagnostic tests. Blood work and urinalysis can confirm health problems like high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and diabetes. A vascular ultrasound can determine how well blood flows to your feet and toes.

How is foot pain treated?

The Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, team takes an integrative, minimally invasive approach to treating foot pain. They could suggest:

• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Wearing prescription footwear (for example, diabetic shoes)
• Custom orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to pad and support your feet
• Prescription blood pressure or cholesterol medication
• Prescription medication to prevent blood clots
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
• Wearing compression stockings to boost circulation in your legs and feet
• Dressing and cleaning wounds if you have diabetic or venous ulcers
• Quitting smoking
• Exercising regularly to increase circulation

Conservative treatments often provide significant relief. However, if your pain is caused by a broken bone or damaged blood vessels, surgery might be needed to make repairs.

Call the nearest Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, office to schedule foot pain treatment, or book your appointment online today.