What might be causing my foot pain in Centreville, VA?
Foot pain isn’t anything to be taken lightly. After all, your feet literally carry you everywhere, so get them checked out. Your foot pain might be caused by:
- Tendonitis
- Foot fractures or broken toes
- Strains and sprains
- Bunions
- Arthritis
How is the cause of my foot pain diagnosed?
Dr. Hurst has seen — and treated — just about every foot, toe, and ankle problem you can imagine. His extensive experience and education equip him with the knowledge he needs to thoroughly diagnose your condition. He’ll talk with you about your past medical history. You’ll need to tell him:
- What makes your food pain worse
- What makes it better
- How long it lasts
Once Dr. Hurst gathers background information from you, he’ll check out your feet thoroughly. During your exam, Dr. Hurst will evaluate your foot, ankle, and toe strength, as well as neurological responses. If you have any tender areas, let him know.
Dr. Hurst will likely want some X-rays of your feet, which can be done right in his office. This will further help him see what’s really going on. Usually you can get a diagnosis the same day.
If he can’t get a clear image, or needs to look into something further, Dr. Hurst might order an MRI or CT scan. These types of images allow him to get a clearer picture of soft tissues, like tendons and ligaments. You’ll have to come back for a follow-up in these cases, after Dr. Hurst gets to view your new images.
Which treatment options are available for foot pain?
It depends on the cause of your foot pain. If you have plantar fasciitis, for instance, you may simply need custom orthotics to help improve your pain. Or, if you have a fracture or ruptured tendon, you might need surgery. Since Dr. Hurst is a podiatric surgeon, he’ll be the one performing your foot surgery — if needed — so you’ll be with the same trusted doctor from beginning to end.
Regardless of the cause of your foot pain, Dr. Hurst will likely give you some “homework” to do. You’ll learn stretching and strengthening techniques for your specific condition, as well as what to do when you have a pain flare-up.