Leg and Foot Pain
What is foot and leg pain?
Pain in the feet or legs is common. It can be caused by a number of different conditions. The most common conditions that cause pain in the feet and/or legs are the following:
- Sciatica
- Neuropathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis
Some of these conditions are commonly short-lived, while others are chronic.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a common pain condition marked by pain, numbness and/or tingling, beginning in the buttock and extending down the leg, all the way to the foot and toes.
The vast majority of acute cases of sciatica resolve on their own within a few weeks to months. Sometimes, it continues and becomes chronic. It’s considered chronic when lasting longer than six months.
Sciatica is the result of inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts at the spinal cord in the low back, extends through the piriformis muscle in the buttock, and branches down the back of the leg, and into the foot.
Common Treatments for Sciatica include:
- Spinal injections: Epidural steroid injections, Nerve blocks, Rhizotomy and/or Spinal Cord Stimulator
- Physical therapies: stretching and strengthening exercises, mild aerobic exercises
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. It is due to inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a muscle-like connective tissue at the bottom of the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is associated with overuse, such as with runners, or in cases of obesity.
Treatments are anti-inflammatory medications, heel stretches, supportive footwear, and weight loss.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common pain condition marked by inflammation of the joints. The inflammation causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. Arthritis can occur in any joint of the body.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is damage to nerves and causes pain, numbness and/or tingling.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the peripheral nerves. This usually starts in the hands or feet as numbness or tingling. Over time, these symptoms can progress to pain. Patients often describe the pain as a burning type of pain.
Diabetic Neuropathy is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the hands or feet. Nerves can be damaged from high blood sugar levels.
Other causes can be kidney disease, HIV, or alcohol dependence. It can also occur for unknown reasons. In the latter case, it is called ‘idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.’
If the cause of neuropathy is diabetes, therapy involves aggressive treatment of diabetes. In such cases, treatment consists of medications to control glucose, dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss.
Tendonitis
One of the first warning signs you have an inflamed Achilles tendon is pain in your lower calf, near the back of your heel. It’s a common injury that makes the tendon swell, stretch, or tear. You can get it from overworking the calf muscle or climbing the stairs.
