How Your Arch Is Formed and Why It Might Be Painful

The arch of the foot is critical in dispersing body weight throughout the foot. It also helps a person balance and propel themselves forward when they walk. This important structure made of tendons, bones and ligaments is a combination of three separate arches forming a triangular shape. The transverse arch spans the ball of the foot from side-to-side. The two other arches run from the ball of the foot to the heel: the lateral arch on the outside and the medial arch on the inside of the foot. If you feel pain in your arch it may be due to an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue which supports the arch (plantar fasciitis). Or, you may have flat feet, which can cause your feet to roll excessively inward when you walk (overpronation) and flatten your arches. An abnormally high arch can also stress your ankle and cause pain. Even an inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, which connects the inner area of the foot to a calf muscle, can cause pain in the arches. If your arches are painful, it's wise to call a podiatrist who will be able to properly diagnose and treat the area and discuss treatment options. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.