My Aching Foot: Foot Pain Causes and Treatments
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How many steps do you think you take per year? Would you guess that number reaches more than one million?
You’re probably more familiar with the expression “my aching back,” but plenty of us experience foot pain at some point (we do, after all, put our feet through quite the wear and tear). Whether the pain is from improper footwear, injury, arthritis or other conditions, Rebound wants to provide you with the resources you need to make the best decisions regarding the health of your feet.
In honor of Foot Health Awareness Month in April, Dr. C. Luke Rust will be holding a talk about common foot-related conditions Wednesday, April 30, from 6-8 p.m. The event will be held at Rebound’s Health Education Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
At the event, Dr. Rust will expound upon the many issues we encounter with our feet, including causes and treatment options for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, arthritis and more.
While some less severe foot-related conditions may be treated with nonsurgical methods such as medication, exercise, rest or physical therapy, some more severe conditions require surgical treatments. Rebound offers a variety of personalized treatment plans, which Dr. Rust will discuss. Following the talk, Dr. Rust will also be available to answer questions you may have.
Prep for the talk
Here are some fast facts about common conditions:
- Approximately two million people are treated for plantar fasciitis each year.
- This condition causes pain at the bottom of the heel.
- This condition when the band of tissues (called the plantar fascia) supporting the arch of your foot absorbs too much stress/strain and becomes inflamed.
- The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body.
- This condition causes pain along the back of the leg (near the heel).
- This condition typically occurs from repetitive stress/overuse, like overexerting oneself or increasing the intensity/duration of exercise.
- There are three types of foot/ankle arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.
- These conditions may cause pain or tenderness, stiffness, decreased mobility, swelling or difficulty walking.
- The three joints of the hindfoot, the midfoot and the great toe are most commonly affected by arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis typically occurs because of overuse, trauma or degeneration (age).
- Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system produces chemical substances that attack and destroy joints/tissues.
- Post-traumatic arthritis may occur after an injury to a bone/joint.
Dr. Rust is a Rebound orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in problems of the foot and ankle. With extensive experience in treating a wide range of conditions including acute and chronic results of sports injuries, arthritis, deformities and trauma in adults and children, he believes in a personalized approach to each patient. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
To register for the event, click here. Seating is limited, so be sure to register as quickly as possible. We hope to see you there!
If you are experiencing symptoms related to the common foot conditions above, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of our skilled foot/ankle specialists.