Foot pain is a common concern that can be annoying. It often disrupts mobility and gets in the way of daily activities. Here’s something that might surprise you: nearly 8 out of 10 Americans deal with foot pain at some point in their lives. Think about it: our feet carry us everywhere, absorb the impact of every step, and somehow we expect them to do it all without complaint. When they finally speak up through pain, it’s worth listening.

Whether it’s a sharp ache in the heel or persistent discomfort in the arch, foot pain can significantly limit your ability to work, exercise, or simply enjoy life. For people in New Jersey, addressing these issues is essential to maintaining an active and pain-free lifestyle.

The 5 Most Common Conditions Causing Foot Pain in New Jersey

After years of helping people in New Jersey get back to pain-free walking, we’ve noticed some patterns. Here are the conditions that walk through our doors most frequently:

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue called the plantar fascia, which helps support your foot’s arch and connects the bones, becomes inflamed. This can happen if you put too much pressure on it, stretch it excessively, or overuse it, leading to swelling and discomfort. You’ll often feel this around your heel, especially in the mornings or when making certain movements.

If you have flat feet, a very high arch, are dealing with obesity, or stand for long hours, you might be more prone to this condition. It can also develop from playing sports on hard surfaces, exercising without warming up, or wearing shoes that don’t provide enough support.

Learn More: Why Do I Have Plantar Fasciitis?

Heel Spurs

Sometimes, calcium deposits can develop on the underside of your heel bone, leading to foot discomfort and affecting your natural foot movement. This condition is called a heel spur. While they are commonly linked to plantar fasciitis, they are actually different. Heel spurs can develop gradually over several months and usually need an X-ray for a proper diagnosis.

Not everyone with a heel spur experiences foot pain, but when it occurs, the sensation can feel like a sharp pinch beneath your foot, sometimes happening intermittently. In more serious cases, surgery might be necessary, but most heel spurs can be managed with gentle, non-invasive treatments. These might include stretching exercises, changing your footwear, using orthotic inserts, physical therapy, or wearing night splints.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is the tissue that’s responsible for connecting your heel bone to your calf muscles. When it becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress and overuse, you can develop Achilles tendinitis. It generally produces heel and ankle pain, stiffness or tenderness at the back of your foot, weakness on your legs, or swelling.

Commonly speaking, most of these cases can be addressed with simple treatments under your doctor’s supervision. However, Achilles tendonitis can weaken the tendon, making it more prone to tearing, which would require surgical repair.

Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of your big toe. This can happen when, for some reason, your foot’s bones move out of place and your big toe gets closer to the smaller toes. It usually causes the skin to turn red and sore, and the pain worsens when wearing tight shoes.

Some people are born with bunions, but you can also develop them over time because of certain foot injuries, repetitive stress, constant use of tight shoewear, previous inflammatory conditions, etc.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is pain and inflammation on the ball of the foot, usually caused by intense physical activities, foot problems, being overweight, or wearing tight shoes for long periods. This can lead to burning, sharp, or aching sensations in the area. If your foot pain doesn’t get better after a few days or if you try new shoes, see your doctor. Most cases of metatarsalgia can be treated at home, but if left untreated, it can cause lower back or hip pain.

Treatments for Foot Pain Available in New Jersey

Your feet are remarkably complex structures that deserve to feel comfortable. If you’ve been dealing with persistent foot pain for more than a few days, or if it’s interfering with your daily activities, it’s worth having a conversation with our team of healthcare professionals.

The treatment for foot pain will vary depending on the diagnosis. The treatment for a fracture isn´t the same as the one for Gout. We recommend that you talk with your provider before making assumptions, since misdiagnosis could lead to inadequate care and to worsen damage or at least delay healing.

Schedule a visit for foot pain treatment in New Jersey today by calling or booking a visit online at Genesis Orthopedic and Spine