Foot pain makes it hard to walk or exercise in comfort. Short-term pain may happen after taking off painful shoes or exertion. However, if you have lingering pain, you may have a more chronic issue that Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel should check out. You can benefit from their expertise when you make an appointment at Emerald Coast Podiatry. Under his care, you will have help for your arch pain in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL.

What Causes Arch pain in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL

One of the more common reasons for arch pain is plantar fasciitis. This ligament connects the front of your foot to your heel. Therefore, when it becomes overused, inflamed, or injured, you may suffer from painful arches. You may notice stiffness or pain in the arch or heel, which may worsen in the morning or after standing too long. The tibial tendon, which connects the inner foot to the calf muscle, may cause arch pain after injury or inflammation.

When Should I See a Podiatrist for this Pain?

Dr. Ricciardi can help when you have pain in your foot. Book an appointment with him when you experience sudden and severe pain just from doing your regular activities. For example, normal mobility, such as walking or standing for a short period, should not result in excruciating pain unless there's an underlying problem. You may have recently had a foot injury. 

Pay attention to not being able to bear weight on your foot. The arch may also feel warm. Note any changes in skin color or swelling. It may be harder to wear your normal shoes due to discomfort and compression that causes even more pain.

To help treat the problem, your podiatrist will assess the cause of the injury by doing an examination. He may also need to run an MRI or a CAT scan of the foot to check for tears or neuroma. To ease your arch pain, he may prescribe custom orthotics to support and align your arches. The inserts can correct structural problems, such as flat feet. 

Your doctor can demonstrate strengthening exercises you can do at home. If your foot issue requires more care, he can refer you to a trusted physical therapist. Some foot doctors may also use shockwave therapy or lasers to promote healing in the area. One or a combination of techniques can help ease your condition.

Dr. Ricciardi is your trusted podiatrist at Emerald Coast Podiatry. He has years of experience dealing with patients in similar situations. To relieve your arch pain in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL, call our team at (850) 682-6522 for our Crestview office and (850) 862-4119 for our Fort Walton Beach office.