If you experience foot pain which is not caused by a foot condition or injury, it’s probably due to a nerve or vascular problem. At his private practice in Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona, Dr. Kirk Minkus, MD determines the cause of your foot pain and develops a personalized treatment plan which targets the issue, offers pain relief, and restores full mobility and function. Dr. Minkus’s radiology expertise ensures he can offer exceptional care for chronic diseases and a variety of minimally-invasive procedures. If you experience foot pain in Mesa or Gilbert, AZ, schedule a consultation by calling the office or booking online.
What causes foot pain?
Foot pain is linked to an extensive range of degenerative conditions, structural issues, and injuries. However, most people overlook the two main conditions that lead to foot pain, i.e., vascular disease and diabetes. If these conditions are not treated early, one is at risk of developing severe complications, such as foot infections and ulcers.
How is diabetes associated with foot pain?
High blood sugar levels damage nerves throughout one’s body, but the issue develops first in one’s feet. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects about half of all people diagnosed with high blood sugar. This condition causes foot pain, where some patients describe the pain as a burning or sharp sensation. Sometimes, the pain is so severe that one cannot touch their feet with socks. One may also experience some tingling or leg pain.
What vascular issues cause foot pain?
Issues with your arteries or leg veins may cause foot pain:
Artery Issues
The main artery issue causing foot pain is a peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This condition typically develops when fatty plaque builds up, thus blocking blood flow in your artery. The hindered circulation affects the tissues and nerves in the foot and lower leg, thus causing foot pain. In most scenarios, one feels the pain on the top of their foot, which persists while resting and worsens once you start walking.
Vein Issues
Chronic venous insufficiency results once damaged valves in the veins allow blood to flow down the leg instead of up to one’s heart. Therefore, blood accumulates inside the vein, causing hypertension and varicose veins, accompanied by pain and swelling in the lower leg and foot.
How to Treat Foot Pain
If diabetes is responsible for one’s foot pain, the internal medicine specialists at Kirk Minkus, MD, offers progressive diabetes management. They take a holistic approach to patient care, incorporating diabetes education, blood-sugar monitoring, nutritional advice, and prescription medicines to maintain blood sugar at a normal range.
Dr. Minkus utilizes his extensive experience in minimally-invasive interventional radiology treatments to address PAD and venous diseases. The available treatment options include sclerotherapy, laser atherectomy, stent placement, phlebectomy, balloon angioplasty, mechanical atherectomy, VenaSeal glue ablation, and endovenous laser ablation. All these treatments are offered in-house using cutting-edge technology and equipment.
That said, seeking treatment early for your foot pain is essential. If nerve damage or impaired circulation aren’t treated, painful ulcers that are difficult to heal may develop on one’s feet. Often these ulcers result in complications such as bone and skin infections. Do not let debilitating foot pain affect your overall health; call Kirk Minkus, MD, or go online to schedule an appointment.