Foot Pain in Plymouth: 7 Signs It’s Time to See a Podiatrist

A sore foot after a particularly long day isn't unusual.

But what about pain that keeps coming back? Or that annoying heel pain you've had for three months and keep telling yourself will be better by next week?

Our feet are remarkably good at putting up with what we throw at them. Unfortunately, we're also remarkably good at ignoring them until something really hurts.

At Derriford Therapies in Plymouth, we regularly meet patients who say:

"I probably should have come in sooner."

So, when is foot pain something you can monitor at home, and when is it time to see a podiatrist?

Here are seven signs your feet could do with some professional attention.

1. Your foot pain keeps coming back

Perhaps your foot feels better after a quiet weekend, only for the pain to return as soon as you're back to normal activities.

Recurring pain deserves attention.

Pain is your body's way of telling you that something isn't quite right. While rest may temporarily settle your symptoms, it doesn't necessarily deal with the reason they started.

Repeated foot pain can have many possible causes, including:

• Changes in how your foot is moving

• Unsuitable or worn footwear

• Increased activity

• Pressure on a particular part of the foot

• Joint problems

• Muscle or tendon problems

• Heel pain, including plantar fasciitis

Rather than getting stuck in a cycle of pain, rest, improvement, pain again, a podiatry assessment can help identify what may be causing the problem.

2. Your first steps in the morning are painful

Do your heels feel reasonably comfortable in bed, only to complain loudly the moment they touch the floor?

Pain during those first few steps of the morning can be associated with plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain.

The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue running underneath the foot from the heel towards the toes.

When it becomes irritated, you may experience pain around the heel or underneath the foot.

The discomfort can sometimes ease after you've been moving for a while. This can make it tempting to ignore.

Then you sit down.

You stand up again.

And there it is.

If your heel pain keeps returning, particularly after periods of rest, it's worth having it assessed rather than waiting months and hoping it disappears.

3. Foot pain is changing the way you walk

This is an important one.

When something hurts, your body naturally tries to avoid putting pressure on it.

You might start:

• Limping

• Walking on the outside of your foot

• Taking shorter steps

• Putting more weight through your other leg

• Avoiding certain movements

Sometimes you won't even realise you're doing it.

The problem is that changing the way you walk can place different stresses on other parts of your body.

Your ankles, knees, legs or hips may start doing extra work because you're trying to protect the painful area.

If you're walking differently because of foot pain, don't simply learn to live with the limp.

Find out what's causing it.

4. Foot pain is stopping you doing things you enjoy

This can happen very gradually.

Maybe you stop taking the longer route when walking the dog.

Perhaps you avoid a day out because you know your feet will hurt.

You might give up an exercise class, shorten your walks or find yourself looking for somewhere to sit down whenever you're out.

It can be easy to think:

"It's only foot pain."

But when foot pain starts affecting your mobility, exercise, work or social life, it can have a much bigger impact on your overall well-being.

Comfortable movement matters.

If your feet are deciding what you can and can't do, it's time to give them some attention.

5. You've tried new shoes and insoles, but nothing has worked

A new pair of shoes can sometimes make a big difference.

So can the right insole.

But if you've reached the stage where your cupboard contains enough abandoned insoles to open a very small shoe shop, it may be worth changing tactics.

The difficulty with treating foot pain yourself is that different problems can cause similar symptoms.

Heel pain doesn't automatically mean plantar fasciitis.

Pain in the ball of your foot doesn't always have the same cause.

And not everyone with foot pain needs orthotics.

At Derriford Therapies, we assess your feet before recommending treatment.

Sometimes the answer may involve footwear changes. Sometimes an orthotic may be appropriate. Other times, a completely different treatment may make more sense.

The important thing is understanding what you're actually trying to treat.

6. You have a painful corn, callus or area of hard skin

Hard skin isn't always just a cosmetic issue.

Sometimes it develops because a particular area of your foot is experiencing repeated pressure or friction.

That can lead to painful calluses or corns.

A corn is a small, concentrated area of hard skin that can press into the foot and become surprisingly uncomfortable.

It may feel as though you're walking with a tiny stone in your shoe.

Please don't be tempted to cut painful corns or hard skin away yourself with a blade.

A podiatrist can safely treat the problem and, importantly, look at why the pressure is developing in that area.

That might involve discussing footwear, padding, insoles or other ways of reducing pressure.

7. Your foot problem simply isn't getting better

You don't need to wait until you're barely able to walk before seeing a podiatrist.

If you've given a minor problem a reasonable amount of time and it isn't improving – or it's getting worse – having it assessed can save you weeks or months of frustration.

This is particularly important if pain is:

• Becoming more frequent

• Becoming more severe

• Affecting your sleep

• Making walking difficult

• Associated with increasing swelling

• Affecting your normal daily activities

Sometimes people delay making an appointment because they're worried they'll be told something terrible.

Often, the opposite happens.

Understanding what's going on can be reassuring and gives you a sensible plan for what to do next.

What actually happens at a podiatry appointment?

If you've never visited a podiatrist before, you might imagine you'll sit down, take your socks off and immediately be presented with an alarming collection of instruments.

Don't worry.

A good podiatry appointment starts with talking and assessing.

At Derriford Therapies, we'll want to understand your symptoms.

We may ask questions such as:

• Where does it hurt?

• When did the pain start?

• What makes it better or worse?

• What activities do you regularly do?

• What footwear do you normally wear?

• Have you tried anything already?

Depending on your problem, we can then assess your feet and lower limbs and discuss what we find.

Most importantly, we'll explain things in plain English.

Do I need orthotics for foot pain?

Maybe – but certainly not everyone does.

Orthotics are insoles designed to alter pressure or provide support within your footwear.

They can be useful for some foot and lower-limb problems, but they aren't a universal answer to foot pain.

Depending on what's causing your symptoms, your treatment plan might include footwear advice, exercises, changes to activity, treatment of corns or hard skin, orthotics or another suitable option.

Our aim isn't to sell you a particular treatment.

It's to help you understand what's causing your discomfort and decide what is most appropriate for your feet.

When should foot pain be treated urgently?

Most everyday foot problems don't require emergency treatment, but there are times when you shouldn't wait for a routine appointment.

Seek appropriate urgent medical advice if you experience symptoms such as:

• Sudden or severe foot pain

• Significant swelling after an injury

• A foot that looks unusually deformed following an injury

• An inability to put weight through the foot

• A foot that suddenly changes colour or becomes unusually cold

• Significant redness, heat or swelling, particularly if you feel unwell

• An open wound or signs of infection

If you're unsure about a sudden or worrying change, seek appropriate medical advice rather than trying to diagnose it yourself.

How Derriford Therapies can help with foot pain in Plymouth

At Derriford Therapies in Plymouth, our friendly, HCPC-registered podiatrists treat feet with the same care and attention you'd expect for any other part of your health.

We'll listen to what's been happening, assess your feet and explain your options.

Depending on your individual needs, we can help with problems including heel pain, plantar fasciitis, corns, calluses, bunions, painful nails and other causes of foot discomfort.

Our clinic has ground-floor access, with a disabled access ramp to the left of the shop parade. There is also convenient parking nearby, making appointments easier if walking is already uncomfortable.

And if your problem needs a little more time, extended appointments are available for more complex cases.

Your feet shouldn't decide how far you can go

Foot pain has a sneaky habit of becoming part of everyday life.

You change your shoes.

You walk a little less.

You avoid that longer route.

You tell yourself you'll book an appointment if it's still hurting next month.

Then next month arrives.

If you've recognised yourself in one or more of these seven signs, consider getting your feet checked.

You don't have to wait until foot pain becomes severe before asking for help.

If you're looking for help with foot pain in Plymouth, book an appointment with Derriford Therapies online or give our friendly reception team a call.

Let's find out what's bothering your feet and help you get back to using them comfortably.