Foot Pain Specialists in Downtown & Midtown, NY

What causes foot pain?

The foot is a complex anatomical structure made up of many joints, ligaments, tendons, and sensitive nerve endings. There are many different diseases, deformities, biomechanical conditions, or injuries that can cause foot pain. But some of the most common complaints about foot pain include:

• Plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the ligament that runs along the sole of your foot. Because the ligament attaches to the bottom of your heel bone, pain is often felt in your heel as well.
• Bunions – an inherited condition in which your metatarsal bones are displaced, causing a “bump” at the base of your big toe.
• Hammertoe - a bending of either one or both joints affecting the second, third, fourth, or little toe.

Does arthritis affect the feet?

Arthritis can be a main concern for foot pain, particularly if the patient is diabetic. Many types of arthritis can that affect the joints, muscles, or bones in the feet. This can result in pain, stiffness, and swelling. Some possible arthritis-related problems that affect the feet include:

• Osteoarthritis - a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints. In the foot, osteoarthritis most commonly affects the big toe, but it can also affect the midfoot.
• Rheumatoid arthritis - a chronic inflammatory disease, resulting in joint damage, pain, swelling, inflammation, loss of function and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the small joints of the feet, often causing symptoms in several joints of both feet. This can lead to the development of corns and bunions and the curling and stiffening of the toes into positions such as claw toe or hammer toe. 
• Gout - a form of arthritis causing excruciating pain and swelling in the big toe – often following a trauma, such as an illness or injury.
• Infectious arthritis - Also called septic arthritis, infectious arthritis refers to arthritis that is caused by an infection within the joint. 

How is foot pain treated?

The first step in treating foot pain is to visit Dr. Cunha at Gotham Footcare for a proper evaluation. Dr. Cunha has studied the latest technology to deliver optimum service to each patient. Once the underlying cause of your foot pain is diagnosed a treatment plan can be developed to focus on your specific needs.