Other Treatments for Foot Pain

RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These are the 4 basic ways to treat foot injuries:

• Rest—An injured foot should be rested so it can heal.
• Ice—An ice or cold pack can ease pain and swelling in the first 48 hours.
• Compression—An elastic bandage puts pressure on the injury to ease swelling.
• Elevation—Raising the injured foot above the heart eases swelling.

Removing corns and calluses—Corns and calluses can be removed by soaking them in warm water for 5 minutes to soften them. A pumice stone can then be used to help sand it down.

Medicated solutions and pads—Over the counter pads, plasters, and medicines can remove corns and calluses. These treatments often contain salicylic acid. This chemical causes surface layers to peel off.

Ingrown toenail pain can be eased by wearing sandals or open-toed shoes. Soaking the toe in warm water for 5 minutes twice a day can help ease pain and pressure. A piece of cotton with antiseptic on it can also be inserted under the nail to help lift it up. This will also help the nail grow back correctly.

Bunion, bunionette (involving the little toe), and bursitis pain can be eased by wearing:

• Soft, wide, low-heeled leather shoes that lace up
• Athletic shoes with soft toe boxes
• Open shoes or sandals with straps that do not touch the problem area

A thick doughnut-shaped, moleskin pad can help protect the area. Some people may also need shoe inserts to take pressure off the area.

A toe pad in the shoe can help ease pain at the first signs of a hammertoe. Shoes with a deep, wide toe box should also be worn. As the problem worsens, exercises, splints, and shoe inserts may help ease pain.

Roomier toe box shoes and metatarsal pads may ease pain.

Stress fractures often heal by themselves when activities are avoided or limited.

Rest and easing stress on the ball of the foot can help ease pain.

Some ways to ease plantar fasciitis pain are:

• Wearing shoes with a stiff heel and good arch support
• Stretching exercises
• Shoe inserts that slightly raise the heel
• Night splints
• Taping the area

A pump bump is swelling of the bursa due to a bony growth at the back of the heel. Some ways to ease pain are:

• Ice packs
• Stretching exercises
• Shoe inserts, such as heel lifts and heel pads
• Wearing shoes with a soft back or shoes that do not have a back
• Orthotics, such as custom arch supports
• Physical therapy

Shoe inserts may help ease pain from tarsal tunnel syndrome. They can redistribute weight to try to take pressure off the nerve.

Achilles tendinopathy pain can be treated with rest. Stretching and strengthening exercises can be done after a rest period.

Achilles Tendonitis

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Heel spur pain may be caused by the place where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. Insoles may help ease this pain.

Insoles and shoe inserts may help ease pain from flat feet. It may also prevent them from getting worse.