Stubborn podiatric pain can threaten your quality of life. When your feet hurt, really hurt, the pain can take up so much space in your mind that it leaves little room for anything else. Before you know it, discomfort dictates your entire experience and you can find yourself parking as close as possible to every entrance, skipping your daily walk, or canceling plans with friends—all because of the pain.

Fortunately, you don't have to put up with pain in every step, or resign yourself to living a life that's less vibrant or active than you want. At New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute, our highly skilled podiatrists can identify what's causing your pain and create a treatment plan to help you get back on your feet.

Complete Podiatry Care for the Albuquerque Metro Area

Our premier podiatry practice compassionately and capably addresses all manner of foot conditions, providing comprehensive, high-level care for your feet, ankles, skin, and toenails. We treat a number of issues that can cause foot or heel pain. Here are just a few examples.

Trauma and Overuse Injuries

Injuring your lower legs in a car accident, dropping something heavy on your foot, or hitting your foot against something hard are traumas that can lead to painful bruises, breaks, or other podiatric problems. Additionally, increasing the duration or intensity of your athletic activities can result in overuse injuries.

Plantar Fasciitis

A common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia—the thick band of tissue that runs the length of foot, connecting the toes to the heel bone. The condition can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the middle of your heel that is most intense in the morning or after periods of rest, but subsides a bit with activity.

Achilles Tendinitis

Experiencing aching, tenderness, or stiffness in the back of the leg above the heel? Achilles tendinitis could be to blame. The condition is caused by irritation or overuse of the Achilles tendon—the large, tough band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Symptoms are often most severe after strenuous activity, but may improve with gentle activities.

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are calcium deposits that form around inflamed joints, resulting in bony growths that can cause pain and limit mobility. While bone spurs often form on the bottom of the heel bone, they can also develop on other podiatric bones, such as on the big toe or the ankle.

Neuromas

Neuromas are benign growths of thickened tissue that form around nerves in response to irritation or compression. In Morton's neuroma, the condition causes burning pain and tingling in the ball of the foot, between your third and fourth toes.

Arthritis

Arthritis is another common cause of foot and heel pain. Gout, a type of arthritis that causes uric acid to crystallize and deposit in the joints, can cause severe pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness—often affecting the big toe joint. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause pain and stiffness in the foot and heel.

We Offer Wide-Ranging Solutions for Relief

Complete podiatry care involves a lot more than just injections or surgery. That's why, at New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute, we're proud to offer a wide range of solutions for foot and heel pain relief. Your treatment plan will be based on your unique needs and goals, and incorporate the latest, most effective interventions. Our recommendations may include:

  • Simple lifestyle changes such as stretching before and after each workout, increasing athletic activities gradually, and following best practices for daily foot care
  • Better footwear choices such as making sure to wear the right shoe for the right activity, and that all of your shoes have sufficient cushioning and support
  • Advanced therapies and interventions  such as digital custom orthotics for precise support and cushioning, MLS Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, and minimally invasive surgical procedures for bunions and other painful podiatric problems

Take the First Step Toward Healthier, Happier Feet

Ready to put foot or heel pain behind you? Complete the contact form or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled podiatrists.

Nathan Ivey
Experienced Albuquerque podiatrist specializing in preventing and treating foot and ankle pain.