Foot pain diagnosis is important because the person is made aware of what his condition is and will also provide appropriate measures in how to deal with foot pain. This is usually done through personal and family medical history, diagnostic imaging studies and by physical examination of the foot. Medical history contains information such as swelling, the occurrence of the pain, how worst the pain is, and what happens to the pain under an activity. Family history includes information about the structure of the foot. There are people who are prone to foot pain because of the faulty structure of their feet. Medical conditions that run in the family are also checked. Conditions such as diabetes and arthritis may also be the cause of the problem.
During foot pain diagnosis, how the patient walks with foot pain are also evaluated through physical examinations. The physician also examines the feet, legs and back of the patient. After the personal and medical history has been evaluated the physician will tell the patient all the possible causes of the pain. Diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays and bone scan are conducted to know the type of condition the patient is suffering from. The most common of the heel pain is the plantar fasciitis or the heel spur syndrome.
After the foot pain diagnosis, the physician will provide several treatments for the patients. For patients that have plantar fasciitis are advised to do some stretching activities so as to help ease the pain. Putting an ice will help lessen the inflammation. However, stretching activities for those who have tendonitis are not advisable for it will damage the muscles on the feet more. Remember not to put the ice directly on the infected area, put a cloth around the ice before applying it. If you are obese, lose some weight so as to reduce strain in your foot. Providing your feet with comfortable shoes is also necessary. High heeled shoes will only put too much strain in your foot.
Patients usually go for the non-surgical treatment but if their foot pain condition tends to get worst, then a surgery is needed. Foot pain diagnosis is needed so as the foot or ankle surgeon will know whether the patient will undergo surgical or non-surgical treatment.