How to Diagnose Foot Pain

Properly diagnosing a foot problem can help to determine the best way to relieve the pain. If the pain is not manageable, going to a foot doctor is the best thing to do. Diagnosing the pain is not always easy, but there are some steps to take to try and determine the cause without having to go to a professional.

• Write down when you first felt some pain in your foot so you have a record in case you need to go to a podiatrist or other foot doctor. Go online to research different foot pain symptoms to see if any apply in your case. Read the steps for how to treat your pain and decide if you want to try the remedy on your own.


• Look for signs of infection to see if that is the cause of your foot pain. You may have a toe infection that is causing some pain to radiate to your foot. Check your nails to see if there is any sign of redness or other discoloration.


• Elevate you foot to see if the pain subsides. You can also apply some ice to the area where your foot hurts. If your foot is swollen, you may have circulatory problems that you will need to address in order for the pain to go away.


• Check for symptoms of diabetes when you diagnose your foot pain. If you have any of the symptoms, make an appointment with your regular doctor as soon as possible. You can also ask your doctor for a referral to meet with a different physician to diagnose your foot pain.


• Call your doctor if you cannot determine the cause of your pain. Whether you think you have an illness that is causing the pain or find that you cannot manage it on a daily basis, meeting with a doctor can help you determine the cause of your problem. Do not put off calling a doctor so you can begin to receive the proper treatment as soon as possible.