After supporting you for miles, your feet can sometimes get tired and experience injuries or soreness. However, dealing with this pain can be frustrating as a runner since it interrupts your training. Visiting a sports medicine doctor will address the problem, but understanding the reasons behind it can help prevent it from reoccurring. Here's what to know.

What Can Lead to Foot Pain?

1. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common complaint from runners. When the plantar fascia — the ligament that runs from the heel along the bottom of your foot — gets stressed from excessive pressure or stretching, it can become inflamed. This causes the condition to develop, which can worsen in the mornings. Fortunately, you can prevent it by always wearing supportive running shoes and not introducing sudden changes to your training load.

2. Stress Fracture

A stress fracture is a small break in the bone, typically resulting from repetitive overuse or running on hard surfaces. This injury can develop in any bone in the foot, but it's most common in the metatarsals. 

If you suspect you have a stress fracture, visit a sports medicine doctor for a diagnosis. They will provide personalized advice, such as recommending stopping training and resting for six to eight weeks to ensure proper healing.

3. Tendinopathy

Similarly to the other conditions, tendinopathy also develops due to overuse. It causes pain and swelling in the feet, usually on the lateral side of the ankle or around the heel. The condition can appear gradually and worsen over time. A sports medicine doctor can recommend exercises, such as calf raises, for you to heal the tendons and slowly return to training over time.

If you are a runner dealing with foot pain, visit Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii in Honolulu. This facility has offered top-of-the-line care since 1968. Whether you need a hip or knee replacement, orthopedic care, or sports medicine treatment, these doctors will do everything possible to keep you on your feet. Call (808) 536-2261 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.