FOOT PAIN

Foot pain often develops gradually and can have more than one contributing factor. Understanding what is placing stress on your feet is the first step toward lasting relief. Common triggers include:

As we age, the bones, joints, and soft tissues in the feet naturally undergo wear and tear. This can reduce flexibility and cushioning, making everyday movements more uncomfortable and increasing the risk of foot pain or injury.

Carrying extra body weight places added pressure on the feet, joints, and tendons. Over time, this strain can lead to persistent pain and conditions such as plantar fasciitis, especially during standing or walking.

Activities that involve repeated impact, such as running or court sports, can overload the feet. Without adequate rest, proper technique, or supportive footwear, overuse injuries may develop and cause ongoing discomfort.

Shoes that lack proper support, cushioning, or fit can alter how weight is distributed across the foot. This may lead to strain, inflammation, and pain, particularly during long hours of standing or walking.

Certain health conditions, including gout, arthritis, diabetes, or nerve-related disorders, can directly affect the feet. These conditions may cause inflammation, stiffness, burning sensations, or numbness that interferes with daily life.

Identifying the underlying cause of your foot pain allows treatment to be more targeted and effective. With the right care, it is often possible to reduce pain, improve comfort, and regain confidence in every step you take. 

Foot pain can feel different depending on which part of the foot is affected and what is causing the problem. Recognising the pattern of your pain helps guide the right treatment and brings you closer to lasting relief.

If you experience any of the symptoms below, consulting a foot pain specialist in Singapore is recommended for accurate diagnosis.

• Pain: Sharp or dull pain that worsens after long periods of standing or walking.
• Stiffness and Reduced Flexibility: Difficulty bending or flexing the foot, leading to an awkward gait.
• Tenderness or Numbness: Affected area is tender to touch.
• Swelling, Redness, and Warmth: Visible swelling and a warm sensation in the foot.

In most cases, mild to moderate neck pain responds well to non-surgical approaches such as:

• Orthotics: Custom or standard inserts that support the arch, improve alignment, and redistribute pressure across the foot.
• Physiotherapy: Targeted exercises and manual therapy to improve flexibility, strengthen supporting muscles, correct gait patterns, and reduce pain. The right guidance is important, as certain activities may help conditions like plantar fasciitis but worsen others such as gout-related pain.
• Medications: NSAIDs help reduce pain and inflammation during flare-ups.
• Shockwave Therapy: High-energy sound waves stimulate healing in the affected area (e.g., plantar fascia).

For persistent or more severe foot pain, targeted procedures can address the exact pain source while avoiding open surgery.

• Coreflex Injections: These targeted injections deliver medication directly to inflamed tissues to reduce swelling and ease pain, often providing relief during flare ups.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: This procedure uses controlled heat to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves, helping to relieve chronic or persistent foot pain.

Surgery may be considered when conservative and minimally invasive treatments are not sufficient.

• Nerve Decompression Surgery: A procedure that relieves pressure on compressed nerves in the foot or ankle, which may reduce burning or radiating pain.
• Spinal Decompression Surgery: Performed when foot pain is caused by nerve compression from spinal stenosis. This procedure relieves pressure on the affected spinal nerves to improve symptoms.

You can reduce your risk of having foot pain by:

• Stretching regularly to keep your foot and heel tendons flexible
• Wearing properly fitted shoes