Foot injuries are a common sports injury and are often observed in children and teenagers especially when they are going through a growth spurt. It is important to rest the injured foot, trying not to put too much weight on it while the injury is healing.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes heel pain and can be suffered by runners and other sports enthusiasts. Plantar fasciitis is caused by irritation and inflammation of the tight tissue that makes up the arch of the foot. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain when walking and standing in one position for too long. There are various orthopedic treatments for plantar fasciitis including chiropractic and physical therapy. A combination of shoe inserts, stretching exercises and anti-inflammatory medications can really help with the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Rapid weight gain is often determined as a cause for this condition and weight loss is often recommended to prevent it from getting worse.

Another common foot injury is Achilles tendonitis which causes pain behind the heel and it is often observed in middle aged recreational athletes. Immobilization of the foot and ankle is often required during healing and the patient may need crutches to ensure that the area gets rest.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is another cause of foot pain and is similar to carpel tunnel syndrome except it is associated with the foot instead of the wrist. The tarsal tunnel is a space in the foot formed between bones and overlying fibrous tissue. A nerve called the posterior tibial nerve, which is within the tarsal tunnel, becomes damaged and causes pain when walking or standing for long periods. Orthopedic treatments for this condition include cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and a change of footwear. Tarsal tunnel release may also be necessary, which is a surgical procedure that lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. The surgery opens up the tarsal tunnel with an incision, which decreases the pressure on the posterior tibial nerve reducing, the pain and increasing mobility.