Foot Health 101: Common Foot Issues & Treatments Explained

Your feet carry you through thousands of steps each day, yet most people don’t realize how much strain they endure until pain sets in. One recent survey found that an alarming 81% of adults experience foot pain that limits their physical activity and overall well-being. Healthy feet are the foundation of mobility, balance, and daily comfort, but common conditions, like bunions, heel pain, or arthritis, can quickly interfere with your quality of life if left untreated. 

The good news is that with early diagnosis and treatment, many of these problems can be managed or corrected before they lead to long-term complications. Read on to learn how the best foot and ankle podiatrist in West LA helps patients who are ready to move with confidence and comfort again

Seven Foot Conditions that You’ll Want to see a Podiatrist for an Effective Treatment and Speedy Recovery

From everyday aches to more serious injuries, foot problems can take many forms and affect people of all ages. Below are the most common foot conditions and how a skilled foot and ankle podiatrist can guide recovery with targeted care and proven treatments:

1. Foot Fractures

A foot fracture can happen suddenly from trauma, like dropping something heavy on your foot, twisting it during sports, or taking a bad fall, or it can develop gradually from repetitive stress, especially in active individuals. Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Difficulty or inability to put weight on the injured foo

While you may visit an orthopedic specialist or emergency doctor right after your injury, following up with a podiatrist for recovery and rehabilitation is essential to ensure proper healing and to avoid long-term pain or instability. 

2. Arthritis of the Foot

Arthritis in the foot or ankle occurs when the protective cartilage inside the joints wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling that can make walking or even standing a challenge. The condition can develop in different ways: osteoarthritis from natural wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis from autoimmune inflammation, or post-traumatic arthritis following an old injury.

Patients often experience tenderness, limited range of motion, and increasing difficulty with daily activities. A podiatrist can help manage symptoms with: 

• Personalized bracing techniques
• Supportive custom orthotics
• Advice on an anti-inflammatory medication regimen
• Advanced therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and shockwave treatment to stimulate healing

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and happens when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. This inflammation is often associated with overuse, unsupportive footwear, or biomechanical issues such as flat feet. 

A podiatrist can help by recommending personalized stretching routines, supportive shoes, custom orthotics, or advanced options like shockwave therapy and PRP injections to promote healing. In severe, long-lasting cases, a podiatrist can offer a surgical approach for lasting relief. 

4. Flat Feet or Fallen Arches

Flatfoot, also called fallen arches, occurs when the arches of the feet collapse and the entire sole touches the ground. This condition can cause aching in the arches or heels, swelling, tired legs, and even alignment problems that affect the knees, hips, or back. 

Flatfoot may be something you’re born with, or you can develop it later due to tendon weakness, arthritis, or injury. Treatment often begins with supportive shoes, custom orthotics, targeted exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications to ease discomfort. In more advanced cases, when pain interferes with your daily life, surgery can restore proper structure and function. 

5. Diabetic Foot Wounds and Morton’s Neuroma 

Diabetic foot wounds and neuromas are two conditions that can make walking painful and risky if left untreated: 

• Diabetic foot wounds develop when poor circulation or nerve damage slows healing, leading to ulcers that may become infected and, in severe cases, threaten long-term mobility. 
• Neuromas, often called Morton’s neuromas, occur when tissue thickens around a nerve between the toes, causing burning, tingling, or the sensation of stepping on a pebble, often worsened by tight shoes or repetitive stress. 

In both cases, a podiatrist can provide customized care, including wound management, pressure-relieving orthotics, injections, or surgery for neuromas.

6. Bunions, Ingrown Toenails, Plantar Warts, and Toenail Fungus

Some of the most common yet frustrating foot problems include bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar warts, and toenail fungus; all of which can cause pain, limit mobility, and affect confidence. While each condition is unique, consulting a podiatrist ensures effective treatment and helps prevent recurrence in the long term. 

7. Gout and Hammertoes

Gout and hammertoes can both cause significant pain and make daily activities difficult without proper care: 

• Gout is a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints, often in the big toe, leading to sudden flare-ups of severe pain, swelling, and redness. 
• Hammertoes, on the other hand, are a deformity where the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, causing stiffness, corns, and trouble wearing shoes comfortably. 

Early diagnosis and podiatric care are key in both conditions, helping prevent permanent joint damage from gout and stopping hammertoes from progressing to rigid, painful deformities.

Where to Find the Best Foot and Ankle Podiatrist in West Los Angeles 

At KIN Foot and Ankle, our mission isn’t just to fix problems; it’s to restore function, relieve pain, and give you the confidence to move through life with comfort and ease. Led by Dr. Megan Ishibashi, a fellowship-trained, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, we bring together advanced surgical expertise and modern non-invasive therapies like PRP, shockwave therapy, and custom-made orthotics to support every patient’s journey. 

With state-of-the-art imaging, minimally invasive techniques, and a compassionate team dedicated to your well-being, we’ve built an inclusive space where patients feel cared for and empowered every step of the way.

Ready to get lasting relief from your painful foot condition with help from the best foot and ankle specialist in West Los Angeles?