With every step you take, your foot absorbs 1.5 times your body weight. With most adults walking 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day, it may be no surprise your feet hurt. Joseph T. Johnson, MD, an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Athens Orthopedic Clinic (AOC), cautions that prolonged pain is not something to be ignored or dismissed as normal wear and tear. If you have persistent pain, you should seek the care of a foot and ankle orthopedic specialist to prevent further damage and improve your chances for a full recovery. 

According to Dr. Johnson, people live with foot and ankle pain unnecessarily. “People will put up with chronic pain for much too long. By the time they come see us, the problem has become more advanced and requires another level of care than if we were able to see and diagnose them earlier,” said Dr. Johnson.

There are many reasons for chronic foot and ankle pain, such as overuse, injury or degenerative conditions like arthritis. “At AOC, our highly trained foot and ankle specialists have the expertise and range of services needed to treat orthopedic and podiatric conditions. We offer both non-operative and operative techniques. Non-surgical options include state-of-the-art orthotics, bracing and individualized physical therapy,” said Dr. Johnson.  

Should you need surgery, AOC fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons offer the latest and most advanced surgical options. “In the past few years, we are seeing great success with ankle replacement. The advancements in the technology and improved surgical techniques have made ankle replacement a viable treatment option for those with debilitating arthritis or traumatic injury,” said Dr. Johnson. 

He adds that when surgery is needed, AOC offers the patient seamless access to rehabilitative services for physical therapy. “Follow-up care is key for making a full recovery. Our team works in coordination to monitor and ensure recovery is progressing accordingly.” 

If you are having pain in the feet or ankles that is affecting your daily life, it may be time to see a specialist for evaluation and treatment.