Bursa in Feet Could Be The Cause Of Your Pain
Bursitis is a condition that you may have heard of in the shoulder, but bursa may also appear in the foot, and it can be a painful condition to deal with. The bursa is part of the body that is designed for lubricating and cushioning bones and joints during movements, which means they appear in various areas of the body. This is a small sac of fluid that may become inflamed over time, causing foot bursitis. This maybe is why you may be experiencing pain in your feet when walking and even when resting.
This is a common issue but one that many people are not aware of, which prevents them from getting it treated. This guide is going to offer you guidance on the treatment of foot bursitis, as well as informing you on everything you need to know about this condition so you can be prepared should your feet become swollen.
What is Foot Bursitis?
Foot bursitis typically occurs in the Achilles tendon and the heel, as this is where the largest bursa sac is in the foot. This bursa is supposed to protect the Achilles tendon from the pressure that can be caused by the heel bone when walking or running, but it can become inflamed, which can cause pain in the affected area.
There are several symptoms of foot bursitis that you need to be aware of, such as:
- pain when walking or running
- inflamed foot or heel
- the heel is painful to the touch and feels warm
- swollen and red heel, which has become swollen
- pain that increases when you bend your foot or stand on tiptoes
Foot bursa may cause pain in other areas of the body as well, such as the hip, knee, and ankles due to the tight, inflamed heel and pressure it causes. Bursitis can also develop in other areas of the feet, such as the joints of the toes and side, as well as the ankle. This is because these parts of the feet have to handle a lot of pressure, which can cause them to become swollen and painful.
This is one of the most common health conditions, as a lot of people feel experience painful inflammation located in their heels but typically do not know what they can do to help.
How to Treat Bursa in the Feet?
Luckily, many people can treat bursa pain in the feet without going to see a doctor or seeking medical attention, as there is a range of effective conversive measures that can reduce the pain this condition causes. It is important to note, however, that these measures make take some time to be an effective treatment, so if you cannot handle the pain in this area of the foot on your own, please make sure to seek professional help.
If you are looking to start treatment for foot pain right away, there are some steps you can take from the comfort of your own home. Some treatments for feet bursitis include:
- Resting and elevating the foot when the inflammation becomes too intense, which can help reduce the inflammation in the heel which is caused by repetitive activities like walking.
- Investing in comfortable and supportive shoes and socks to protect the feet when walking and prevent injury, The best shoes to support tendons will be cushioned, fit well and support the right position by keeping the arch high to reduce swelling and friction.
- Using ice on the heel or other affected areas of the foot at the end of the day can usually reduce swelling and can alleviate stress in this area of the body.
- Wearing shoes with orthotics inserts that offer support to the heel and arch of the foot, which can reduce the symptoms of bursitis and the irritation it causes.
Some people also find it effective to regularly take anti-inflammatory medication, especially on days when they know they will be walking a lot, as this can reduce the swelling caused by bursitis. You may find it useful to speak to your doctor or a podiatrist about the pain in your feet, as they can prescribe a higher dosage of anti-inflammatory medication than you can buy over the counter, making the medication more effective.
Your doctor may recommend some exercises that you can use for treatment to stretch the muscles in the feet and reduce pain when it appears while strengthening the muscles as well as to reduce the risk of bursitis in the first place.
How to Prevent Bursitis in the Feet?
There are also some forms of treatment that you can use as a preventative measure when it comes to bursa pain. This may be a great way to prevent shock, damage, and injury, and can also be used to prevent similar issues such as arthritis as well as bursitis.
One of the best ways to prevent bursitis is to wear the correct footwear when walking or running. The shoes you choose to use daily can increase your risk of bursitis, as well as other forms of irritation, so you want to try to avoid this kind of trauma as much as possible.
This means finding footwear that supports your legs during movement, with a lot of cushioning in the heel and arch of the foot to ensure that the correct position is supported at all times. These supportive shoes will typically have a wide toe box to support natural balance and movement, which may reduce the pressure bursitis causes in areas of the foot like the heel, as well as by not compressing any part of the foot.
As well as choosing the right footwear, you will also need to consider what you wear inside your shoes. Wearing padded or compression socks when walking is a great way to prevent bursitis as these support the feet. These kinds of socks will prevent the build-up of bursae in other fluid-filled areas of the foot, which will significantly reduce the pain you experience.
For those who participate in physical activities, such as sports and jogging, you must warm up properly. Bursitis causes the heel to swell and become painful, which can be prevented by stretching and regular physical therapy movements that make the muscles more flexible.
The right kind of movements are often recommended by a doctor and, based on the intensity of bursitis and may also require regular sessions with a professional.
Essentially, those who want to prevent bursitis and the pain it causes need to take proper care of both their feet and the entire body. It is common for those who may be overweight to also experience bursitis due to the additional pressure their feet are under when walking or running, so you may want to re-evaluate your current diet and lifestyle to make healthier changes.
How is Bursitis Diagnosed?
If you are experiencing a lot of pain in the heel and are not finding suitable treatments to use, then you will need to seek professional advice. Bursitis can be diagnosed by a doctor who will examine your feet, noting how inflamed the heel is, and asking you to point out where the pain is located. They may ask you to try to walk on your swollen feet to see whether you are dealing with bursitis or another infection.
Typically, the doctor will ask whether you are involved in any kind of sports or exercise to see how this will be affecting the bursa. Based on the intensity of the pain you are experiencing, other tests may be required, such as blood tests and an MRI scan to see whether you are dealing with bursitis or something else.
What else Causes Pain in the Heel?
The bursa is not the only area that can become inflamed, which means that the pain you experience may not be caused by bursitis. This is one of the most common causes of pain and inflammation, due to the fact the bursa is located in the center of the foot and can easily become inflamed, but it is not the only one.
Some conditions have similar symptoms to bursitis, such as plantar fasciitis, which also causes pain in the heel and swelling, as well as a trapped nerve or Achilles tendinopathy. This is why it is recommended for you to seek medical attention if you are dealing with bursa pain and cannot find a suitable treatment to use, as you may be dealing with something else entirely, which could require surgery to treat.
What can I get for long-term Care?
Bursitis can be a painful and irritating issue to deal with, but they are some long-lasting ways you can handle it. This includes wearing supportive footwear that offers to cushion the bursa, keeping it elevated, and reducing the shock of every step, which in turn reduces.
Taking regular rests and soaking your feet using ice or warm water can also keep the inflammation at bay, thus reducing bursa pain.