Our Dedicated Wautaga Foot Doctors Share Non-Surgical Options for Chronic Foot Pain
Chronic foot pain can be debilitating, so it’s only natural to want to explore all possible treatments. Because every patient’s medical condition is unique, there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. In some cases, surgery may be the best option, but our foot doctors will try appropriate non-invasive treatments first. 
The experienced podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists are dedicated to helping patients get long-lasting relief from chronic foot pain. Here, our compassionate Wautaga foot doctors share a number of ways to treat chronic foot pain without surgery, as well as what to expect if you do need an operation.
Non-Surgical Options for Chronic Foot Pain
Chronic foot pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including plantar fasciitis, arthritis, tendonitis, or nerve issues. Treating chronic foot or ankle pain requires a thorough examination and consultation with an experienced foot doctor.
Even if a patient has severe or chronic foot pain, surgery isn’t usually the first course of action recommended by skilled podiatrists. There are a number of non-surgical options to help manage and alleviate chronic foot and ankle pain, including the following:
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
For patients with tendon or ligament injuries or plantar fasciitis, platelet-rich plasma therapy may be an effective alternative to surgery. This treatment involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, separating out the platelets, and injecting them into the affected area.
MLS Laser Therapy
MLS laser therapy offers many benefits for pain relief. It can be used to treat chronic pain associated with many foot and ankle conditions, and it can also be effective with acute pain. This non-invasive treatment uses light to help accelerate the body’s natural healing processes while also blocking nerve cells that transmit pain signals to the brain.
Neurostimulation
Neurostimulation, also referred to as electrical stimulation, can be used to relieve pain by implanting a device that sends mild electrical impulses to the affected area. Neurostimulation treatments prevent pain signals from being sent from the affected area to the nerves that cause you to feel pain.
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) is another non-surgical option that can be used to treat many types of chronic foot conditions. EPAT uses pressure waves to enhance blood circulation and stimulate healing in the affected area.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications can sometimes provide relief for chronic foot pain. Prescription medications may be necessary for severe chronic foot pain. Prescriptions are typically prescribed for a short period of time and used in conjunction with other treatment options.
Pain Relief Injections
Your podiatrist may recommend a corticosteroid injection, also called a cortisone shot, for your chronic foot pain. This non-invasive steroid injection contains the synthetic version of your body’s natural hormone—cortisol—and can help reduce inflammation, stiffness, and swelling, and it usually provides immediate but temporary relief from the pain.
Proper Footwear
Changing the type of shoes you wear and ensuring that your shoes fit properly can be an important step in managing chronic foot pain. For some patients, simply wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes can alleviate pain and prevent further injury.
Custom Orthotic Devices
Wearing proper shoes is important, but you may also need custom orthotic devices, such as shoe inserts, to help manage or relieve chronic foot pain. Custom orthotics can provide support, correct foot alignment, and help relieve pressure or stress on painful areas.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) can also play a role in managing chronic foot pain, although the specific recommendations will vary from patient to patient. Through specific exercises and techniques, PT can help strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Exercise
Exercising at home can also help with the management of chronic foot pain. Some people find foot stretching exercises to be beneficial, although it’s important to get guidance from your podiatrist regarding the types of exercises that are best for your specific condition. Doing the wrong types of exercise or working out too intensely could potentially worsen the pain.
What to Do When Foot Surgery Is the Best Option
In some cases, having surgery may be the best way to treat chronic foot pain. A podiatrist will likely recommend this treatment when non-invasive interventions have not provided sufficient relief.
If surgery is needed, be sure to speak with your foot doctor and their staff about any risks associated with the procedure, information about the expected outcome, and details about your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs so you can make an informed decision about what to do.
If you choose to move forward with foot or ankle surgery, the foot doctors at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists, will make sure you know exactly what to expect in the days leading up to the procedure, during the procedure itself, and during the time you will spend recovering from foot surgery, including coping with post-surgical pain.
How to Know What Treatment Is Right for You
If you have chronic foot pain, it’s important to work closely with a compassionate and experienced podiatrist. Dr. Richard Nichols and Dr. Joseph Harvey of Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists care about their patients and work diligently to find a solution to their chronic foot pain. After diagnosing your condition, they will work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on the specific cause of your foot pain and its severity.
The team at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists is here to help people with foot and ankle problems in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including exploring alternatives to surgery for chronic pain. With offices in Grapevine and Keller, our practice is conveniently located for those who live or work in Watauga and throughout all of Tarrant County. Explore our patient testimonials to see what other clients have to say about our practice.