Foot pain is common. At some point most people will experience pain or discomfort in their foot. While much of the time this is due to a direct foot issue, it sometimes can be because of instability elsewhere in the lower extremity. If left untreated, this can lead to pain in the ankles, knees, hips, back, or even your rear end. So my title can be taken literally or figuratively. A literal "pain in the rear" due to unstable mechanics comes in a condition known as Piriformis Syndrome. The Piriformis muscled lies deep to the gluteal muscles and the sciatic nerve passes right beneath or through it. It functions to move the thigh away from the body's midline and externally rotates it. Piriformis Syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. This causes a pain deep in the buttocks and can even cause symptoms of Sciatica, a referred pain down the leg. The pain is generally made worse by sitting, squatting, or climbing stairs. The primary cause of Piriformis Syndrome is biomechanical in nature. Overpronation of the foot can ultimately lead to the formation of this syndrome. It is essential that this be addressed with the use of a custom orthotic to prevent recurrence of the issue. Treatment also involves a stretching regimen and physical therapy. In resistant cases anti-inflammatory medication can be used and a cortisone injection may also help. Speaking more figuratively, any pain in the foot has the ability to become a pain in the butt! From an ingrown toenail, heel pain, and Achilles tendon pain to something like a simple painful corn, foot pain can make everyday activities painful and laborious. I see it daily in my Houston, TX, podiatry practice - people waiting weeks, months, or even years for their foot pain to go away. There is no reason to wait so long! The quickest avenue to eliminating the pain in your foot is by visiting your podiatrist. A podiatrist can simply diagnose the cause of your pain and offer solutions to quickly resolve it. Many people I treat are stunned how quickly the pain resolves...all regretting that they waited so long! Most find that the difficult part of solving their foot pain taking charge and scheduling the appointment. Who would have thought that a foot doctor could treat the pain in your foot that's become a pain in your butt? Both at the same time!
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