How to Tell if Your Foot Pain Is Caused by a Spinal Injury
Pain in your foot can be caused by a number of factors, including problems with your spine. Your back, spine, and other major body structures work together to help you move. If one is injured, it can create balance problems elsewhere that can lead to pain.
If you are experiencing a suspected spinal injury, do not wait to get help and insight into what you may require to recover. Our team at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery offers personalized treatment plans so you can get help for your specific condition, whether simple or complex.
How Your Spine Functions and Helps You Walk
The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are stacked on top of one another and are connected to muscles, tendons, and nerves that help you move. Together, these parts form a central column that runs from the base of your head to your tailbone. It is responsible for many essential bodily functions, including:
- Balance: Your spine helps regulate your sense of balance. It sends information about the environment around you to your brain. This allows you to walk without falling.
- Movement: Your spine connects to every major body part, including your feet. It sends signals to your muscles and tendons to create movement.
- Feeling: Your spine is also connected to your nervous system. It helps you feel things like temperature, pressure, and touch. It also helps you experience your sense of pain.
- Breathing: Your diaphragm is a large muscle that helps you breathe. It is connected to your ribs, which are connected to your spine.
- Spine Health: Your spine is protected inside by your spinal fluid. This fluid helps your spine stay healthy.
A spine condition can cause complications for any one of these functions or more. As the spine is the base of many nerves, complications can also cause pain all around the body, such as in the feet.
Spinal Conditions That Can Cause Foot Pain
There are a number of spinal conditions that can cause foot pain. The most common include:
- Spinal Stenosis: This is a condition where the spinal canal narrows. This can lead to a pinched spinal cord. It can cause foot pain that is often worse at night.
- Spinal Herniation: This is when part of the spinal cord becomes squeezed into the spine. It can cause foot pain that is often worse with bending, coughing, or sudden movements.
- Spondylolisthesis: This is when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. It can cause foot pain.
- Sciatica: This is caused when the sciatic nerve is pinched in the back of the spine. It can cause foot pain that moves from the toes up the leg.
- Vertebral Fracture: This is when a bone in the spine breaks. It can cause foot pain.
It is essential to get a professional diagnosis for your spinal condition so that you can receive personalized treatment for the fastest and healthiest recovery.
Signs of a Spinal Injury
It is possible to have a spinal injury without even knowing it, which can contribute to your frustration in finding the source of your foot pain. If you have a spinal injury, you may notice any of the following signs:
- Spinal Cord Bruising: If the spinal cord is bruised, you may notice pain in your foot. This pain can be sudden and severe.
- Drop Foot: If you have spinal stenosis or herniation, you may notice drop foot. This is when one side of your foot drops while walking.
- Imbalance: If you have spinal stenosis, you may notice an imbalance while walking. This is because one side of your body is weaker than the other.
- Weakness: If you have spinal stenosis or herniation, you may notice weakness in your foot. This is because one side of your body is weaker than the other.
- Urinary Issues: If you have spinal stenosis, you may notice difficulty urinating. This is because your urethra is pinched by the narrowed spinal canal.
Spinal injuries can worsen over time, so it is essential to seek help whenever you begin to suspect a spine issue.
Seek Help for Your Foot-Related Spine Condition at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery
If you suspect you have a spinal condition, it is important to see a doctor. They can help determine if you have a spinal injury and advise which treatment is recommended for your specific condition.
The spine surgeons and back doctors at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery are leaders in their field, providing highly personalized treatment plans so you get the relief you need for your spine and foot pain. We offer non-surgical recommendations before even considering surgical options. If you do require surgery, we perform minimally-invasive procedures to help ensure your recovery is hasty and you’re back to your usual quality of life in no time.
Contact us here at OLSS by calling (855) 853-6542 or filling out our contact form.