Lots of people experience foot pain after wearing uncomfortable shoes or spending a lot of time on their feet. However, if you have frequent foot pain, there may be an underlying issue that is contributing to your pain. Hypothyroidism can lead to several types of foot pain, including joint and muscle pain. Read on to learn more about hypothyroidism and foot pain.
Understanding Hypothyroidism
At this point, you may be wondering what hypothyroidism actually is. It is a metabolic disorder in which a gland known as the thyroid doesn’t function properly. If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is underactive, meaning that the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of an important hormone.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, tiredness, weakness, muscle aches and cramps, and depression. If you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism, you should see your doctor. Your doctor can order blood tests to help diagnose hypothyroidism. If the doctor determines that you do, in fact, have hypothyroidism, she will probably prescribe medication for you to take to help balance out the levels of the hormone produced by the thyroid.
People who have hypothyroidism often experience joint pain and muscle pain. Swelling in the muscles of the foot can place pressure on the nerves. The joints can become stiff and inflamed, leading to a joint disease known as arthropathy. People who have hypothyroidism can also develop tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is a medical condition specific to the foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome sometimes develops as the result of a pinched nerve in the foot or muscle damage in the foot. It causes a burning, tingling pain sensation, particularly in the arch of the foot, although the pain can occur throughout the foot.
The most important thing to do if you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism is to see your doctor. Don’t self-diagnose; hypothyroidism is a serious illness that requires medical intervention and the supervision of a physician.
Caring for Your Feet with Hypothyroidism
If you have hypothyroidism, there are a few things that you can do to care for your feet and minimize foot pain. First, be sure to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive. Wearing shoes that have high heels, are narrow in the toe box, or don’t provide enough supportive is hard on your feet’s joints, muscles, and ligaments.
The condition of hypothyroidism can also aggravate the joints and muscles in your feet. When you combine those factors, wearing unsupportive shoes when you have hypothyroidism can lead to a lot of pain in your feet. Instead, choose shoes that have a low heel, roomy toe box, and plenty of support.
Orthotics can also help to relieve foot pain. Orthotics or custom arch supports, are devices that are worn inside the shoes. They are made from a mould of your foot, so that they fit your feet perfectly and give you support right where you need it. You can slip these devices into the shoes that you wear every day, and they give you a perfect, supportive fit.
Receiving a diagnosis of hypothyroidism isn’t exactly great news, but it is a manageable condition. See your doctor, and be sure to follow through on your plan of treatment. Ask your doctor about orthotics, or custom arch supports too. She may recommend that you visit a specialized shoe store like Foot Solutions to have these devices made.
Foot Solutions has comfortable, supportive shoes for people with hypothyroidism. We can also make custom arch supports for you so that you get the perfect fit and all the support that your feet need. Don’t keep suffering through foot pain; visit Foot Solutions in your area today, instead.
