Managing Foot Pain from Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (porous bones) can cause bones to become fragile. Weak bones can adversely affect every part of your body, and in some cases, the pain can feel overpowering. And because May is National Osteoporosis Month, in today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing his tips for managing foot pain caused by this condition.

Osteoporosis can affect all parts of your body, particularly your hips, wrists, and spines. But it’s not unusual to feel the effects of osteoporosis on your feet. The most predominant symptoms of osteoporosis are pain within your bones and fractures due to a deficiency in bone mass. This makes injuries and falls even more hazardous because the bones are more predisposed to damage from the lack of bone density. 

Because your feet support the weight of your entire body, they commonly experience pain from osteoporosis. Each foot has 26 bones that can be damaged from this condition, causing pain from the wear and tear and, in some cases, causing painful stress fractures.

Osteoporosis can also affect the feet by causing redness or swelling at the top of the foot, which is most evident when walking. 

Managing Osteoporosis Foot Pain

While there isn't a cure for osteoporosis, some treatment options can help alleviate your foot pain. 

Over-the-counter pain relief: When osteoporosis foot pain flares up, take pain-relieving medication like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. When physician-approved, these drugs are an effective and easy way to reduce your foot pain temporarily.

Physical therapy: Educating yourself about proper stretching and strengthening, weight-bearing exercises from a physical therapist can go a long way to help you to alleviate your foot pain from osteoporosis. 

Hot and cold packs: Swapping back and forth between hot compresses and ice packs is a proven method for treating osteoporosis pain. While the cold packs can numb the area and diminish swelling, the heat can ease some stiffness.

If you are experiencing foot pain caused by osteoporosis and want to discuss your treatment options, contact Dr. Hubert Lee and his team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, to schedule a visit. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.