Pain Management
Discover how Main Line Health experts serve Philadelphia by treating a wide range of conditions, including back, neck and oncology-related pain.
Arch Pain
What is arch pain?
People who run, hike and walk a lot may experience arch pain. Other culprits of arch pain may include weight gain, insufficient arch support in shoes and an injury affecting the foot.
For athletes, plantar fasciitis is often to blame. The plantar fascia is the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes. If it becomes overstretched, inflamed or swollen, it may trigger arch pain as well as heel pain.
Another leading cause of pain is fallen arches, or flat feet. Babies and toddlers have flat feet, gradually developing arches over time. By adulthood, most people have arches, but some may never develop them. People with flat feet may develop plantar fasciitis.
How to know when to get medical help for arch pain
Orthopaedics at Main Line Health offers a team of specialists with extensive training in treating a wide range of foot conditions. Schedule an evaluation with an orthopaedic doctor if:
- You're diabetic or have any disease that affects blood flow.
- You recently injured your foot, it's bleeding or there's bruising and you can't stand on it.
- You have a swollen joint, an open wound, a sore on your foot or a fever.
- You've tried at-home solutions but they're not relieving your pain.
Arch Pain Treatment Options
If you have plantar fasciitis, a variety of treatment options may help with your pain, including medication, stretching exercises, orthotics (specially made shoe inserts) or steroid injections in the heel. If less invasive options don't alleviate your pain, surgery may be necessary.
Arch pain problems caused by flat feet are generally resolved with shoe inserts you can buy over the counter, or with orthotics. In rare cases, if your pain is extreme or it has affected your ability to walk, surgery may be recommended.
Foot Surgery
Non-Surgical Orthopaedic Treatments
Some orthopaedic conditions are first treated with non-surgical procedures followed by surgery as the next step.
Physical Therapy
Each inpatient and outpatient physical therapy rehab is individually designed and administered by a licensed physical therapist who consistently guides you from that first visit all the way through recovery.
Sports Medicine
If you’ve had a sports-related injury or have a condition that’s keeping you out of the game, our sports medicine expert physicians and specialists are here to help you get back to doing the things you love.
Podiatry
See how Main Line Health’s dedicated team of podiatrists provide expert care, ensuring comprehensive treatment for your foot and ankle conditions.