Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment in Goodyear, AZ
Sharp pain on the top of your foot. Aching in the arch after a long shift. Burning in the ball of your foot at the end of the day. Ankle pain that flares with every step. If your foot or ankle hurts and you are not sure why, this is the page to start with.
Dr. Craig Udall, DPM is the West Valley's specialist in lower-extremity biomechanics, and most patients leave their first visit with a real diagnosis and a clear treatment plan. Same-week visits. Se habla español.
Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment
Whether you had an injury, or think you have arthritis or there's maybe lingering effects from a chronic problem, Dr Udall is happy to help you figure out what is going on and give you all the tools and education necessary to get better, so you can stay active and on your feet.
Conservative Foot and Ankle Care
The great thing about Dr Udall is that he's not in a rush to sign people up for surgery. In fact, he avoids it. That way you know you have an unbiased foot expert helping to diagnose your problem and get effective, conservative treatments that work.
Simple Solutions for Lasting Relief
We are not very nice to our feet. We beat them up and pound on them all day long. Sometimes a simple adjustment solves the problem, like wearing better shoes or using arch supports, or adding stretches to our daily routine.
Education to Help Prevent Future Foot Pain
Dr Udall understands how impactful a foot problem can be on your daily life, and his goal is to not only help resolve your problem, but also to educate you and empower you to know how you can prevent it from happening again.
Personalized Care From a Foot and Ankle Specialist
He believes that a doctor-patient relationship is important. When you go to a doctor, you want to be heard and you don’t want to feel like your concerns are dismissed. You don’t want to feel like the doctor is in a rush and can’t wait to get out of the room as fast as possible. We take every concern seriously, and will treat you with respect. And we are never in a rush!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foot and Ankle Pain
Why does the top of my foot hurt?
Common causes include extensor tendonitis from overuse or tight shoes, stress fractures (especially in runners), nerve compression, and arthritis. A good rule of thumb: pain directly on a bone after impact or with no clear injury warrants evaluation for a possible stress fracture.
What causes pain in the ball of the foot?
Most ball-of-foot pain comes from metatarsalgia (general overload of the front of the foot), plantar plate tears, neuromas, or hammer toes. Custom orthotics, footwear changes, and addressing the underlying cause usually resolve it.
What does sudden foot pain without injury mean?
Most often a stress fracture, an inflammatory flare (gout, arthritis, tendonitis), or a tendon issue building up over time without a single triggering injury. Sudden severe pain in the foot or ankle without a clear cause deserves prompt evaluation.
Why does my ankle hurt when I walk?
Common causes include lingering ligament damage from a prior sprain, arthritis, tendonitis, or alignment issues. Persistent ankle pain with walking is worth getting evaluated, especially if you have had ankle injuries in the past.
Is foot pain at night a red flag?
Foot pain that wakes you from sleep or is worse at rest can be a sign of something more serious than typical mechanical foot pain. Causes include infection, neuropathy, certain stress fractures, and inflammatory arthritis. Call us for an evaluation if your pain is keeping you up at night.
Should I be worried about pain in just one toe?
It depends on the toe and the cause. Sharp pain in the big toe joint with redness and warmth can be gout. A persistent painful corn or pressure spot on top of a toe often signals a hammer toe. A bent, painful toe with skin breakdown is more urgent in diabetic patients. We can identify the cause during an exam.
Will custom orthotics fix my foot pain?
For mechanical foot pain (plantar fasciitis, flat feet, certain ball-of-foot pain), often yes. Custom orthotics correct how the foot loads and take stress off the painful tissues. They are not a cure-all for every foot pain, which is why we figure out the cause first.
Does insurance cover foot pain treatment?
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover the exam, imaging, and most treatments. We accept Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. We verify benefits before any work starts.
¿Habla español?
Sí. Dr. Udall y nuestro equipo hablan español con fluidez. Llame al 623-248-4734 para programar una cita.
Get Expert Foot Care From Dr. Craig Udall
What Our Patients Say
Other Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics support your feet and relieve pain, and are the main treatment for conditions like flat feet and plantar fasciitis.
Hammer Toes
In-Office Treatment
Hammer Toes can rub on the shoe, or cause pressure on the tip of the toes, causing pain. Not to mention they can look a little funny when they're curled. Dr Udall is an expert at diagnosing, and treating hammer toes. He has mastered a simple procedure that fixes most hammer toes.
Heel Pain
(Plantar Fasciitis)
After seeing Dr Udall and getting xrays, you'll understand why your heel hurts, and feel confident that conservative treatment for plantar fasciitis works well.
Ingrown Toenails
Ready to have your toe stop hurting? When you have an ingrown toenail, you know how painful it really is. If your toe hasn't gotten better within a few days, it's not going to get better on its own.
Neuropathy
If you have neuropathy, or think you might have neuropathy, make an appointment to visit Dr. Udall to talk about it. Dr Udall is not like other doctors out there when it comes to neuropathy. He is interested in helping you understand what is going on, helping you get a proper diagnosis, and doing what is best for you. There is no one size fits all treatment for neuropathy.
Flat Feet
Flat feet are feet with a collapsed arch, which can cause pain and difficulty walking. Dr Udall performs a thorough physical exam, including weight bearing x-rays to fully evaluate the arches and look at the bones and joints. Even if you aren't having lots of pain, a thorough evaluation is important to potentially prevent future problems. Custom orthotics and proper shoes are essential for supporting your feet and reducing pain.
Diabetic Foot Care
Living with diabetes means taking extra care of your feet. Dr Udall provides gentle diabetic foot exams, nail care, callus treatment, and routine foot care to help prevent complications and keep you safely on your feet.
Elderly Foot Care
As we age, caring for our feet becomes more difficult. Dr Udall provides gentle nail care, callus treatment, and routine foot care to help seniors stay comfortable, mobile, and independent.
Drop Foot
Dr Udall is the Valley's drop foot doctor expert for balance problems! As a podiatrist focusing on biomechanics of the lower extremity, Dr Udall can help you determine what is causing your balance issues, and work on helping you feel more functional again.
Book a Visit to Find the Cause of Your Foot and Ankle Pain
The fastest way to know what is causing your foot or ankle pain is an in-office exam. Dr. Udall will examine your feet, watch you walk, image the foot if needed, and tell you exactly what is going on. Most patients leave with a real diagnosis and a treatment plan they can start the same day.
