Conclusion
Foot pain diagnosis is quite tricky, and there’s a complete medical specialty for it. The diagnostic process differs depending on where the pain is located, how it starts and progresses, and whether it is associated with systemic problems or skin issues. Still, all doctors can diagnose foot trauma; even general practitioners are trained to detect anatomic abnormalities in your feet and guide you to a specialist if they see fit.
In most cases, the diagnosis follows the same pattern, with a medical history where you will be asked many questions to limit the search of a diagnosis, followed by a physical exam that may change significantly depending on your answers, and imaging tests or laboratory tests, depending on what is the more likely diagnosis.
Foot pain can affect your quality of life and become a burden on your shoulders after a while because your feet hold the entire weight of the rest of your body. But there is usually nothing hidden in your feet, and the most common causes are diagnosed after a few maneuvers, tests, and procedures. Still, it is unwise to underestimate foot pain, and if you have long-standing symptoms or recently had trauma, we recommend talking to your doctor about it as soon as possible.
References:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00325481.1987.11699903?journalCode=ipgm20
https://www.emed.theclinics.com/article/S0733-8627(14)00133-3/fulltext