Causes of Foot Pain?

​Various conditions or injuries can cause foot pain.  Fortunately, you may be able to manage your pain with self-care measures such as foot soaks, massages, and gentle stretching exercises.  But it is best to have your health care provider assess your symptoms and work with you on a treatment plan if your pain does not improve with self-care measures.  This step is vital if your symptoms are sudden, severe, or persistent.

Causes of Foot Pain?
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

​Foot pain is hard to ignore, especially since your feet support your body and absorb shock when you walk.  It can affect one or multiple foot parts, including your heels, toes, arch, or soles.  People live with this problem every day.  Research estimates that 75% of Americans will experience foot pain at some point.  Foot pain can disrupt your quality of life and lead to ongoing disability.  So it is essential to look at common causes and treatments for foot pain.
 
What are the most common causes of foot pain?
There are many reasons your feet may hurt.  Some common causes of foot pain include:

• Footwear - wearing unsupportive or ill-fitting shoes can cause aches and pains in your feet.  High-heeled shoes might also be the culprit since they can increase the pressure on your feet.
• Age - research suggests that foot pain affects one in four older adults.  That may be because your feet change as you age.  These changes, like loose tissue in your feet and falling arches, may cause foot pain.
• Weight - having a larger body or obesity- is linked to poor foot function and pain.
• Overuse - repeated stress on your feet from prolonged standing or playing a sport, for example, may cause pain or discomfort.
• Injury or illness - many injuries or health conditions can cause foot pain.

 
What types of injuries or deformities can cause foot pain?
Specific injuries, foot or toe deformities, and repeated stress can cause foot pain.  Examples include:

• Bunions - a bunion is a bulge on the joint at the base of the big toe.  It develops over time as a result of pressure on the big toe.
• Ingrown toenails - cutting your toenails too short may result in an ingrown toenail.  An ingrown toenail is very common in the big toe when the nail bends down and digs into your toe.
• Calluses and corns - calluses and corns are thick, hardened patches of skin, often caused by pressure or friction on your skin.  Corns are typically small and round, while calluses tend to be bigger and vary in shape.
• Plantar warts - are small growths that occur on the bottom of the feet.  Caused by human papillomavirus, the warts are most common in children and teenagers and usually go away independently.
• Achilles tendonitis - the largest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel.  Achilles tendonitis develops when it gets inflamed, causing painful swelling and irritation.
• Hammertoe - several things, such as the shape of your foot and the shoes you wear, can cause a hammertoe.  It occurs when a toe bends upward at the middle joint and can cause pain while walking.
• Claw toe - this foot deformity causes toes to bend down in a claw-like shape.  A claw toe can also cause calluses and foot pain.  It is more common in older people.  In younger people, claw toes can be a sign of nerve problems.
• Metatarsalgia - refers to pain in the ball of the foot around the metatarsals.  The metatarsal bones connect the middle of the foot to the toes.  Increased pressure, overuse, or foot abnormalities can cause metatarsalgia.
• Heel spur - often caused by repetitive strain, a heel spur occurs when calcium deposits form a bony growth in the bottom of the heel.
• Foot fracture - there are multiple types of foot fractures.  Symptoms of a fractured or broken foot include varying pain levels, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.

 
What health conditions can cause chronic foot pain?
Chronic foot pain may also be triggered by a health condition, such as:

• Plantar fasciitis - repetitive strain or overuse may lead to plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of foot or heel pain.  Stretching the plantar fascia, a ligament that connects the heel to the forefoot, can help it resolve.
• Osteoarthritis - occurs when the bone and cartilage in joints wear down over time.  It can cause aching, stiffness, and swelling in the feet.
• Rheumatoid arthritis - often starts in small joints, including the feet, making walking painful.
• Psoriatic arthritis - is an autoimmune disease causing skin, joints, spine, and tendon inflammation.  Pain and stiffness commonly affect the hands and feet.
• Gout - another form of arthritis, usually affects the knee and big toe joints first.  The rapid onset of joint pain, swelling, and warmth characterizes it.
• Diabetic neuropathy - with diabetic neuropathy, high blood sugar levels damage nerve endings and blood vessels.  It results in poor circulation and diabetes-related foot pain.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome - nerves pass through the tarsal tunnel (part of the ankle), allowing the foot to move or flex.  With tarsal tunnel syndrome, one of those nerves is compressed as it passes through the tunnel.  Burning or numbness may affect the heel, arches, and toes.
• Morton's neuroma - people with Morton's neuroma often say it feels like walking with a pebble in their shoes.  The condition causes a thickening of the tissue surrounding a digital nerve between the toes.  It usually presents as pain in the ball of the foot or between the third and fourth toes.

 
How do you treat foot pain?
The treatment for foot pain depends on the cause.  For example, if you have an underlying condition like rheumatoid arthritis, your healthcare provider may start with treatment for the condition.  Your healthcare provider may also prescribe or recommend the following treatments:

• Custom-made shoe inserts called orthotics relieve pressure on sore spots
• A cast, brace, or night splint to keep your foot in a neutral position that won't make your pain worse
• An assistive device, such as a cane, to help ease pressure on your feet as you walk
• Physical therapy to help your foot heal and regain function
• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids
• Nerve pain relievers, such as gabapentin and pregabalin

• Surgery, which is often a last resort

In some cases, there may be other treatment options, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy.  But again, treatment options depend on the cause of your foot pain.
 
What are the best ways to relieve foot pain at home?
Depending on the cause, you may be able to relieve your foot pain at home with these options:
Try the RICE method:

• Rest or reduce your activity until your foot pain subsides.
• Ice your foot for 10 to 15 minutes, up to three or four times daily.
• Compress your foot with an elastic bandage or strap to lessen swelling and limit your range of motion.
• Elevate your foot above the level of your heart while you apply ice or when you sit or lie down.
• Take an over-the-counter NSAID like naproxen or ibuprofen to relieve pain.
• Massage your feet to boost blood flow to the area and reduce tension.

You can also wear the following:

• Cushioned shoe insoles that provide arch support
• Shoes that fit well and are suitable for your activity
• Shoes with a rocker bottom to ease the stress on your joints and arches and provide you with a natural push-off with each step

 
Should you exercise if you have foot pain?
You may be able to exercise with foot pain. In fact, for conditions like plantar fasciitis, foot exercises or stretches may be part of your treatment plan.  These moves can help strengthen the muscles in your feet and relieve pain.  But you may be unable to do your usual workout routine if you have foot pain from certain injuries or conditions.  For example, if your foot fracture requires surgery, rest may be necessary for your recovery.  Or you might have to modify your usual activities to avoid movements that worsen your pain.
It is best to start slowly once it is safe to resume working out.  The following are a few tips to keep in mind to help you get back on your feet safely:

• Warm up the muscles in your feet and calves before your workout.
• Gently stretch your feet and calves before and after you work out.
• Choose low-impact activities if your feet hurt.
• Steer clear of high-impact workouts involving running or jumping, as these place a lot of stress on your feet and can worsen your pain.

 
When should you speak to a doctor about foot pain?
Be sure to get prompt medical care for foot pain that:

• Comes on suddenly and becomes intense
• Starts after an injury, especially if you cannot put weight on your foot and it bleeds, bruises, or swells up a lot
• Shows signs of an infection, such as an open or oozing sore that causes fever, redness, and swelling
• Occurs alongside an inflamed and painful calf and shortness of breath
• Is caused by a health condition that affects blood flow, such as diabetes or heart failure
• You suspect it is caused by a medication you’re taking
• Does not improve after a few weeks