Foot Pain

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Foot pain

Definition

Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles. See also ankle pain and heel pain .

Alternative Names

Causes

Foot pain can be caused by:

• Bunions -- a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed. Bunions often develop over time from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
• Hammer toes -- toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
• Calluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on your toes.
• Plantar warts -- from pressure on the soles of your feet.
• Fallen arches -- also called flat feet .

Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.

Morton's neuroma is a type of foot pain that is usually centered between the third and fourth toes. It results from thickening and swelling of tissue around a nerve in the area. Symptoms include tingling and sharp, shooting, or burning pains in the ball of your foot (and sometimes toes), especially when wearing shoes or pressing on the area. Pain gradually gets worse over time. Morton's neuroma is more common in women than men.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

• Broken bones
• Stress fracture
• Arthritis
• Gout -- common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
• Plantar fasciitis -- see heel pain
• Bone spur -- see heel pain
• Sprains -- see ankle pain
• Bursitis of the heel -- see heel pain
• Tendinitis -- see heel pain

Home Care

• Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling . Do this just after an activity that aggravates your pain.
• Elevate your painful foot as much as possible.
• Reduce activity until the problem improves.
• Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure. This will prevent rubbing and irritation .
• Take over-the-counter pain medicine, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try this for 2 to 3 weeks (unless you have a history of an ulcer, liver disease, or other condition that does not allow you to take one of these drugs).

For plantar warts , try an over-the-counter wart removal preparation.

For calluses, soak in warm water and then rub them down with a pumice stone. DO NOT cut or burn corns or calluses.

For foot pain caused by a stress fracture, an extended rest period is often necessary. Crutches may be used for a week or so to take the pressure off, if your foot is particularly painful.

For foot pain due to plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts may help.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor if:

• You have sudden, severe pain.
• Your pain began following an injury -- especially if there is bleeding , bruising, deformity, or you cannot bear weight.
• You have redness or swelling of the joint, an open sore or ulcer on your foot, or a fever.
• You have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease -- a condition characterized by poor circulation.
• You do not respond to self-care within 1 to 2 weeks.