Most people will experience foot pain at some point in their lives. You will likely experience some foot pain at times, whether it is from a sprain, cramping, or stepping on something sharp. Sometimes, however, foot pain may be an indication of something more serious and should be treated immediately.
Our feet are one of the most durable parts of our bodies. They can withstand many strenuous activities such as running, jumping, and kicking. Our feet are able to withstand the stress and impact without too much trouble, but they can also get hurt.
We will be discussing some common causes of foot discomfort in this article. This information is not meant to replace proper medical care. Make an appointment with a professional if you have severe foot pain.
The first question you should ask when discussing foot pain is Where are you having foot pain?
Toe Pain
Toe pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. Toe pain can often be secondary to other conditions like diabetes, arthritis, hyper-pronation, and hyper-pronation. Here are some common examples:
- Osteoarthritis is often a cause of pain in the large toe joints.
- Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy (numbness or pain in the extremities) and may also lead to diabetes.
- Hyper-pronation and ‘flat feet’ are common causes of hallux valgus (bent big tip).
You may also experience toe pain from conditions such as gout, hammertoe, mallet toe, and other issues. Or, you might simply feel cramped by your shoes.
Toe pain can be caused by many different causes. It is important to seek professional advice to determine the cause and to ensure you are following the right treatment plan.
Ball Of Foot Pain
The ball of your feet is the forward pad under your toe joints. Also known as the “forefoot”, it’s located beneath your toe joints.
Metatarsalgia is the most commonly used medical term when discussing foot pain. Metatarsalgia is any pain that occurs in the area of the metatarsal head, which is primarily the ball of your foot.
Metatarsalgia can be used to describe a variety of conditions.
- Morton’s Neuroma, (Nerve Inflammation).
- Sesamoiditis (Joint Inflammation)
- Capsulitis (Joint Inflammation)
- Stress Fractures
- Plantar Plate Tears
- More
There are many causes of metatarsalgia, depending on the particular condition. Poor-fitting footwear, inappropriate footwear selections, excessive loading or stress on your forefoot, as well as abnormal biomechanics (i.e. over-pronation, Morton’s toe, etc. ).
The second cause of pain in the ball of your foot may be severe calluses. These can be caused by poor alignment, pathomechanical feet, or too much friction and stress on the ball.
Pain In The Arch Of Foot
The arch or sole of your foot is one of the most common causes of foot pain.
The plantar fascia is a connective tissue band that runs from your heel to the bottom of your foot. These tissues are very sensitive and can easily be strained. approximately 10% of people will experience this type of foot pain at some point in their lives.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common condition that causes pain in either the arch or sole of the feet. This refers to any condition which affects the plantar fascia and causes them to become strained, or inflamed. This condition is often associated with heel pain (see below).
A longitudinal arch collapse in one’s foot can cause arch pain. This is due to biomechanical problems such as hyper-pronation and over-pronation. This condition commonly referred to as “flat feet”, can contribute significantly to plantar fasciitis.
Pain in the Heel of Your Foot
Heel pain can occur in various parts of your heel and may be linked to many conditions.
- Plantar fasciitis: Besides affecting the arch of your foot, plantar fasciitis can also cause inflammation in the heel and front of the heel.
- Calcaneal fat pad: Calcaneal oil fat pads: These fat pads are found in the middle part of your heel and provide cushioning. This fat pad can become bruised from jumping or falling hard, causing pain in the middle portion of your heel.
- Achilles tendon: The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles and your heel bone. This pain is usually located in your heel or back of the calf. It is also known as Achilles tendonitis. This is a condition that causes inflammation of the tendon. It’s usually caused by repetitive strain in that area.
A professional should be consulted if you have pain in your heel. You should not ignore heel pain. It can lead to further problems.