Foot Pain: What You Should Know
With 28 bones, 33 joints and the stress of supporting the body, it’s not surprising that a lot can go wrong with your feet. Foot pain can result from many causes, including several forms of arthritis, says Carol Frey, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Manhattan Beach, California. Here are some possible causes and what to do if you experience them.
HEEL/ANKLE
Achilles tendinitis: Pain, stiffness and swelling in the Achilles tendon, which runs from the calf to the heel bone, often results from repetitive stress from exercise. It may also be a symptom of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) so a proper diagnosis is key.
Treatment: shoe inserts, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, surgery
Heel spurs: Sharp, bony protrusions that form when the plantar fascia separates from the heel, causing pain.
Treatment: rest, ice, shoe inserts, anti-inflammatory medications, surgery in some cases
TOES
Gout: A type of inflammatory arthritis in which excess uric acid in the blood is deposited as crystals into joints; sudden, severe pain and swelling in the joint at the base of the big toe is a common first symptom.
Treatment: uric-lowering medications for gout management; OTC pain relievers and ice therapy for an acute attack
Bunion: A painful, bony bump at the side of the base of the big toe. Caused by shoe pressure from the big toe drifting toward the second toe; genetics may also play a role.
Treatment: roomy shoes, inserts, OTC pain relievers, surgery in some cases
Dactylitis: Pain and inflammation in the tendon that runs the length of one or more toes. Swelling makes the toe look sausage-like, a symptom of PsA.
Treatment: Discuss options with your rheumatologist.
Morton’s neuroma: Burning pain in the ball of the foot caused by thickening of tissue around nerves that lead to the toes. Pain is often accompanied by numbness in toes.
Treatment: shoe inserts, surgery in some cases
Hammertoe: A deformity in the middle joint of a toe that results in it bending downward instead of lying flat; affected joints are often red and swollen. Caused by tight shoes, injury or imbalance of the toe muscles.
Treatment: roomier shoes, shoe inserts, exercises
SOLE
Plantar fasciitis: Pain, inflammation and/or tenderness of the sole of the foot near the heel; caused by tiny tears in the long fibrous ligament along the bottom of the foot.
Treatment: stretching exercises, arch support, OTC or prescription anti-inflammatory medications
Author: Mary Anne Dunkin
Related Resources:
- Breaking the Pain Chain Toolkit
- About Foot, Heel & Toe Pain
- Arthritis & Diseases that Affect the Foot
- Medications to Treat Feet
- Preventing Foot Problems
My ankle pain is on the outside of my Right
ankle bone and goes around to the front
of that joint. Worse and more frequent when I walk . Terrible limitation.
I had an old injury where I turned my
ankle in a hole while leaving the car. So
I think may contribute to the pain, but I
also have knee and hip OA.
Any suggestions for stregnthening exercises, stretches or other ideas. Bio-
freeze is a real help. Thanks, Melinda
Engelberg.
Mine started in my feet – I thought it was an old kick boxing injury that was flaring up as I had broken a toe whilst taking part in a match many years ago
Unfortunately it turned out to be arthritis. I am having incredible difficulty walking properly at the moment although sometimes it does seem to “vanish” for a few hours.
I can’t put either of my feet down flat. Its very debilitating