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, caused by two bones on the
sole of your foot rubbing together, leads to a sharp or burning pain in the ball
of your foot (and sometimes toes). It is less common, but can be related to
wearing tight-fitting shoes.
Other common causes of foot pain include:
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Home Care
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- 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.
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Call your health care provider
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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.
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What to expect at your health care provider's
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Your doctor will perform a physical
examination, paying particular attention to your feet, legs, and back, and your
stance, posture, and gait.
To help diagnose the cause of the problem,
your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:
- Are both of your feet affected? If only one, which one?
- Exactly what part of your foot is affected?
- Does the pain move from joint to joint or does it always occur in the same
location?
- Did your pain begin suddenly and severely or slowly and mildly, gradually
getting worse?
- How long have you had the pain?
- Is it worse at night or when you first wake up in the morning?
- Is it getting better?
- Does anything make your pain feel better or worse?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
X-rays may be useful in making a
diagnosis.
For bunions, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs,
Morton's neuroma, or other conditions, your doctor may inject cortisone. This
will be considered if oral medication, changing your shoes, and other measures
have not helped. No more than three injections in a year should be attempted in
most cases.
A broken foot will be casted. Broken toes will
be taped.
Orthotics fit by a podiatrist or other
specialist can help many structurally related problems. Physical therapy is also
quite helpful for conditions related to over-use or tight muscles, like plantar
fasciitis or achilles tendinitis.
Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses
may be necessary. This is generally performed by a podiatrist.
Surgery may be considered for certain
conditions like bunions or hammer toes if the pain interferes with walking or
other activities.
Prevention
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The following steps can prevent foot problems
and foot pain:
- Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes. They should have good arch support
and cushioning.
- Wear shoes with adequate room around the ball of your foot and toe.
- Wear sneakers as often as possible, especially when walking.
- Avoid narrow-toed shoes and high heels.
- Replace running shoes frequently.
- Warm up before exercise, cool down after exercise, and stretch adequately.
- Increase your amount of exercise SLOWLY over time to avoid putting excessive
strain on your feet.
- Lose weight if you need to.
- Learn exercises to strengthen your feet and avoid pain. This can help flat
feet and other potential foot problems.
- Keep feet dry to avoid friction. This may help prevent corns and calluses.
- Avoid alcohol to prevent attacks of gout.
