Foot Pain Causes – The most Common Ones

The foot is one of the most complex body parts with many joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and 26 bones. Any damage, inflammation, overgrowth, or irritation caused to the bones and soft tissues of the foot (tendons and ligaments) can cause foot pain. Bone fractures, sprains, strains, injuries, and overuse can cause foot pain. The most common causes of foot pain are peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and plantar fasciitis.

What are the most common causes of your foot pain?

• Foot pain causes: The following are the common causes of foot pain:
• Achilles tendonitis
• Flat feet
• Tendinitis
• Broken foot
• Bone spurs
• Bone spurs
• Avulsion fractures
• High heels or poorly fitting shoes
• Gout (excess uric acid-related arthritis)
• Plantar Fascitis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetes neuropathy
• Paget’s Disease of the bone
• Osteoarthritis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Corns and calluses
• Bursitis
• Bunions
• Broken toe
• Metatarsalgia
• Ingrown toenails
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Stress fractures
• Septic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Reactive arthritis
• Raynaud’s disease
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Plantar warts
• Osteomyelitis
• Haglund’s deformity

Which is the most common lifestyle-related foot pain causes?

The most common cause of foot pain is improper foot function. This can be due to a wrong selection of footwear, sandals, or shoes. If you wear poorly fitting sandals, chappals, or shoes, they can cause foot pain and worsen existing foot pain. Always remember, better footwear with good grip, excellent support and comfort can help prevent irritation of the skin, muscles, foot joints, and bones.

Bunion

Another problem associated with improper footwear or poorly-fitting shoes is a bunion (a bony bulge along the edge of the foot). You can notice it at the base of the big toe. It becomes prominent as people age. Another condition called hammertoes is also associated with bunions in some people. Changing footwear can help overcome this condition. If it becomes problematic, doctors recommend surgery.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar facia (muscles) is a long, thick, and strong band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. This arch supports the arch and holds it by acting just like a shock absorber during any stress or activity. Any overactivity, overstretching due to excess body weight, wearing poor-fitting footwear, and excess standing or running, can put pressure, stress, and force on this band of muscles and eventually leads to irritation and inflammation (Plantar Fasciitis).

Foot arch pain is the most common type of foot pain due to plantar fasciitis. It can cause pain in the heel as it affects both the arch and heels. Rest, weight reduction, avoiding standing and sitting for long, physical therapy, and taking pain relieving medicines can help overcome pain. In extreme cases, the use of local anesthetic and steroid injections can help.

Flat feet or Fallen Arches

This is another common cause of foot pain. It is due to feet becoming flat or fallen arches. It mostly happens due to excessive walking and standing. Flat feet cause foot pain and other issues. The treatment for this condition is by making a proper selection of footwear – shoes, and sandals, using shoe inserts, taking rest, and applying cold compresses, or physiotherapy. Surgery may be needed in some cases.

Toe Pain due to Gout

Uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints of the big toe and cause pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. This condition is most commonly known as Gout. Rest, the application of ice, and taking pain-relieving medications can help. Avoiding certain medicines and foot can also help. Learn more about GOUT.

 If you are unsure of your foot pain causes and have other symptoms such as extremely severe, burning, and shooting pain with walking difficulty, then meet Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi for an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of your foot pain.