We walk around, using our feet a lot more than any other part of the body. Even a slight pain in the foot can make it very difficult to walk and interferes in many ways with daily life chores. The foot pain can be a serious matter at times. Hence, it is best to diagnose and get the problem addressed at the earliest. You can diagnose your problem yourself or visit a doctor. 

FOOT PAIN CAUSES

There can be various reasons for recurring or prolonged foot pain. The following are some of the most painful causes:

1. PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Athletes and ballet dancers may face plantar fasciitis quite often. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain and is caused due to inflammation of a thick tissue called plantar fascia at the bottom of the foot. The stabbing pain caused due to the issue may ease after movement but returns once you stop moving. The pain is most pronounced during the first step in the morning. 

2. ARTHRITIS

Foot pain is a frequent occurrence in many types of arthritis. If the pain is bothersome, it requires appropriate medical attention. Some types of such arthritis are mentioned below:

  • Gout – Swelling of the big toe along with severe pain are some effects of gout.
  • Osteoarthritis – With growing age, the cartilage protecting the ends of bones starts to breakdown.
  • Psoriatic arthritis – Toenails start to thicken and pits start to develop. Eventually, the nail gets separated from the toe.
  • Reactive arthritis – Inflammation and pain resulting from a rash at the bottom of the feet.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – Severe pain in the foot is caused due to the occurrence of bunions, corns, claw toe, or hammertoe.

3. ANKLE SPRAIN

Ankle sprains are the most common injury in the foot and ankle region. It happens due to a twisting injury which causes stretching or complete tear of the ligaments. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connects two bones at the joints. An ankle sprain can be quite painful and may restrict movement completely in severe cases. 

4. ACHILLES TENDONITIS

Achilles tendon is a strong tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Tendonitis is caused due to a sudden increase in motion or prolonged heavy use of the Achilles tendon. It is common among athletes and middle-aged people who play sports on the weekend. The condition is often short-lived but if not treated well, it can cause serious problems. 

5. BUNIONS

Bunions are bony bumps, generally on the sides of the big toe or the little toe. The joint where the outermost toe is joined to the foot grows outwards. It can be caused due to tight shoes or can even be genetic. It can cause continuous issues with footwear resulting in discomfort. Most of the time, bunions are painless and don’t require any intervention but for those with severe pain, surgery may be needed.

6. CORN

A hardened layer of skin underneath the foot is known as corn. Friction and rubbing from tight shoes can result in corns and calluses. These skin formations can be treated easily by soaking, proper attention, and care. Untreated corns can be a cause of persistent discomfort and can lead to blisters, skin tears, etc. Such issues must be attended to at the earliest.

7. INGROWN TOENAIL

Sometimes, the edge of your toenails might grow into the nail bed or the side skin. It can cause discomfort, pain, and may result in infection, inflammation, etc. Ingrown toenails can be managed with proper care but would need a doctor’s intervention if an infection develops. You must never wear tight shoes if you are suffering from this problem. Also, you should cut your nails to the proper length. 

8. FLAT FOOT

In a flat foot condition, the arch of the foot is not present. The complete bottom of the foot is in connection with the ground. As there is a functional relationship between the arches of the foot and the lower leg, a flat foot causes discomfort and pain to the patient. The condition can be genetically transferred or may happen with aging. The condition can be corrected using support, therapy, etc. 

9. METATARSALGIA

It is when the ball of the foot inflames and turns painful. There can be various reasons for this condition: excessive running, tight or loose shoes, foot deformities, tight calf muscles, etc. Wearing comfortable shoes, applying ice, taking appropriate rest and customized insoles can help ease the condition.

10. MORTON’S NEUROMA

It affects the space between the ball of the toes resulting in severe pain. The condition arises due to the thickening of tissue around a nerve leading to a toe. It can be relieved by not wearing tight shoes or high heels. If the difficulty continues, you may need to go to a specialist. 

HOW TO FIX FOOT PAIN

The first step towards managing foot pain is figuring out foot pain causes. Most of the prevention measures are similar to multiple conditions. You can use the following guide to relieve pain. 

  • Change your exercise routine regularly to avoid repeated stress to the same tendons.
  • When pain is experienced while exercising or playing a sport, the activity must be stopped at once and proper rest must be taken.
  • Focus on the right technique while playing or exercising. If not done correctly, it can pose serious problems for your body.
  • Always stretch before and after sports. The stretches are known as a warm-up and cool-down exercises. 
  • If you have any excess bone growth get surgery performed to get it removed. 
  • Keep a regular check for ingrown toenails.
  • In case of serious issues like diabetes, a doctor’s advice is very important. 
  • Wear proper safety footwear.

Any pain can be problematic. Foot pains are important to fix before they can affect you adversely. Sometimes medical intervention might be required, while many a time, the problem can be solved at home with care and attention.