Why do my feet hurt? Foot pain is common and most of the time, benign and short-lived. But what are the causes? And which ones require an appointment with a professional?
From running injuries, to shoes that are too small, to genetics – there are many causes of foot pain. Foot pain that is not triggered by a specific event likely started out as discomfort that was overused and turned into pain.
Often, localized foot pain that may only affect one foot can trigger an effect on the opposite foot, as the body attempts to compensate.
Here are five places where your foot might hurt, and potential sources of pain:
1. Pain under the foot
The sole of the foot is the area that is most often affected by pain. Having pain under the foot does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from something and can simply be the result of a long day of walking. It is when the pain or discomfort is recurrent that it may be a health problem that requires consultation with a professional.
Three types of pain are most common. The first, plantar fasciitis , is characterized by pain that can feel like a tear under the foot. The second, Lenoir’s spur (commonly known as a heel spur) is an abnormal bony growth. The third, metatarsalgia, causes pain under the soles of the feet, near the toes, and can sometimes feel like there are needles under the foot.
Several factors such as flat/hollow feet, inadequate shoes, reduced muscle flexibility or rigidity of the plantar arch can be responsible for one of these three pathologies. Among the solutions, wearing an orthotic helps to better distribute the load on the entire foot so that the bottom of the foot is no longer painful.
Pain on the top of the foot
Although much rarer than pain under the foot, pain on the top of the foot can be caused by a shoe that is too small or the foot is too cramped, but also because the foot is not optimally supported.
Toe pain
A shoe that is not adequate and that forces the toes to fold on themselves is the main culprit for toe pain. Hallux valgus, commonly called a bunion, which is a deviation of the big toe, and Morton’s neuroma, which is a pseudo-tumor located on a nerve in the forefoot, are the two main pathologies that can cause pain in this area of the foot.
Heel pain
Heel pain is also common and can be caused by several factors. Some of the pain conditions include heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, which can be caused by poor alignment, overuse, or tendon retraction, which puts additional pressure on the Achilles tendon muscles. These conditions can be caused by, among other things, excessive pronation of the foot, poor footwear, flat or high arched feet, and a thin footbed.
Ankle pain
Although the ankle is not an area of the foot, pain that affects it can sometimes be explained by a misalignment on the side of the foot that adds pressure to the ankle muscles, or ligament instability. Many types of pain felt in the ankle can be corrected by wearing a foot orthotic. By stabilizing the foot, the ankle muscles can resume their normal work and therefore no longer cause pain.
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Although foot pain can cause difficulties when it comes time to move, it can, most of the time, be treated. The pain pathologies described in this article are just a few of the causes related to it. Whether pain is a long-term result of an accident or injury, or an unexplained pain, it is best to consult a doctor or podiatrist for a biomechanical examination.
