Foot pain
Foot pain is a very common complaint and there are many causes. If the pain is severe or lasts for a long time, you should definitely see a specialist.
Causes of foot pain
Sprain and compression
In sprains and compression, muscles and ligaments are affected. Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue around joints that connect bones to each other. You can sprain the muscles and tendons in your legs from over-activity. For example, pain and swelling at the base of the big toe are due to stretching of the ligaments around its joint. This condition is called “turf toe” and is often seen in dancers and footballers who have to perform on artificial turf.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis in which the formation of uric acid (a product of excretion) is impaired. In such cases, uric acid crystals accumulate in the big toe, causing pain and inflammation even at rest.
In many cases, gout first spreads to the joint of the big toe and then moves on to other joints. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish gout from an inflamed bunion of the big toe.
Verruca (plantar wart)
A verruca is a growth on the sole of the foot that is painful due to the pressure of your body weight. It is easy to recognize: it looks like a flat circle with a dark-colored dot (blood vessel) in the center.
Bunion
A bunion is a painful bony bump at the base of the big toe. It is a very common foot problem, especially in women. In this condition, the big toe protrudes beyond the other toes of the foot and its joint is displaced, causing bony callus.
Infected ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail is a process in which the edges of the nail penetrate and grow into the surrounding skin, resulting in cuts, redness, itching and increased skin sensitivity.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an injury to the subcutaneous fascia (tough tissue) of the sole, which causes pain in the heel. It is often caused by playing sports, such as running, or damage to the tissues of the foot due to heavy pressure.
Less common causes of foot pain
A problem with a nerve
Sometimes the nerve going to the toes of the foot can become irritated or pinched, causing sharp, severe pain at the base of the toes. This painful condition is called Morton's neuroma. The exact cause of this condition is not always known, but there are various factors that contribute to its development, such as walking in high-heeled shoes or flat feet. The pain mainly affects the third and fourth toes of the foot and occurs suddenly when walking.
Stress or heavy pressure on the pads of the foot
Pain in the pads of the foot can be caused by a condition called metatarsalgia. Metatarsalgia is characterized by a burning, painful sensation that ranges from mild to severe and increases with movement. It can occur in one or two toes around the pad of the foot, or sometimes the entire foot.
Anything that puts excessive pressure or strain on the pad of the foot can cause pain. The pain can be caused by walking in tight shoes for long periods of time, exercising or being overweight.
Arthritis
Foot pain in older adults may be due to a sudden complication of osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes inflammation of the tissues in and around the joints, including the joints of the big toe and heel.
Pain can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is a type of arthritis. In this case, the immune system attacks the joints and causes inflammation of their tissues.
Achilles tendon inflammation
When the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel is injured (for example, as a result of an ankle sprain), inflammation of the tendon, otherwise known as tendonitis, can develop.
Achilles tendon inflammation causes pain and stiffness behind the heel and can be relieved with painkillers, rest and ice.
Edema
If the foot is swollen, heavy and painful, it may be a sign of edema. Edema consists of a fluid (mostly water) that causes swelling in a specific area. Often, edema is seen throughout the entire lower limb.
Broken bone (stress fracture)
If you play a high-stress sport, such as long-distance running or basketball, the cause of your swollen foot and pain may be a small fracture of one of the bones in your foot. This is also called a stress fracture.
This type of fracture is common:
- In the bones leading to the second and third toes of the foot (metatarsal bones)
- In the heel bone
- In the outer bone of the lower limb
- In the upper midfoot bone.
