Foot pain

Causes

Foot pain may be due to:

• Aging
• Being on your feet for long periods of time
• Being overweight
• Foot deformity that you were born with
• Injury
• Shoes that fit poorly or do not have much cushioning
• Too much walking or other sports activity

The following can cause foot pain:

• Arthritis and gout -- common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
• Broken bones
• Bunions: A bump at the base of the big toe from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
• Calluses and corns: Thickened skin from rubbing or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on the top of your toes.
• Hammer toes: Toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
• Fallen arches: Also called flat feet.
• Morton's neuroma, a thickening of nerve tissue between the toes
• Plantar fasciitis
• Plantar warts: Sores on the soles of your feet due to pressure 
• Sprains
• Stress fracture

Home Care

The following steps may help relieve your foot pain:

• Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
• Raise your painful foot as much as possible.
• Reduce your activity until you feel better.
• Wear foot pads to prevent rubbing and irritation.
• Use an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Talk to your doctor first if you have a history of ulcer or liver problems.)

Other home care steps depend on what is causing your foot pain.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor or nurse if:

• You have sudden, severe foot pain
• Your foot pain began following an injury, especially if your foot is bleeding or bruising, or you cannot put weight on it
• You have redness or swelling of the joint, an open sore or ulcer on your foot, or a fever
• You have pain in your foot and have diabetes or a disease that affects blood flow
• Your foot does not feel better after using at-home treatments for 1-2 weeks

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying particular attention to your feet, legs, and back, your posture, and how you walk.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:

• Do you have pain in one or both feet?
• What part of the foot hurts?
• Does the pain move from joint to joint, or does it always occur in the same place?
• Did the pain begin suddenly or slowly?
• 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?
• Do you have numbness in your toes?

X-rays may be done to help your doctor diagnose the cause of your foot pain.

Treatment depends on the exact cause of the foot pain. Treatment may include:

• A cast, if you broke a bone
• Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses by a foot specialist
• Orthotics, or shoe inserts
• Physical therapy to relieve tight or overused muscles
• Foot surgery

Prevention

The following steps can prevent foot problems and foot pain:

• Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes, with good arch support and cushioning.
• Wear shoes with plenty of room around the ball of your foot and toe.
• Avoid narrow-toed shoes and high heels.
• Wear sneakers as often as possible, especially when walking.
• Replace running shoes frequently.
• Warm up and cool down when exercising. Always stretch first.
• 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.

Alternative Names

Pain - foot

References

Koenig MD. Ligament injuries. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section C.

Baer GS, Keene JS. Tendon injuries of the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section D.

Brodsky JW, Bruck N. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section E.

Klein SE. Conditions of the forefoot. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section H.

Hirose CB, Clanton TO, Wood RM. Etiology of injury to the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section J.

Price MD, Chiodo CP. Foot and ankle pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 43.

Silverstein JA, Moeller JL, Hutchinson MR. Common issues in orthopedics.In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 30.

Update Date: 3/1/2012

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.