Definition
Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles. See also ankle pain and heel pain .
Causes
Foot pain can be caused by:
- Bunions -- a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed. Bunions often develop over time from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
- Hammer toes -- toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
- Calluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on your toes.
- Plantar warts -- from pressure on the soles ...
Keep reading...
Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles. See also ankle pain and heel pain .
Foot pain can be caused by:
- Bunions -- a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed. Bunions often develop over time from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
- Hammer toes -- toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
- Calluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on your toes.
- Plantar warts -- from pressure on the soles of your feet.
- Fallen arches -- also called flat feet.
Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.
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- Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Do this just after an activity that aggravates your pain.
- Elevate your painful foot as much as possible.
- Reduce activity until the problem improves.
- Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure. This will prevent rubbing and irritation.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try this for 2 to 3 weeks (unless you have a history of an ulcer, liver disease, or other condition that does not allow you to take one of these drugs).
For plantar warts, try an over-the-counter wart removal preparation.
For calluses, soak in warm water and then rub them down with a pumice stone. DO NOT ...
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The following steps can prevent foot problems and foot pain:
- Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes. They should have good arch support and cushioning.
- Wear shoes with adequate room around the ball of your foot and toe.
- Wear sneakers as often as possible, especially when walking.
- Avoid narrow-toed shoes and high heels.
- Replace running shoes frequently.
- Warm up before exercise, cool down after exercise, and stretch adequately.
- Increase your amount of exercise SLOWLY over time to avoid putting excessive strain on your feet.
- Lose weight if you need to.
Keep reading...
Hochman MG. Nerves in a pinch: imaging of nerve compression syndromes. Radiol Clin North Am . Jan 2004; 42(1): 221-45.
Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:1214.
Kay D. Morton's neuroma. Foot Ankle Clin . 2003; 8(1): 49-59.
American College of Radiology (ACR), Expert Panel on Musculoskeletal Imaging. Chronic foot pain . Reston, VA: American College of Radiology; 2002.
