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 ...
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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 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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Home Care
- 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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Prevention
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.
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References
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.
