5 Common Causes of Foot Pain You Should Know

Our legs can withstand up to one million pounds of pressure during one hour of active exercise. They are also able to support our body weight when walking and running. No wonder our feet are very prone to injury. Foot pain is a common reason why people visit their orthopedic physicians or podiatrists and this diagnosed or prevented early if you know the common causes of foot pain.

The foot includes more than 26 bones, 33 joints, and five ligaments so there is a lot of structures that can be damaged. Pain and limited functional mobility may occur when these structures become damaged or excessively stressed. In this article, we gathered five common causes of foot pain you need to know.

Here are the 5 Common Causes of Foot Pain

1. Turf toe

Turf toe means a sprain at the base of the big toe. This condition occurs when the big toe deviates outside the normal range of motion. It can happen when you go to strike a soccer ball but hit the ground instead and tear your ligaments. Turf toe pain is usually felt when walking and running. You may also feel cramps in the toe area.

2. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis tends to be the most common cause of foot pain. It is caused by the irritation of a thick strip of tissue (the plantar fascia), which passes through the sole of your foot and connects your toes with the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis usually causes pain in the lower part of the foot near the inside of the heel. Discomfort with plantar fasciitis often occurs in the morning after you wake up and during physical exercises like running, but you may feel heel pain even when walking.

3. Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a painful foot condition in the area before the toes or ankle joint. This condition is named metatarsalgia because the bones in this area of ​​the foot are called the metatarsals. Excessive running increases stress in this area. This stress may result in swelling and pain over time.

4. Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition when the main nerve leading to the foot is pressed by tissue or bone. There is a similar condition of the wrist called carpal tunnel syndrome. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be called the foot version of carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include burning, shooting, and tingling that is felt on the inside of the foot area.

5. Posterior tibial tendonitis

The posterior tibialis tendon descends down the inner part of the leg and attaches to the lower part of the foot close to the medial arch. This tendon helps maintain the natural arch of your foot and irritation in this area can lead to pain, limited mobility, and flat feet.

Treatment methods

Physical therapy is one of the most common methods of foot pain treatment. Stretching your feet can help relieve discomfort and unpleasant sensations felt from the above disorders. In the case of plantar fasciitis, a brace can be worn at night to keep the leg in a stretched position.

If you suffer from foot pain, your physical therapist can also suggest different strategies that can help you cope with pain and improve your well-being. For example, an ice bottle massage can be performed in order to help control inflammation and pain.

Relieving foot pain can be quite a difficult task. Painful sensations may prevent you from walking normally and may decrease your ability to perform daily activities. Using foot stool for circulation of blood is good technique to ease out the pain.  If you suffer from foot pain, consult your doctor and physiotherapist to find out how to eliminate your foot pain and return to your usual lifestyle. The most effective treatments will depend on your individual situation, that is why a consultation with a podiatrist is recommended.