BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFoot painPain - footPain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot. You may have pain in the heel, toes, arch, instep, or bottom of foot (sole).HeelHeel pain is most often the result of overuse. However, it may be caused by an injury. Your heel may become tender or swollen from:Shoes with poor s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Foot pain may be due to:Aging Being on your feet for long periods of time Being overweight A foot deformity that you were born with or develops later Injury Shoes that fit poorly or do not have much cushioning Too much walking or other sports activity Trauma The following can cause foot pain:Arthritis and gout -- Common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender. ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GoutGout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Broken bones. Broken bonesIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bunions -- A bump at the base of the big toe from wearing narrow-toed shoes or from abnormal bone alignment. BunionsA bunion forms when your big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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. Calluses and cornsCorns and calluses are thick layers of skin. They are caused by repeated pressure or friction at the spot where the corn or callus develops....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hammer toes -- Toes that curl downward into a claw-like position. Hammer toesHammer toe is a deformity of the toe. The end of the toe is bent downward.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fallen arches -- Also called flat feet. Fallen archesFlat feet (pes planus) refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Morton neuroma -- A thickening of nerve tissue between the toes. Morton neuromaMorton neuroma is an injury to the nerve between the toes that causes thickening and pain. It commonly affects the nerve that travels between the 3r...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve damage from diabetes. Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitisThe plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. When this...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Plantar warts -- Sores on the soles of your feet due to pressure. Sprains. SprainsA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stress fracture. Nerve problems. Heel spurs or Achilles tendinitis. Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Home Care The following steps may help relieve your foot pain:Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Keep your painful foot elevated as much as possible. Reduce your activity until you feel better. Wear shoes that fit your feet and are right for the activity you are doing. Wear foot pads to prevent rubbing and irritation. Use an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Talk to your health care provider first if you have a history of ulcer or liver problems.) Other home care steps depend on what is causing your foot pain.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 toes, a wide toe box. 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. Stretch your Achilles tendon. A tight Achilles tendon can lead to poor foot mechanics. Increase your amount of exercise slowly over time to avoid putting excessive strain on your feet. Stretch the plantar fascia or the bottom of 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider 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 to 2 weeks. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will do a physical exam. Your provider will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.X-rays or MRI 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 splint or a cast, if you broke a bone Shoes that protect your feet Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses by a foot specialist Orthotics, or shoe inserts Physical therapy to relieve tight or overused muscles Foot surgeryOpen ReferencesReferencesChiodo CP, Price MD, Sangeorzan AP. Foot and ankle pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 52.Grear BJ. Disorders of tendons and fascia and adolescent and adult pes planus. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, Canale ST, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 82.Hickey B, Mason L, Perera A. Forefoot problems in sport. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 121.Kadakia AR, Aiyer AA. Heel pain and plantar fasciitis: hindfoot conditions. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 120.Rothenberg P, Swanton E, Molloy A, Aiyer AA, Kaplan JR. Ligamentous injuries of the foot and ankle. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 117.AllVideoImagesTogFoot painAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersFoot pain - Animation Healthy feet often travel miles each day. You use them to get up and down supermarket aisles, climb stairs, and walk on the treadmill, among other things. Any pain or discomfort in your feet can really slow you down and impact your life. Let's talk about foot pain, and what to do if you have it. A lot of different things can cause foot pain, including those stiletto heels you couldn't resist passing by the shoe store window at the mall. Wearing poorly fitting or high-heeled shoes day after day can squeeze and pinch your feet until they start to hurt. For example, shoes that are too narrow can cause bunions, swollen bumps at the base of your big toe. Wearing shoes that are too tight can curl your toes until they look like a claw. That's called a hammer toe. When your feet rub against your shoes, you can get areas of thickened skin called calluses or corns. And too much pressure from your shoes on the soles of your feet can create an opening for a viral infection called plantar warts. If your shoes aren't a problem, you may have one of several conditions that cause foot pain. Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain. So, what do you do if your feet hurt? That depends on what's causing your pain. Sometimes you can treat foot pain at home. For example, you can hold ice to your foot to bring down swelling, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try to keep off the painful foot as much as you can. Sit with your feet raised until they start to feel at least a bit better. Wearing foot pads and other shoe inserts may also help your feet heal and prevent future pain. Sometimes you'll need to see a doctor, especially if the pain is due to an injury, or it's severe, or it hasn't improved after a couple of weeks of treatment at home. Your podiatrist can examine your feet, diagnose the problem, and remove any growths like warts, corns, or calluses. A foot doctor can also treat a broken or fractured bone. Depending on how serious the problem is, you may even need surgery to treat it. There are ways to prevent foot pain before it can start-like being careful when you exercise. Working out is great, but you never want to run or jump hard enough to damage your feet. Losing weight can also help take some of the pressure off of your feet. Probably the kindest thing you can do for your feet is to wear comfortable shoes. Your shoes should fit properly, supporting and cushioning your feet while leaving plenty of room for your toes to wiggle around. So, when you're shoe shopping, leave the stilettos on the shelf, and reach for a comfortable, attractive option instead. Your feet will thank you by not causing you pain.Normal foot X-ray - illustration Along with questions of your medical history, your doctor may need to take X-rays of your foot to help aid in making a diagnosis to determine the cause of your foot pain. If the foot is broken it will be put into a cast. Toes that are broken are taped.Normal foot X-rayillustrationLeg skeletal anatomy - illustration The lower leg is comprised of two bones, the tibia and the smaller fibula. The thigh bone, or femur, is the large upper leg bone that connects the lower leg bones (knee joint) to the pelvic bone (hip joint).Leg skeletal anatomyillustrationNormal toes - illustration The foot is made up of tarsal bones, metatarsal bones and phalanges.Normal toesillustrationFoot painAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersFoot pain - Animation Healthy feet often travel miles each day. You use them to get up and down supermarket aisles, climb stairs, and walk on the treadmill, among other things. Any pain or discomfort in your feet can really slow you down and impact your life. Let's talk about foot pain, and what to do if you have it. A lot of different things can cause foot pain, including those stiletto heels you couldn't resist passing by the shoe store window at the mall. Wearing poorly fitting or high-heeled shoes day after day can squeeze and pinch your feet until they start to hurt. For example, shoes that are too narrow can cause bunions, swollen bumps at the base of your big toe. Wearing shoes that are too tight can curl your toes until they look like a claw. That's called a hammer toe. When your feet rub against your shoes, you can get areas of thickened skin called calluses or corns. And too much pressure from your shoes on the soles of your feet can create an opening for a viral infection called plantar warts. If your shoes aren't a problem, you may have one of several conditions that cause foot pain. Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain. So, what do you do if your feet hurt? That depends on what's causing your pain. Sometimes you can treat foot pain at home. For example, you can hold ice to your foot to bring down swelling, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try to keep off the painful foot as much as you can. Sit with your feet raised until they start to feel at least a bit better. Wearing foot pads and other shoe inserts may also help your feet heal and prevent future pain. Sometimes you'll need to see a doctor, especially if the pain is due to an injury, or it's severe, or it hasn't improved after a couple of weeks of treatment at home. Your podiatrist can examine your feet, diagnose the problem, and remove any growths like warts, corns, or calluses. A foot doctor can also treat a broken or fractured bone. Depending on how serious the problem is, you may even need surgery to treat it. There are ways to prevent foot pain before it can start-like being careful when you exercise. Working out is great, but you never want to run or jump hard enough to damage your feet. Losing weight can also help take some of the pressure off of your feet. Probably the kindest thing you can do for your feet is to wear comfortable shoes. Your shoes should fit properly, supporting and cushioning your feet while leaving plenty of room for your toes to wiggle around. So, when you're shoe shopping, leave the stilettos on the shelf, and reach for a comfortable, attractive option instead. Your feet will thank you by not causing you pain.Normal foot X-ray - illustration Along with questions of your medical history, your doctor may need to take X-rays of your foot to help aid in making a diagnosis to determine the cause of your foot pain. If the foot is broken it will be put into a cast. Toes that are broken are taped.Normal foot X-rayillustrationLeg skeletal anatomy - illustration The lower leg is comprised of two bones, the tibia and the smaller fibula. The thigh bone, or femur, is the large upper leg bone that connects the lower leg bones (knee joint) to the pelvic bone (hip joint).Leg skeletal anatomyillustrationNormal toes - illustration The foot is made up of tarsal bones, metatarsal bones and phalanges.Normal toesillustrationA Closer Look Foot pain(In-Depth)Self Care Foot sprain - aftercareMetatarsal stress fractures - aftercareDiabetes - foot ulcersDiabetes - taking care of your feetNeck pain or spasms - self carePiriformis syndromeManaging your chronic back painShin splints - self-careRelated Information Ankle pain(Symptoms)Foot pain(Symptoms)Morton neuroma(Condition)Foot pain(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/8/2020 Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Foot painPain - footPain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot. You may have pain in the heel, toes, arch, instep, or bottom of foot (sole).HeelHeel pain is most often the result of overuse. However, it may be caused by an injury. Your heel may become tender or swollen from:Shoes with poor s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Foot pain may be due to:Aging Being on your feet for long periods of time Being overweight A foot deformity that you were born with or develops later Injury Shoes that fit poorly or do not have much cushioning Too much walking or other sports activity Trauma The following can cause foot pain:Arthritis and gout -- Common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender. ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GoutGout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Broken bones. Broken bonesIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bunions -- A bump at the base of the big toe from wearing narrow-toed shoes or from abnormal bone alignment. BunionsA bunion forms when your big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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. Calluses and cornsCorns and calluses are thick layers of skin. They are caused by repeated pressure or friction at the spot where the corn or callus develops....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hammer toes -- Toes that curl downward into a claw-like position. Hammer toesHammer toe is a deformity of the toe. The end of the toe is bent downward.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fallen arches -- Also called flat feet. Fallen archesFlat feet (pes planus) refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Morton neuroma -- A thickening of nerve tissue between the toes. Morton neuromaMorton neuroma is an injury to the nerve between the toes that causes thickening and pain. It commonly affects the nerve that travels between the 3r...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve damage from diabetes. Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitisThe plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. When this...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Plantar warts -- Sores on the soles of your feet due to pressure. Sprains. SprainsA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stress fracture. Nerve problems. Heel spurs or Achilles tendinitis. Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Home Care The following steps may help relieve your foot pain:Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Keep your painful foot elevated as much as possible. Reduce your activity until you feel better. Wear shoes that fit your feet and are right for the activity you are doing. Wear foot pads to prevent rubbing and irritation. Use an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Talk to your health care provider first if you have a history of ulcer or liver problems.) Other home care steps depend on what is causing your foot pain.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 toes, a wide toe box. 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. Stretch your Achilles tendon. A tight Achilles tendon can lead to poor foot mechanics. Increase your amount of exercise slowly over time to avoid putting excessive strain on your feet. Stretch the plantar fascia or the bottom of 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider 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 to 2 weeks. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will do a physical exam. Your provider will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.X-rays or MRI 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 splint or a cast, if you broke a bone Shoes that protect your feet Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses by a foot specialist Orthotics, or shoe inserts Physical therapy to relieve tight or overused muscles Foot surgeryOpen ReferencesReferencesChiodo CP, Price MD, Sangeorzan AP. Foot and ankle pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 52.Grear BJ. Disorders of tendons and fascia and adolescent and adult pes planus. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, Canale ST, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 82.Hickey B, Mason L, Perera A. Forefoot problems in sport. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 121.Kadakia AR, Aiyer AA. Heel pain and plantar fasciitis: hindfoot conditions. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 120.Rothenberg P, Swanton E, Molloy A, Aiyer AA, Kaplan JR. Ligamentous injuries of the foot and ankle. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 117.