Our feet are responsible for keeping us upright and walking around. The foot, however, is an extremely complex structure with many muscles, tendons and bones all working in conjunction with each other to absorb shock and propel us forward to walk or run. Pain in the foot can indicate that something is wrong but there are so many different injuries that can occur. How and where the pain occurs can be clues as to what is wrong.
Arches
The arches of your feet absorb a lot of force throughout each day. Due to the number of muscles and tendons in this area of the foot, your arches are very susceptible to ligament and muscle strains. Fallen arches or flat feet can also cause arch pain. This can usually be fixed by wearing orthotics daily.
Balls of the Feet
Ill shaped shoes can cause bruising on the balls of your feet.
Pain and odd sensations combined with numbness at the base of the toes can be a sign of Morton’s neuroma, which is nerve pain from a benign growth.
Pain at the balls of your feet right below your big toe could be a sign of sesamoiditis which is an inflamed complex of tendon and bone.
Heels
Many conditions of the ankle and surrounding joints can cause pain that radiates to the heel. Tight calf muscles that lead to cramps, injury or bone spurs are usually symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis an inflammation of the ankle tendons.
Sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, which is worse in the morning or during exercise can be a sign of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the soft tissue that extends from heel to toe. Stone bruises, fractures and spurs can also be sources of pain in the heel.
Toes
There are many reasons you could be experiencing pain in your toes. Many of the causes of this pain will be clearly visible to you. Things like bunions, hammertoes, claw toes and ingrown toenails can cause lots of pain, but you will be able to clearly see which of these you are affected by.
There are also types of arthritis that can cause immense pain in the toes like gout and hallux rigidus. This type of pain can often get confused with strains and fractures.
Outer Edge of the Feet
The fifth metatarsal bone is located on the outer edge of your foot. This is one of the most broken foot bones. Indicators that your metatarsal bone is fractured or broken include swelling and bruising along the outside edge of your foot. You will also experience pain when applying pressure or walking. An x-ray is needed to determine whether the bone has been broken.
Generalised Foot Pain
Many conditions can cause pain in the entire foot. Swelling accompanied by generalised foot pain could be an indicator of some kind of blood flow issue.
Burning, stinging or a feeling of electricity can be an indication of neuropathy or nerve damage. People with diabetes are at very high risk for neuropathy.
Foot pain in multiple locations could also be a sign of tendonitis an inflammation of the bands that attach muscles to bones. With so many tendons in your feet, there are many places this can occur and cause pain.
If you’re experiencing any of these kinds of pains in your feet contact the team at Grace Podiatry today. Our expert podiatrists can easily come to your home and diagnose any issues you’re experiencing. They will then recommend and provide treatment to get you back on your feet in no time!
