Pain - foot

Alternative names

Foot pain

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.

Common 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.

Morton's neuroma, caused by two bones on the sole of your foot rubbing together, leads to a sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot (and sometimes toes). It is less common, but can be related to wearing tight-fitting shoes.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

• Broken bones
  
• Stress fracture
  
• Arthritis
  
• Gout - common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
  
• Plantar fasciitis - see heel pain
  
• Bone spur - see heel pain
  
• Sprains - see ankle pain
  
• Bursitis of the heel - see heel pain
  
• Tendinitis - see heel pain
  

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.