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.

Alternative Names

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 is a type of foot pain that is usually centered between the third and fourth toes. It results from thickening and swelling of tissue around a nerve in the area. Symptoms include tingling and sharp, shooting, or burning pains in the ball of your foot (and sometimes toes), especially when wearing shoes or pressing on the area. Pain gradually gets worse over time. Morton's neuroma is more common in women than men.

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

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.