Foot pain

Definition

The foot is made of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. The foot bears weight and helps move the body, but an injury or illness that involves the foot can cause foot pain.

Foot pain can affect any part of the foot, from the toes to the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.

Mild foot pain often responds well to home treatments, but it can take time for the pain to ease. See a healthcare professional for serious foot pain, especially if it comes after an injury.

Causes

Any part of the foot can be injured or overused. Other causes of foot pain can include chronic conditions or certain medical conditions that affect the bones and joints. For example, arthritis is a common cause of foot pain.

Common causes of foot pain include:

Injuries that can cause foot pain

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Avulsion fracture
• Broken ankle
• Broken foot
• Broken toe
• Stress fractures

Chronic conditions that can cause foot pain

• Achilles tendinitis
• Bone spurs
• Bunions
• Bursitis
• Corns and calluses
• Haglund deformity.
• Ingrown toenails
• Metatarsalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Plantar fasciitis
• Plantar warts
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• Tendinitis

Medical conditions that can cause foot pain

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Flatfeet
• Gout
• Hammertoe and mallet toe
• Morton's neuroma
• Osteomyelitis
• Pinched nerve
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

When to see a doctor

Even mild foot pain can be bothersome, but usually it is safe to try simple home remedies for a short period of time.

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Have serious pain or swelling, especially after an injury.
• Have an open foot wound or a wound that is oozing pus or discharge.
• Have signs of infection, such as a change in skin color, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).
• Are not able to walk or put weight on the foot.
• Have diabetes and have any wound to the foot that isn't healing or is deep, a shade or red, purple or brown depending on your skin color, swollen, or warm to the touch.

Schedule an office visit if you:

• Have swelling that doesn't improve after 2 to 5 days of home treatment.
• Have pain that doesn't improve after several weeks.
• Have burning pain, numbness or tingling, particularly if it involves most or all of the bottom of the foot.

Self-care

Foot pain caused by an injury or overuse will often respond well to self-care measures including rest and cold therapy. Try the following:

• Don't do any activity that makes the pain worse.
• Put ice on your foot for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day.
• Take pain medicines you can get without a prescription. Medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help ease pain.
• Consider using a foot brace to support your foot. You can get without a prescription.

Even with the best of care, and depending on the injury, your foot might be stiff or hurt for several weeks. This is most likely to happen first thing in the morning or after activity.

If you don't know the cause of your foot pain or if the pain is in both feet, see a healthcare professional before trying home remedies. This is especially true for people who have diabetes.