Obviously, there’s no part of the human body that’s not important for an optimally productive life. While that is true, we also appreciate the function of our feet. How well we can move is in itself an indication of overall health and physical ability. Foot pain can be painful but we will give you a treatment to fix it.
That’s why foot pain impairs our general functionality and productivity. Therefore, it becomes important to understand and tackle foot pain if we want to get back to our best.
In this post, we’ll explain foot pain in various areas of the foot and how they are treated.
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Toe Pain
Toe fractures
The breaking of the bones of any of the toes can be very painful. For serious fractures, one might need surgery. Whereas, minor toe fractures only need rest, ice, and pain relievers to heal properly.
Sesamoid fracture
This is a break in the small bones within the tendons attached to the big toe. It can be treated by rest, pain relievers, ice, and wearing of stiff-soled shoes.
Hallux rigidus
Hallux rigidus or a stiff big toe, is a type of arthritis at the base of the big toe. This results in stiffness and pain of the joint which is progressive. Pain relievers and physical therapy are often used to treat this. Again, surgery is needed in severe cases.
Corns and calluses
Corns, thick buildups of tough skin on points of pressure or irritation on the toe or the foot. Corns also can look like horns. Calluses, on the other hand, are tough buildup of skin in wider areas on the toes and feet. Just like corns, they occur due to irritation or pressure. Both are largely caused by poor-fitting footwear.
You can treat them by wearing better-fitting shoes. Or by soaking the foot and scrubbing extra skin with a pumice stone.
Toe sprain
A toe sprain is probably the most relatable toe pain here. This is what you experience when you strike an immovable object, stub, or overstretch your toe. A toe sprain happens when you damage your tendon in the toe.
Turf toe
Turf toe, a type of sprain, affects the base of the big toe.
Hammertoe
A hammertoe occurs due to a muscle imbalance or wearing ill-fitting shoes, causing the second, third, or fourth toe to bend at the middle joint. This results in a hammer-like appearance, hence the name. Just like many of the other toe pains already discussed, this can be corrected by wearing better-fitting shoes. And because of the way hammertoes bend your toes, you’ll also need those shoes to have a wide, deep-toe bed to accommodate them.
Bunion
A bunion is a misalignment of the first toe joint causing a bony bulge along the edge of the foot, next to the toe’s base. Bunions usually happen along with hammertoes. Bunions too are caused by ill-fitting shoes.
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Claw toe
Claw toe occurs when your toe points up or down and cannot straighten. Unlike bunions, claw toes aren’t caused by bad shoes. It is caused by nerve damage caused by diabetes or alcoholism that weakens foot muscles.
Treating it involves wearing better-fitting footwear, stretching, and wearing inserts along with proper management of the underlying diseases. Surgery is also an option when all else fails.
Gout
Gout can affect the toe joints by causing pain and swelling, usually in the big toe. This form of arthritis causes crystals to form.
The use of ice, resting of the foot, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and avoiding foods that worsen gout.
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Ball of Foot Pain
Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma occurs when the tissue surrounding the nerves between the bases of the toes thickens. This usually happens between the third and fourth toes. It has been linked to wearing high heels or tight shoes with women being more affected than men. Methods of relieving Morton’s neuroma include wearing shoe inserts to reduce pressure on the nerve. The use of pain relievers, steroids, and surgery is also helpful.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is characterized by discomfort and swelling in the forefront of your foot, typically resulting from ill-fitting footwear. However, it can also develop due to rigorous activities like running or jumping, and it is occasionally referred to as a “stone bruise.”
To address this condition:
- Utilize pain-relieving medications.
- Apply ice and give your foot time to rest.
- Opt for comfortable shoes.
- Consider using shoe inserts to alleviate pressure on the ball of your foot.
Heel Pain
Heel spur
Heel spurs, abnormal growth of bone on the bottom of the heel. Like most of the other ailments here, a heel spur is caused by wearing the wrong shoes and from activities like running. It can also be caused by abnormal walking or posture. Most prone to heel spurs are people with high arches or flat feet.
Heel spurs can be treated by resting the foot, physical therapy, ice packs on the heel, and wearing shoes with cutout heel pads. Shoes with good arch support and cushioned soles also help.
Heel fracture
A heel fracture is a break of the heel bone usually due to a high-impact injury leading to serious pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Heel fracture is typically treated by wearing heel pads, splint, physical therapy, use of crutches, and in severe cases, surgery.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tough band of tissue that attaches the heel bone to the calf muscles due to overuse or overstretching.
You can treat the Achilles tendon by resting your foot, compressing your ankle with a wrap, taking pain relievers, and using ice packs.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis or PsA is a form of arthritis that comes along with skin diseases (psoriasis). It causes stiffness and pain in tendons over your fingers, toes, and other joints.
PsA is treated by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cold and hot therapy, managing stress, etc.
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Arch Pain
Flat feet
Flat feet, also called fallen arches, are when the arches of the feet flatten out when walking, causing pain and other problems.
Treatment for flat feet includes the use of shoe inserts, brace, cane, or physical therapy. In very serious cases, surgery might be required.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis affects the heel, the arch, or both. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed or irritated. Steroid injections are used to cure plantar fasciitis.
General Foot Pain
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons. The tendon refers to fibrous bands that attach your muscles to your bones. Because tendons are found in every part of the foot, tendinitis can affect any area. Resting of the foot, steroid injections, and pain relievers, are some of the most common treatment methods.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is what happens when the cartilage that lines the joints wears out. This causes the hard bones to rub against each other causing pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), casts, braces, shoe inserts, and physical therapy are some of the most common treatments used for osteoarthritis.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet is caused by underlying illnesses like diabetes. It hurts and can be felt in more areas at the same time.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints of the body. It is common for individuals with RA to experience symptoms in their feet and ankles. The impact of RA can be felt in various regions including the heels, the top of the feet, the toes, and the balls of the feet. To alleviate symptoms, you can consider resting, applying ice, or taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, the use of shoe inserts can help alleviate pressure on the bones in your feet.
We hope this post has helped you with some valuable information.
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Holts Healthcare Pain & Wellness is a multi-specialty clinic based in Fayetteville, GA. Our services include Primary Care, Wellness, and Pain Management. Book your appointment with us today!
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