This shop has been compensated by Responsival and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
When we discuss matters related to your health, our feet are often overlooked. They carry you from here to there every single day. We normally don’t give it much thought until they start to hurt. Many different areas of the foot could be causing this pain. Before you go any further, you may want to locate the area where you’re in pain. Below are 5 types of foot pain and ways to treat them.
Ball of the Foot Pain
Metatarsalgia
You feel the pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot. This happens when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly. You may also be on your feet a lot or maybe doing some running and jumping. This is called a stone bruise or metatarsalgia. There are many ways you can treat this condition. You can take pain relievers, rest, or ice your foot, or you can start looking at more comfortable shoes. As we get older, it’s not all about the brand of the shoe, but the comfort. You can also invest in some metatarsal pads to put in your shoes. The ball of foot cushions keep feet from sliding forward, reducing burning pain and preventing calluses.
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma causes a thickening of the tissue around the nerves between the bases of the toes. This is usually between the third and fourth toes. The result is you feeling pain or numbness in the ball of the foot. This is something women deal with often due to wearing high heels and tight shoes. You can treat it by taking pain relievers, getting an injection, or having a steroid shot in your foot. You could also opt for surgery or wear some inserts to reduce the pressure on the nerve.
Sesamoiditis
Near your big toe are 2 bones that are connected only by tendons, and they’re called sesamoids. You get Sesamoiditis when the tendons surrounding the sesamoids become injured and inflamed. It’s a form of tendinitis, common with runners and ballet dancers. The best treatment is resting your feet, ice, and you can tape your big toe; there are other options.
Heel Pain
We all have dealt with some pains coming from your heel. This could be plantar fasciitis, and it’s an irritation or inflammation of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. You can rest your foot, do stretches, take pain relievers, or get good shoe arc support. Below are other types of issues when it comes to the heel.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are another source of foot pain. People get these due to abnormal growth of bone on the bottom of the heel. Wearing the wrong shoes can contribute to this, as well as running or bad posture. You may have them, but not feel the pain from it. People with flat feet or high arches are more likely to have painful heel spurs. Physical therapy, wearing shoes with good arch support, cold packs, and resting are some of the treatments.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis occurs when you overuse the muscle. It causes inflammation of the tough band of tissue that attaches your calf muscles to the heel bone. To treat this, you can rest your foot, use an ice pack, or elevate the foot above your heart as much as possible.
Stone Bruise
If you experience a stone bruise, it’s a deep bruise of the fat part of the heel or ball of the foot. This usually happens on impact or when stepping on a hard object. You can rest the foot, take some pain relievers, or just ice the area to treat this.
Heel Fracture
This is one you don’t want to experience. If this happens, you either fell or it happened in a car accident. Heel pain, bruising, swelling, or trouble walking are the main symptoms. If, for some reason, this occurs, don’t put pressure on your heel. You may have to resort to crutches, wear a splint, or ask a doctor for surgery.
Arch Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
If you follow sports, then you may have heard about athletes having plantar fasciitis injuries. Plantar fasciitis can affect the heel, arch, or both. Treatment is the same no matter the location of the injury. If the pain is persistent, you may use a mixture of a steroid and a local anesthetic to help.
Flat Feet
This is something I’m too familiar with because my wife suffers from this. Flat feet happen when the arches of the feet flatten out. At work, she walks and stands a lot, and it causes her a lot of pain in her feet. She has used a cane, brace, and rest, and they are recommending physical therapy.
Toe Pain
Gout
Gout is something I’ve had friends and co-workers deal with over the years. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes pain in the foot. Crystals collect in the toe joints, causing severe pain and swelling. The big toe is often affected. Treatment consists of rest, ice, avoiding certain foods, and even medication.
Bunion
Bunions are bony bulges along the edge of the foot and next to the base of the big toe. Misalignment of the first toe joint is what this is associated with. Wearing uncomfortable shoes or shoes that don’t fit correctly can cause this. The older you get, the better chances you have of getting a bunion.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is when your second, third, or fourth toe bends at the middle joint. If this happens, it creates a hammer-like appearance on the foot. Muscle imbalance can cause this, and wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly. You may have to wear shoes with a wide, deep toe bed. There are exercises to stretch your toe muscles. If this persists, the doctor may opt for surgery.
Claw Toe
Claw toe is when the toe points down or up and is unable to straighten. If you have this, it could result in nerve damage from diseases like diabetes. You will need special footwear to help because it can weaken the muscles in the foot.
Other Toe Issues
Ingrown toenails, toe sprain, turf toe, toe fracture, corns, and calluses are other toe pains. Either way, do your best to take care of yourself and your feet.
Outer Edge of the Foot Pain
The outer edge of your foot, the fifth metatarsal bone, is a commonly broken bone in the foot. Pain, swelling, and bruising along the outer foot edge after an injury are symptoms. If you think you may have broken a bone, see a doctor and have an X-ray. Pain relievers, rest, ice, and elevating the foot are some treatments that are recommended. If the pain continues, the doctor may require you to have surgery.
