What to Know About Bottom of Foot Pain |
Posted: January 27, 2023 |
It's natural to wonder why the bottom of your foot hurts. In fact, 77% of adults report that foot pain has impacted their lives in some way. Whether your foot pain is in the toes or the heel, it can affect you with every step. Symptoms may range from a shooting pain to a constant ache, depending on the injury or condition. This article discusses the anatomy of your foot as well as common causes of pain. It also discusses when you should see your doctor and a few treatments that may help relieve bottom-of-foot pain. CausesPlantar FasciitisThe plantar fascia is a tissue band extending from your heel bone to the base of your toes. Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia, is one of the most common causes of foot pain. This results in sharp, stabbing pains in your heel or the middle of your foot along the sole. Having flat feet or a very high arch, being overweight or obese, wearing shoes with poor arch support, walking, running, or standing a lot on hard surfaces, walking barefoot, being pregnant, and having pronated feet are all risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis. MetatarsalgiaPain and inflammation in the ball of the foot are referred to as metatarsalgia. This is the space between your metatarsal bones and the arch of your foot. The pain in the ball of the foot is frequently described as sharp, aching, or burning. It may worsen when you stand, run, walk, or flex your feet. According to one study, 80% of people will experience metatarsalgia at some point. It is more common in people who engage in high-impact activities that strain the bottoms of their feet, such as running or jumping. Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is nerve pain caused by nerves located outside of the spinal cord and on the body's edges. It is caused by damaged or misfiring nerves and causes foot pain in many people who have a chronic illness. Diabetes, heavy alcohol use, Lyme disease, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus are examples of conditions that harm the peripheral nerves. Injuries to your peripheral nerves, such as a gunshot wound, an electrical injury, or a drug injection injury, are also possible causes. NeuromaA neuroma is a clump of nerve cells that is abnormal. It usually forms between the toes after an injury. A neuroma is more common in women than in men. A neuroma is similar to a pebble in your shoe. It is most commonly found between the second and third or third and fourth toes. Sesamoiditis or Sesamoid Stress FractureThe sesamoids are two small bones located beneath the big toe pad. They aid in support of the tendon that flexes this toe. These bones can become overburdened. This results in sesamoiditis, which is characterized by dull pain and inflammation at the base of the big toe. A stress fracture may develop if the overload is severe. When to See a DoctorBottom-of-foot pain can sometimes go away on its own after a few days. Other times, it develops into a chronic condition that has an impact on your quality of life. Therefore, it is critical to obtain an accurate diagnosis before beginning treatment and making any lifestyle changes to alleviate pain on the bottom of your foot. In general, your primary care provider (PCP) should be the first person you see if you have foot pain, an injury, or another condition. They may refer you to a podiatrist (foot specialist) or orthopedist based on their assessment (bone specialist). If your primary care physician suspects that your foot pain is caused by a nerve condition such as peripheral neuropathy or Guillain-Barré syndrome, he or she may refer you to a neurologist.
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