Foot ache can happen as a consequence of a protracted record of well being situations. “The foot has so many bones and joints and tendons, the potential for what can go unsuitable is nearly countless,” says Alexander Peterson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Keck Drugs of the College of Southern California.
Listed below are among the commonest causes of foot ache.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs out of your heel to the ball of your foot. When this tissue turns into infected as a consequence of overuse or extreme stress on the realm, it could turn into infected and trigger ache in your heel or backside of your foot.
You’re extra more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you happen to’re in your ft all day, if you happen to work or train on a tough floor, if you happen to train with out correctly warming up, or if you happen to stroll or stand barefoot or in unsupportive footwear like flip-flops.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon runs out of your calf muscular tissues to your heel bone. When this tendon turns into injured, normally from overuse, it could trigger ache in the back of your heel.
You’re extra more likely to develop Achilles tendinitis if you happen to rapidly enhance or intensify your bodily exercise, your calf muscular tissues are tight, you run on laborious surfaces, you soar so much, or your foot abruptly turns in or out.
A bunion is a bump that types on the base of your massive toe when the bones don’t join correctly on the joint on this space. It doesn’t at all times trigger ache, however generally it causes continual ache — particularly if this bump presses in opposition to your shoe.
Bunions could cause stiffness or numbness along with ache. Mostly, they develop as a consequence of strain in your massive toe, however they will additionally occur for unknown causes. Not often, they will type on different toes, as properly.
Metatarsalgia
Your metatarsals are the bones within the entrance of your ft, beneath your toes. When this space of your foot (generally referred to as the ball of the foot) turns into infected, you’ll be able to develop ache and irritation.
Metatarsalgia mostly develops as a consequence of actions that contain operating or leaping, particularly on laborious surfaces or with out carrying shock-absorbing footwear.
Neuromas
A neuroma develops when the tissue surrounding a nerve thickens, which might trigger stinging, burning, or numbness in affected areas. A typical type is named Morton’s neuroma, which impacts the entrance, or ball, of your foot, typically between your third and fourth toes, however it could happen in between any of the toes.
Sporting high-heeled, tight, or slender toe field footwear could be linked to Morton’s neuroma. Different forms of neuromas may end up from trauma or surgical procedure in any space of the physique.
Bone and Ligament Accidents
Bone fractures and torn ligaments can happen as a consequence of sudden damage in sure athletic actions. Stress fractures in bones may develop steadily over time.
One frequent damage is a Jones fracture, or a break in your fifth metatarsal bone (behind your pinky toe). “That’s seen fairly generally in athletes and weekend warriors, or anyone who could roll their ankle,” akin to whereas carrying excessive heels, says Dr. Peterson.
Stress fractures, or incomplete breaks, are frequent in all metatarsals (the 5 bones behind your toes). Any such damage is usually seen in distance runners, Peterson notes.
Ligaments are bands of connective tissue between bones and different buildings, they usually can turn into infected or torn from overuse or damage. A typical damage in your foot is a tear in a plantar plate, which connects a toe to the remainder of your foot.
Arthritis
Several types of arthritis (joint irritation) could cause foot ache, together with:
Osteoarthritis This type of arthritis could cause ache and stiffness in any space of your ft and ankles. The massive toe and midfoot are probably the most generally affected areas, in accordance with Peterson.
Psoriatic Arthritis This situation typically causes ache behind the heel or backside of your ft.
Rheumatoid Arthritis This type of arthritis could cause ache and swelling in any space of the ft and ankles, and normally impacts each ft.
