![Many conditions can cause foot pain, including plantar fasciitis, fractures/stress fractures, heel spurs, corns, bunions, metatarsalgia, arthritis (inflammation of the joints), Morton's neuroma, hammertoes, posterior tibial tendonitis, turf toe (hyperextended great toe), and tarsal tunnel syndrome.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/xl-sq-promos/why-are-my-hands-and-feet-tingling.jpg?output-quality=75)
The foot is made up of 26 bones, which are connected by numerous tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles.
When the foot is injured, it can result in different types of foot pain and inflammation, which may cause reduced mobility and movement.
Because there are so many different types and causes of foot pain, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
There are numerous causes of foot pain, which are mentioned in the table below.
Foot Problem/Condition | Symptoms |
---|---|
Plantar fasciitis |
|
Fractures/stress fractures |
|
Heel spurs |
|
Corns |
|
Bunions |
|
Metatarsalgia |
|
Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) |
|
Morton’s neuroma |
|
Hammertoes |
|
Posterior tibial tendonitis |
|
Turf toe (hyperextended great toe) |
|
Tarsal tunnel syndrome |
|
What Is the Treatment for Foot Pain?
Treatment for foot pain depends on the cause.
For many causes of foot pain, the RICE method is used:
- Rest and stay off your feet as much as possible
- Ice the affected area
- Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a towel
- Ice 20 minutes at a time, several times a day
- Compression with a compression bandage or stocking
- Elevate the affected foot
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) may be used for pain.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stretching
- Shoe inserts
- Tape support
- Protective footwear
- Steroid injections for pain, though the effects usually only last a few weeks
- Walking cast
- Shockwave therapy
- Surgery (usually the last resort)
- Fractures/stress fractures
- Heel spurs
- Proper stretching before activity
- Appropriate footwear or shoe inserts
- Steroid injections
- Surgery for severe, prolonged conditions
- Corns
- Wearing shoes that fit properly or larger shoes that don’t rub
- Using pads around the corn
- Shaving the layers of dead skin to trim the corn
- Surgery
- Bunions
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes that do not cause pressure areas
- Apply pads to the affected area
- Surgery for pain
- Metatarsalgia
- Wear arch supports or orthotics
- Wear sturdy shoes with a metatarsal insert
- Surgery to correct the position of the foot bones
- Arthritis
- Minimize or avoid activities that cause or worsen pain
- Low impact exercises such as swimming or cycling are preferred over high impact activities such as running
- Physical therapy
- Weight loss if overweight
- Assistive devices such as braces, shoe inserts (orthotics), or custom-made shoes with stiff soles and rocker bottoms
- Steroid injections for pain (effects usually only last a few weeks)
- Surgery, for cases that do not respond to non-surgical treatment
- Morton’s neuroma
- Wear shoes that do not restrict the foot
- Cortisone injections
- Surgery if the problem persists
- Hammertoes
- Apply a toe pad specially positioned over the bony protrusion
- Change footwear to accommodate the deformed toe
- Surgical removal
- Posterior tibial tendonitis
- Immobilization with a short leg cast or walking boot for 6 to 8 weeks
- Orthotics
- Braces
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injection
- Surgery, only if pain does not resolve after 6 months of non-surgical treatment
- Turf toe
- Taping the big toe to the smaller toes to restrict motion (“buddy taping”)
- Immobilization for several weeks with a walking boot or cast
- Physical therapy
- Surgery, if symptoms persist or the level of athletic play is affected
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Orthotics
- Shoe modification
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery to decompress the tibial nerve at the ankle for those who do not respond to conservative therapy
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/metatarsalgia-the-basics?search=metatarsalgia%20patient%20info&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~24&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-foot-and-ankle
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/stress-fractures/
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction/
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/turf-toe/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-lower-extremity-peripheral-nerve-syndromes?search=%E2%80%A2%09Tarsal%20tunnel%20syndrome&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~25&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#H27
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/foot-pain-and-problems