The soles of your feet are complex structures. They have many bones, many muscles, and a lot of nerves. As a result, there are many ways for them to be injured and cause you pain. Fortunately, most cases of Foot pain can be diagnosed by your doctor if you ask for second opinions or get the proper tests done on your feet. But some kinds of foot pain are more difficult to identify than others, as discussed below:
Plantar fasciitis
A usual cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to your toes is called the plantar fascia. It causes heel pain on becoming inflamed but can also cause pain along the sole of your foot and even extend into your arch.
The symptoms associated with Plantar Fasciitis include:
- Heel pain first thing in the morning
- Pain when walking or running
- Pain when going upstairs
- Pain while standing for long periods (standing for more than 5 minutes)
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
This compression of the tibial nerve runs through the tarsal tunnel. This compression can occur from swelling, inflammation, or an injury to the foot. The most prevalent cause is wearing high-heeled shoes regularly because they pressure your foot and ankle. Other causes include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and even standing for long periods during work (especially without proper support).
The symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include:
- Pain in one or both feet – usually worse at night
- Feeling like there’s something stuck under your toes, often worse after sitting down for long periods
- Numbness, burning, or tingling sensations in one or both feet
Morton’s neuroma
This is a benign nerve disorder. The pain can come and go, but it often comes on after standing or walking for a long time. It is caused by the nerve that runs between your toes, which becomes irritated and swollen when you wear shoes that are tight or have pointed toes. Your podiatrist will examine your foot to see if there is swelling in this area and check how much pressure you apply when walking on your heels. This is called the “heel pad sign.”
Stress fractures
These are common causes of Foot pain. They occur when the bones in your feet are subjected to excessive pressure, causing them to break or crack. You will most likely experience pain if you have a stress fracture with activity and mild swelling. This can be difficult to manage if you have multiple stress fractures because they may result in serious health problems such as arthritis or even an inability to walk comfortably.
If your doctor suspects this condition, they may recommend wearing supportive shoes for running or walking. These sneakers feature a mesh upper that allows airflow throughout the shoe while also offering to cushion around crucial areas like the arch support and heel cup for shock absorption on impact.
Nerve injury
This can be due to trauma or surgery.
- Nerve injury is also common in people with diabetes.
- In people with arthritis, the joint damage can compress nerves and cause them to hurt.
- Infection can cause nerve problems by irritating the area around it and causing swelling in your foot or ankle.
- Sometimes a nerve becomes trapped under another part of your body. This is called nerve compression, and it’s most often associated with being overweight and wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly.
Conclusion
Most pain in the feet is not severe and usually goes away independently. However, if you have persistent foot pain that doesn’t go away, you must consult a doctor and get diagnosed.