Science Explains 10 Reasons People Get Foot Pain (2023)

FAQs

Science Explains 10 Reasons People Get Foot Pain? ›

Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain.

Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain.

Improper footwear, diabetes, and aging are some of the chief contributors to foot problems. This article will highlight some of the most common foot concerns, their causes, and when to seek treatment.

Viruses, fungi, bacteria or infections – Warts, athlete's foot and fungal nail infections are all examples of infectious diseases that can lead to foot pain. Arthritis – Our feet and ankles have many joints – and all of them could be prone to developing arthritis.

Foot pain may be telling you to lose weight, signal the onset of arthritis or result from a stress fracture. The more weight that we carry, the more pressure we put on our feet, which can cause pain. Arthritic conditions can also make your feet susceptible to pain.

“Icing can help in an acute injury,” Dr. Leonard said. “Many times, we will recommend RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) for things such as ankle sprains or foot injuries.” This simple self-care technique helps reduce swelling, ease pain and speed up healing.

Foot pain and swelling can be indicators of poor circulation, which can result from heart-related issues. Non-healing ulcers or open sores on the feet can signify anemia, blood disorders, or vascular disease. Burning or swelling in the feet may point to kidney, heart, or circulatory problems.

And many foot problems, including hammertoes, blisters, bunions, corns and calluses, claw and mallet toes, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, and athlete's foot, can develop from neglect, ill-fitting shoes, and simple wear and tear. Pain in your feet may even be the first sign of a systemic problem.

What autoimmune disease causes foot pain? ›

Foot pain is a common symptom of multiple autoimmune diseases, including: Arthritis. Diabetes. Tendonitis.

Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.

Pain in the bottom of your foot is often caused by exercise, such as running, wearing shoes that are too tight or a condition, such as Morton's neuroma. Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the bottom of the foot. Hard or cracked skin or a verruca can also cause this type of pain.

Reflex areas of central organs such as the spinal column and stomach are in both feet; the organs on the right side of the body (e.g. the liver) are on the right foot, those on the left side (e.g. the spleen) are on the left foot; lungs and kidneys are on both feet; the toes correspond with the brain and its organs.

With age, the cartilage surrounding the bones in your feet breaks down. This results in bone rubbing against bone, which as you can imagine, causes foot pain. Osteoarthritis, as it's known, usually affects people over the age of 65.

Liver disease can cause pain and swelling in the feet. When the liver isn't working right, excess fluid builds up in the lower extremities leading to edema. Peripheral neuropathy in the feet (numbness, weakness and pain caused by nerve damage) has also been associated with chronic liver disease.

Rest and ice your feet during the day. Also, consider a foot massage to stimulate circulation, reduce tension, and soothe muscles. Wear comfortable shoes that offer support without putting too much pressure on your feet. For severe pain, visit your podiatrist.

Elevate Your Legs

Using a thick pillow, prop up your legs and feet to keep them elevated while you sleep. You can also use a bed wedge for legs, which will help them stay elevated all night long. Aim for at least six inches of elevation above the heart.

Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others.

What are signs of heart failure in your feet? ›

Swelling: When heart failure happens, it can make fluid build-up in the body, causing feet and ankles to swell. This can also happen in other body parts, leading to rapid weight gain. Numbness and Pain: When these symptoms occur in the feet it can be an indication of peripheral artery disease.

Over time, diabetes may cause nerve damage, also called diabetic neuropathy, that can cause tingling and pain, and can make you lose feeling in your feet. When you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble inside your sock or a blister on your foot, which can lead to cuts and sores.

There are many reasons that foot and ankle issue develop and underlying neurological conditions are one of them. These include such issues as peripheral neuropathy, cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and certain toe deformities like hammertoe, mallet toe, and claw toe.

1. Plantar Fasciitis. One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia -- a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes -- becomes inflamed.

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes a rash on the hands and feet due to exposure to a virus. It's most common in young children. Hand-foot syndrome is a side effect of certain types of chemotherapy. It can resemble a sunburn on the palms and soles. It's also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.

Itchy feet can be a symptom of liver disease, particularly cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). These conditions cause the bile ducts in the liver to become blocked or damaged, which can lead to a build-up of bile in the body.

Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, occurs when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It can be quite painful, but it can be prevented and treated.

The length, shape and alignment of your toes largely dictates what type of feet you have. Research suggests there are at least 9 different foot types. These are: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Germanic, Peasant, Square, Stretched and Simian.

Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body's extremities, such as the hands, feet and arms, are damaged. The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. In the UK it's estimated almost 1 in 10 people aged 55 or over are affected by peripheral neuropathy.

The symptoms may be like those of arthritis, and can affect the tissue structures in the foot and ankle. Additional signs of lupus include pain and swelling in the joints of the feet, skin lesions, and tenderness. Lupus is a chronic disorder, and the percentage of people who have accompanying foot pain is high.

What is foot fibromyalgia? ›

Symptoms of fibromyalgia in feet can include swelling, irritation, and inflammation of the tissues within one or both feet. Foot pain may be exacerbated by fibromyalgia, impacting your ability to walk, stand, or exercise. The exact cause of fibromyalgia foot pain is not understood.

Some of the more common types of arthritis which may cause inflammation in the joints of the feet are gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Gout is caused when uric acid, a substance that is normally secreted in the urine, forms needle-like crystals in the joints.

Inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, increased risk of falls, fractures and bone and muscle pain. In the foot and ankle, stress fractures of the metatarsal bones and ankle may be seen in those with vitamin D deficiency, as well as generalized foot pain.

Apply heat, cold or both to your feet. Usually, cold therapy using ice is recommended for acute injuries like a sprained ankle, or if you're experiencing swelling. Heat therapy, on the other hand, can be better for chronic foot pain, as it can help soothe stiff joints and relax muscles.

For people on their feet all day at work, compression socks can help reduce fatigue, pain or swelling by increasing blood and oxygen flow in the legs and feet.

Aching feet at night or nighttime foot pain can be due to a muscular issue, a nerve problem, a bone-related pathology or injury, dermatological or skin-related conditions, an inflammatory process or a vascular concern.

Advanced symptoms

As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as: yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema)

The Heart

On the left side on the ball of the foot is said to be the place connected to the heart. It might be a bit difficult to nail but its right below the bottom of the toes. Massaging this place improves blood flow in the body and is highly beneficial to the overall circulatory system and heart health.

What part of the foot affects the brain? ›

Tucketts knows that the highest threshold of sensory information received by the brain comes from the heel and toes. Covered toes transmit less information and thus may impede postural stability. It is important to have open toes to receive accurate sensory information.

Prolonged standing, walking, and running are common causes. Obesity and improper footwear are other causes. Deformities such as flat feet and high-arched feet can also cause Plantar Fasciitis. Surgery is rarely performed for this issue.

As people age, normal wear and tear on the joints, along with weakening bones, can lead to significant foot pain. Seniors also have thinner skin with less elasticity, particularly on their feet. However, the pain they experience in their feet is often preventable.

Older toes have a propensity toward curling into "claw toes" because of muscle imbalance. And older people — especially older women — are prone to developing bunions, a misalignment of the bones in the big toe that causes the end of the metatarsal bone at the base of the toe to angle out.

Mild foot pain often responds well to home treatments. But it can take time for the pain to ease. See a health care provider for severe foot pain, especially if it comes after an injury.

Some of the most common foot problems in older adults include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, ingrown, thickened or discolored nails, diabetic foot conditions, poor circulation, and heel pain. Regular visits to a podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health as you age.

In many cases, new pain or a flare-up of long-standing foot problems should begin to settle within 6 weeks without the need to see a healthcare professional.

When should you not ignore foot pain? ›

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following: Persistent swelling. Chronic pain. Persistent numbness or tingling.

Stress and anxiety can lead to all kinds of uncomfortable symptoms, including foot pain. If you can't identify obvious signs and symptoms for your foot pain, it may be time to explore how stress and anxiety can be attributing to them.

A podiatrist is a medical professional specializing in treating foot pain. Treatments for foot pain by a podiatrist may include anti-inflammatory medication, shoe recommendations, taping, strapping, or orthotic devices. Orthotic devices correct biomechanical imbalances and control excessive pronation.

Dislocations and fractures — particularly those that damage the joint surface — are the most common injuries that lead to post-traumatic arthritis. Like osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis causes the cartilage between the joints to wear away. It can develop many years after the initial injury.

Foods high in sugar, fat, sodium, or simple carbs can cause inflammation that may worsen your arthritis symptoms. Beverages and foods to avoid when you have arthritis include: Red meat. High-fat dairy.