What Can Cause Foot Pain?

Picture of a man holding his pain foot. 

• The foot is a complex skeletal (anatomical) structure that may be affected by diseases within the body or the foot itself.
• About 17% to 42% of people have/had foot pain from other conditions.
• The most common causes of foot pain are overuse activities and injury to the foot.
• There are other causes of foot pain from medical problems that include:
  • Arthritis
  • Fractures
  • Calluses, corns, and bunions
  • Morton neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Sprains 
  • Nerve problems

If your toenail turns black, it's most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma.

Foot pain can be associated with:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Insomnia
• Has difficulty sleeping
• Poor function in daily activities
• There can be limping and disability

A bunion can be very painful due to pressure and/or arthritis and lead to instability of other joints in the foot.

Common causes of foot pain include:

1. Overuse injuries (from running or other activities) and direct injuries to the foot
2. Plantar warts
3. Blisters
4. Bursitis
5. Bunions
6. Peripheral neuropathy
7. Rheumatoid arthritis
8. Peripheral vascular disease
9.  tendinitis
10. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
11. Plantar fasciitis
12. Osteomyelitis
13. Cellulitis
14. Corns
15. Gout
16. Calluses
17. Pes planus
18. Achilles tendinitis
19. Osteoarthritis
20. Hammertoes
21. Broken bones
22. Stress fractures

What Are the Risk Factors for Foot Pain Problems?

Risk factors for foot pain include injury and family history of foot pain.

All high heels boost the risk of an ankle sprain. The risk of developing osteoarthritis rises with a severe sprain or fracture of the ankle.

• Foot pain is evaluated by carefully hearing the history of the symptoms related to the foot pain (when it began, how it is aggravated, when it is relieved, etc.). It is also diagnosed by examination of the foot to evaluate swelling, warmth, redness, and tenderness.
• Close examination of the toes, toenails, underside of the foot, and the ankle will usually be part of the evaluation.
• Sometimes X-ray testing or other imaging tests, such as MRI scanning, are used to make a diagnosis of foot pain.

A doctor can develop a treatment plan that is best suited for each patient. Untreated, gout can become chronic and damage joints to a point where surgery is inevitable.

The treatment of foot pain depends on the precise cause. For example, gout can require medication or cortisone injection, while a fracture can require immobilization with casting. Surgery is the final option. 

What Home Remedies Treat and Relieve Foot Pain?

Home remedies for common foot pain include

• Cold application
• Resting
• Band-Aids 
• Vaseline gel
• Orthotics
• Pain medications

What Is the Recovery Time for Causes of Pain?

The prognosis of foot pain depends on the cause of the pain. Fractures heal after four to six weeks with immobilization and resting.

Can You Prevent Foot Pain Causes?

Foot pain can be prevented by avoiding injury or trauma to the foot. All high heels boost the risk of an ankle sprain. Look for a wide wedge or platform shoe that is nearly parallel with the ground.