7 Reasons Why You Might Have Foot Pain

Are you experiencing foot pain? If so, you're not alone. Nearly eight out of 10 people will experience foot pain at some point in their life. In this article, we'll explore seven common foot injuries and how Dr. Elton and his team can help alleviate them.

1. Plantar Fasciitis: Pain on the Bottom of Your Heel or Arch of Your Foot

When patients see Dr. Elton for heel pain, the most common cause is plantar fasciitis. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, becomes inflamed.

Plantar fasciitis is often caused by overuse activities, such as running or other high-impact activities. It can also be caused by wearing shoes that don't provide enough arch support or cushioning for the feet.

People with plantar fasciitis may experience:

Pain on the bottom of the heel
Pain in the arch of the foot
Increased pain after exercise
Pain that is worse when you wake up but lessens when you start walking

Treatments for plantar fasciitis may include stretching exercises, shoe inserts, night splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. The vast majority of patients will get better with conservative treatment.

2. Extensor Tendonitis: Pain on the Top of Your Foot

If you are experiencing pain on the top of your foot between your ankle and toes, it could be extensor tendonitis.

Extensor tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons that run along the top of the foot. These tendons are responsible for helping to raise the toes and foot. When they become inflamed, even walking can be painful.

This injury can occur from activities that put repetitive stress on the foot, such as running or dancing. It can also be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight.

Symptoms of extensor tendonitis include:

Pain on the top of your foot
Swelling
Bruising
Tight calf muscles

When treating extensor tendonitis, the goal is to reduce inflammation. Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, stretching exercises, and different shoes or orthotics are some of the treatment methods that Dr. Elton may recommend.

3. Morton's Neuroma: Pain In the Ball of Your Foot

If you feel pain on the bottom of your foot between your third and fourth toes, or it feels like you are standing on a pebble, Morton's neuroma might be to blame.

Morton's neuroma develops when the nerve between the toes becomes irritated and thickens. While the exact cause is unknown, several factors may contribute to it, including high-impact sports, foot abnormalities, and tight-fitting shoes.

Symptoms may worsen over time and commonly include:

Pain in the ball of the foot, usually between your third and fourth toes
The feeling like there is a small rock or pebble in your foot when walking
Tingling
Numbness

Treatment for Morton's neuroma usually starts with non-invasive measures such as changing footwear or using orthotics. If conservative methods fail, Dr. Elton may recommend injections or surgery.

4. Sesamoiditis: Pain Under Your Big Toe or Ball of Your Foot

If you're a runner or athlete that puts a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet, you might be prone to sesamoiditis.

Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation of the tendons attached to the two small bones under your big toe (the sesamoid bones). Symptoms often appear slowly and can include:

Dull pain under the big toes
Pain or difficulty moving the big toe
Swelling and redness
Difficulty walking

If the pain comes on immediately, it could be a fracture in the sesamoid bones.

Sesamoiditis can be treated effectively with lifestyle changes and pain relief measures such as avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, and icing the affected area.

5. Plantar Plate Injury: Sharp Pain in the Ball of Your Foot

A few conditions can cause pain in the ball of your foot, but if the problem area is localized around your second toe, a plantar plate injury may be the cause.

The plantar plate is a thickened band of connective tissue that helps to support the joint at the base of the big toe. A plantar plate injury occurs when this tissue is damaged, typically due to overuse or trauma.

When this happens, you might experience:

Sharp pain in the ball of your foot
A dull ache under your second toe
Separation between your second and third toes
The second toe may lift up and over

When treating a plantar plate injury, the goal is to reduce the load on the ball of the foot and allow the ligament to heal. This is often accomplished through activity modification, taping of the toes, custom shoe inserts, or an orthopaedic boot.

6. Stress Fracture: Pain on the Top of the Foot

A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that can happen from repetitive trauma. This overuse injury is prominent in runners or athletes participating in running-intensive sports like soccer or basketball.

Symptoms of a stress fracture of the foot can include:

Pain and tenderness on top of the foot
Bruising
Swelling
Increased pain with activity

Depending on the severity of your fracture, treatments may include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as a brace or protective footwear to reduce stress on the foot. If left untreated, a stress fracture can lead to further injury.

7. Arthritis: Pain and Stiffness in the Joints of Your Feet

The most common type of arthritis that affects the feet is osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage between the bones begins to wear down, causing them to rub against each other.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis in your feet can include:

Soreness around the joints
Stiffness
Swelling
Limited range of motion
Crunching sounds when walking

You can't cure osteoarthritis, but there are several treatment options to reduce pain and improve mobility. Treatment for osteoarthritis often includes a combination of rest, ice, heat, orthotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints.

If You're Experiencing Foot Pain, Contact Team Elton Today

Dr. Elton is the leading foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in Vail and Summit County. He and his team are known for providing compassionate, expert care and will help you get back to doing the activities you love.

Don't suffer from foot pain any longer than you have to — make an appointment with Team Elton today. Call (970) 476-7220 or use Dr. Elton's online appointment request form.