Foot pain

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Leg skeletal anatomy

Normal foot x-ray

Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles.

See also:

• Ankle pain
• Heel pain

Pain - foot

Foot pain can be caused by:

• Bunions -- a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed. Bunions often develop over time from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
• Hammer toes -- toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
• Calluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on your toes.
• Plantar warts -- from pressure on the soles of your feet.
• Fallen arches -- also called flat feet.

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Poorly fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.

Morton's neuroma is a type of foot pain that is usually centered between the third and fourth toes. It results from thickening and swelling of tissue around a nerve in the area. Symptoms include tingling and sharp, shooting, or burning pains in the ball of your foot (and sometimes toes), especially when wearing shoes or pressing on the area. Pain gradually gets worse over time. Morton's neuroma is more common in women than men.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

• Broken bones
• Stress fracture
• Arthritis
• Gout -- common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bone spur
• Sprains
• Bursitis of the heel
• Tendinitis

See also: Heel pain

Review Date: 03/02/2010
Reviewed By: Dennis Ogiela, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).