What if the bottom of your foot hurts

Many conditions and factors can lead to neuropathy, including diabetes, injuries that cause nerve compression, autoimmune disorders, certain medications and treatments like chemotherapy, and vascular disorders. Neuropathy can also develop from abnormal vitamin levels, alcoholism, other health conditions like kidney or liver disease, or as an inherited condition. It is more common in people over 65, people with diabetes, those who have undergone chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and people with HIV.

Sesamoid stress fractures are caused by overusing the tendons around the sesamoid bones, which usually occurs in athletes and dancers. People with high foot arches or flat feet, or those whose feet roll inward when walking, can also get this type of fracture from walking.

Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! American Podiatric Medical Assocation. Schwartz EN, Su J.

Plantar fasciitis: a concise review. Perm J. Study of the metatarsal formula in patient with primary metatarsalgia. Rev Bras Ortop. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. Florida Podiatric Medical Association. What is podiatric medicine?

J Pain Res. Thiagarajah AG. How effective is acupuncture for reducing pain due to plantar fasciitis? Singapore Med J. Cleveland Clinic. Neuropathy peripheral neuropathy. Updated December 16, Updated August, 6, Foot exercise plus education versus wait and see for the treatment of plantar heel pain FEET trial : a protocol for a feasibility study. J Foot Ankle Res. Foot pain and mobility limitations in older adults: the framingham foot study.

Foot pain and pronated foot type are associated with self-reported mobility limitations in older adults: the framingham foot study. Associations of foot posture and function to lower extremity pain: the framingham foot study. Arthritis Care Res Hoboken. Your Privacy Rights.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Possible Causes. When to See a Healthcare Provider. Got Plantar Fasciitis? Try These Stretches to Find Relief. Frequently Asked Questions What causes peripheral neuropathy in the feet? The more pressure, the worse it hurts. It may even hurt when you are standing or sitting still. You may feel like there is a big and deep bruise on your heel or arch. It may feel worse in the morning, or after taking a few steps, or at the end of the day.

You do not have to be an athlete to experience this. In fact, anyone can experience pain in the bottoms of their feet, even if they are not particularly active. So what is causing it and how can you make the pain go away?

Your foot is a pretty complicated body part. It is made up of a lot of small bones and tissues that work together like a complex machine to give your feet the stability and structure you need to walk and stand. Cunha says. Icing it and compressing the injury any wrap will do can help tamp down on swelling and ease your pain, he says.

Finally, you want to elevate your foot say, on top of a pillow to ease the pressure. The result is tendonitis, and runners are particularly susceptible, she says, as are those who regularly wear high heels. Other potential, though not as common, causes include inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. The sooner you nip this problem in the bud, the better, Dr.

Fuchs says, which is why she recommends avoiding any activity that aggravates your pain for a week to a month. When you feel even a little twinge, ice the area ASAP. Your doctor may also suggest you take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like Motrin or Advil to ease your discomfort and quiet the inflammation. Most metatarsal issues happen when something changes in the way your foot normally works, impacting how your weight is distributed, Dr.

This can put extra pressure on the ball of our foot, leading to inflammation and pain. Sometimes one thing can cause metatarsalgia, but usually several factors play a role, like doing intense training. Other than that, resting, icing, and using oral and topical anti-inflammatories can help, Dr. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is actually similar to carpal tunnel syndrome—just in your feet.

This can result in pain, numbness, and tingling , often due to a previous ankle injury or having flatfeet. RICE is a good solution, Dr. This condition causes pain in the ball of your foot that commonly radiates toward your third and fourth toes, says Dr.

The repetitive pounding on hard surfaces can cause trauma to the nerves that lead to your toes. One thing you can do for quick relief is to massage the space between the metatarsals, Dr. Make an appointment with your doc to do an X-ray to rule out other problems, and follow up with an ultrasound or MRI, which are better diagnostic tools for revealing soft tissue abnormalities.

Then, you may be in for a new-shoe shopping spree, as ill-fitting shoes contribute to your problem and make the pain worse, says Dr. Sutera also recommends wearing a variety of shoes and tossing out shoes with uneven or damaged soles.

Arthritis happens when the cartilage in your joints begins to wear down and cause inflammation. When it comes to feet, it usually impacts the big toe joint, but it can also crop up in other joints, Dr. Arthritis can usually be traced back to former injuries and traumas like broken bones and sprains, but one of the biggest factors is age, since your cartilage wears down over time, he explains.

Symptoms usually include tenderness and pain, stiff and swollen joints, and trouble walking or bearing weight. There are a bunch of different treatment options when it comes to arthritis, and Dr.