Foot pain is one of the most troublesome types of pain in the body. Because our feet are made up of various bones, joints, and ligaments, they are one of the most complex parts of our bodies. So foot pain can be very painful and likely to cause serious discomfort to anyone.
To better understand the pain you’re facing right now, it’s important to review what might have caused it in the first place. There are a number of reasons that could lead to foot pain, so check out the possibilities below to learn what options you have to significantly reduce pain.
#1. underlying diseases
Foot pain can be related to a number of possible medical conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, or gout. These can make your foot stiff, reduce your foot’s full range of motion, cause some swelling in your toes or other parts of your feet, and even nerve damage. If you have a history of any of these medical conditions, or even suspect you do, see your doctor right away to discuss your options for foot pain relief. Your doctor can also give you a detailed explanation of what causes your pain and how you can treat it.
#2. soccer injuries
A simple ankle sprain can go a long way, as can a muscle strain. Injuries like these can be sudden or gradual. You may have been in an accident, but you probably thought it was a minor one. In other cases, repeated stress on your feet could also have built up over time and is now causing pain.
To help you narrow down the likely cause of your foot pain, here is a brief overview of the five most common foot injuries.
- Achilles tendonitis – This condition is caused by an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This is likely due to repeated pressure on the heel, which then leads to overuse and deterioration. If you hear a pop or feel something tear along your heel, causing high levels of pain, see your doctor as soon as possible. You may have broken your Achilles heel.
- stone bruise – This occurs when an impact injury hits a bony part of your foot. Because stone bruises are unlikely to cause swelling on the surface of your feet, you may feel paranoid about the cause of the pain. However, it’s good to know that a stone bruise can be cured with home treatment (get plenty of rest, apply ice packs, and in some cases, take pain relievers). But be very patient as stone bruises are persistent and do not go away easily.
- grass finger – This develops through repeated pressure exerted on the big toe. This condition is usually seen in athletes, dancers, or sports fans. When you push your big toe up due to various activities (eg, when preparing for a sprint), the repeated occurrence will eventually lead to this injury.
- Bursitis – Bursitis not only occurs in the feet, but can also occur in various parts of the body. This is because this lesion is an inflammation of the bag-fluid pads on our body that protect our joints and help us absorb shock from the outside. To check for bursitis, here are some of the tell-tale signs: joint pain (often most painful in the morning or after walking for a long period of time), lack of range of motion, and weak foot muscles.
- Ingrown toenails – This occurs when the nails grow into the flesh surrounding the toe, causing pain, swelling, and even infection. Ingrown toenails can be hereditary or caused by other factors such as: trauma, ill-fitting shoes, fungal infections, or improper nail trimming. This usually affects the big toe, so to check if your toenails have grown in, look for a sore lump near the nail, this usually means that the nails have already grown into the flesh. Fortunately, you can treat ingrown toenails at home. However, if you see any infection or have a history of diabetes, see your doctor as soon as possible for proper medication or possibly minor surgery to remove the ingrown toenail.
#3. Inadequate or no foot care
Your lack of proper foot care could be the main cause of your own pain. Review anything you’ve done that has caused any possible stress on your feet. Here are some questions you can initially work with:
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Did I significantly expose my feet to the elements: wind, rain, etc.?
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Have I worn tight shoes lately?
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Do I stop wearing socks when wearing low-cut shoes for the sake of fashion?
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How often and for how long did I wear heels this week?
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Did I wear shoes that hurt my toes?
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Did I do any exercise that caused a lot of pressure on my feet?
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How do I take care of my feet? Do I do something to relieve the pressure on my foot?
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How often do I give my feet time to rest?
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Do I practice the correct way to cut my nails?
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Do I pamper my feet?
If you’ve answered the questions and suspect that a lack of proper foot care may be the cause of your foot pain, then start committing to healthy foot practices. Foot care is not rocket science, it is a simple case of understanding how to properly protect, maintain, groom and care for your feet. Once you’ve learned what to do, you’ll be sure to keep your feet healthy.
If you can’t find the probable cause of your foot pain here, check out this helpful chart from FamilyDoctor.org. This can help you pinpoint the exact cause of your foot pain. Just remember, a little TLC goes a long way. So start your healthy foot practices today!