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Foot Pain
Foot pain is the most common symptom associated with plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and ankle sprains. The pain occurring with plantar fasciitis is usually sharp and occurs during the first few steps after sleeping or resting. This is because the foot and heel tissue (fascia) contracts when at rest. When this contraction is stretched, pain develops. However, once the fascia is stretched, the pain diminishes. Thus, the pain normally disappears after a few steps. The pain of an ankle sprain is usually very sharp and almost nauseating. Ankle sprain pain is associated with swelling and bruising. The most common location of ankle sprain pain is on the outside (lateral) part of the ankle over the fibula. Usually, the pain is decreased with time, rest, elevation, ice and compression. However, if pain is extreme and continues for over 48 hours, see a physician.
Heel Pain
Every mile you walk puts 60 tons of stress on each foot. Your feet can handle a heavy load, but too much stress pushes them over their limits. When your feet pound on hard surfaces from sports or shoes that irritate sensitive tissues, heel pain may develop, the most common problem affecting the foot and ankle. A sore heel will usually get better on its own without surgery given enough rest. However, many people try to ignore the early signs of heel pain and continue doing the activities that caused it. A sore heel will only get worse and could become a chronic condition leading to more problems. Surgery is rarely necessary.
Treatment
Heel pain can have many causes. See your doctor right away to determine the cause and get treatment. Tell the physician exactly where the pain is and how long the pain has persisted. Your doctor will examine the heel, looking and feeling for signs of tenderness and swelling. A patient may be asked to walk, stand on one foot or do other physical tests that help the doctor pinpoint the cause of the sore heel. Conditions that cause heel pain generally fall into two main categories: pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel.
If pain is under the heel, one or more conditions could be the cause of inflammation of the tissues on the bottom of the foot.
*Bruise. Stepping on a hard object such as a rock or stone can bruise the fat pad on the underside of the heel. It may or may not look discolored. The pain goes away gradually with rest.
*Plantar Fasciitis. Doing too much running or jumping can inflame the tissue band (fascia) connecting the heel bone to the base of the toes. The pain is centered under the heel and may be mild at first, but flares up when taking the first steps after resting overnight.
Treatment - Special exercises, medication, and wearing a heel pad may reduce swelling.
*Heel Spur. When plantar fasciitis continues for a long time, a heel spur (calcium deposit) may form where the fascia tissue band connects to the heel bone. A doctor may take an X-ray to see the bony protrusion, which can vary in size.
Treatment - Treatment is usually the same as for plantar fasciitis. This involves rest, special stretching exercises, and wearing heel pad shoe inserts.
If pain is behind the heel where the Achilles tendon inserts into the bone, the tendon or bone may be inflamed. People often get this by running too much or wearing shoes that rub or cut into the back of the heel. Pain behind the heel may build slowly over time, causing the skin to thicken and swell. A bump may develop on the back of the heel that feels tender. The pain flares up when you first starting an activity after resting. It often hurts too much to wear normal shoes. An X-ray may be needed to detect a bone spur.
Arch Pain
Arch pain, or strain, is most often felt as a burning sensation along the long arch of the foot. There are a number of possible causes for this pain, but the most common are structural problems of the foot and stretching of the plantar fascia that supports the foot.
The latter is a common condition suffered by many athletes called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis results when the arch is excessively stretched, sometimes due to the condition known as flat feet. The resulting inflammation often leads to considerable pain in the arch and heel areas. The pain can be extreme after prolonged periods of rest such as after a good night’s sleep.
If the strain on the arch continues over a period of time and left untreated, a bony protrusion may develop. This is called a bone spur and it is important to have it treated.
Treatment
A complete diagnosis from a health professional is essential in the management of arch pain. Advice should be sought on the adequacy of footwear. Women should avoid high-heeled shoes. Both men and women should select footwear that has a reasonable heel with soft leather uppers, shock absorbing soles, and removable foot insoles. In addition, stretching exercises for the calf muscles and the arch may be needed. Remember to continue with stretching exercises long after the symptoms are gone. Activity levels and the types of activities (both work- and sports-related) may need to be modified to aid in recovery. |
