Table of Contents
Common Causes of Foot Pain
Apart from lifestyle choices, certain medical conditions are major causes of mild to moderate foot pain including diabetes and arthritis. Let us have a look at some of these conditions;
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Achilles Tendinitis
A common cause of foot pain for runners, Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of Achilles. It is the largest tendon -the band of tissues that connects our calf muscles to our heel bones. A serious case of Achilles tendinitis calls for surgical repair.
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Bursitis
Bursitis occur when bursae -the small fluid filled sacs that cushions the bones, tendon and muscles near our joint -becomes inflamed. It commonly targets our knee, heel and the base of our big toe. Recurrent condition of bursitis is usual even after the treatment is taken.
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Corns and Calluses
There is difference between these two conditions. While corns tend to develop on top -such as toes or middle of toes, calluses develop on the soles of our feet- especially heels. According to a research, females develop this condition often than men.
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Hammertoe
A hammertoe is a deformity which causes an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. It occurs due to imbalance in the muscles, tendons and ligaments that holds the toe straight. Common causes may include putting on ill-fitted shoes or having arthritis. In most cases, it is treatable according to its severity.
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Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of our feet. They can occur with activities such as running or having wrong body posture or even abnormal style of walking. Usually people having flat feet undergo painful heel spurs.
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Ingrown Toenails
Usually affecting our big toe, they are a common condition in which the side or the corner of the toenail grows into a soft flesh resulting in pain, swelling or inflection. Having diabetes increases the risk of complication of ingrown toenails.
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Plantar Fasciitis
The most common causes of foot pain, plantar fasciitis results from the irritation of plantar fascia -the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of our foot. If you experience foot pain at night, it might be a sign of this condition.
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Turf Toe
Turf toe occurs when the big toe bends back beyond its normal range of motion. Majorly resulting from sport activities, this condition is commonly reported by football players, basketball players and wrestlers.
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Osteoarthritis
It is a type of arthritis that occurs when the flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down due to wear and tear or age factor. The other name of osteoarthritis is degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis because it is caused by joint damage.
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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Similar to carpel tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist, tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression on the posterior tibial nerve. It is vitally important to treat this condition on urgent basis since it carries the risk of permanent nerve damage.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Foot Pain
Let us take a look at the distinct symptoms and diagnosis of above mentioned conditions of foot pain;
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Achilles Tendinitis
The major symptom of Achilles tendinitis is pain and swelling at the back of our heel when we walk or run. Other symptoms include tight calf muscles and limited range of motion.
Diagnosis-
If you experience continuous pain around Achilles tendinitis, see a doctor. Immediate medial assistance should be taken if the pain is severe because there is chance of rupturing Achilles tendon. The doctor will examine the flexibility and range of motion by gently pressing the affected area. He or she may take X-ray or Ultrasound.
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Bursitis
The affected joint might feel stiff when you have bursitis. Along with that your joint might hurt more when you try to move it and it may look swollen.
Diagnosis-
The doctor will perform a physical examination to diagnose bursitis. He/she will take blood tests and samples from the affected bursae if it becomes necessary.
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Corns and Calluses
If you notice a thick, rough area of skin and a raised bump on top of your foot, you may have a corn. The symptoms of callus include dry and flaky skin along with pain under it.
Diagnosis-
In most cases, corns and calluses disappear on their own when the friction or the pressure stops affecting the skin. Although in severe cases, the doctor may shave the top of callus to reduce the thickness.
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Hammertoe
Mild symptoms of hammertoe include difficulty while walking or running, corns and calluses, toe bending downwards and inability to wiggle our toes.
Diagnosis-
A podiatrist will examine the foot to diagnose hammertoe. For further evaluation, X-ray imaging might be taken. If the condition is severe, amputation of the second toe is considered in elderly patients.
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Heel Spurs
The symptoms of heel spur includes pain and swelling at the front of our heel. They may spread to the arch of your foot as well. Some heel spurs may cause no symptoms at all, thus making them difficult to diagnose.
Diagnosis-
Ultrasound or X-ray imaging of the foot is used to diagnose the spur of the heel bone. If the spur is symptomatic, identifying the underlying diagnosis such as Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis is required.
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Ingrown Toenails
The early stage of this condition include symptoms like tender or swollen skin next to the toe nail. Gradually bleeding and oozing pus is experienced along with overgrowth of skin around the toe. Call your doctor immediately to avoid worsening symptoms.
Diagnosis-
Unless your toe is infected, the doctor will take a physical exam to diagnose this condition. X-ray might be taken to asses how deep the nail has grown into the skin in case of infected ingrown toenail.
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Plantar Fasciitis
It causes a stabbing pain in the bottom of our foot near the heel. The pain seems to be worse after waking up in morning or standing after having sat for a long period of time. Occasionally, sufferers also report a burning sensation in the affected foot.
Diagnosis-
There is no requirement of X-ray imaging for the initial diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. It is primarily based on history of the foot pain and physical examination. Ultrasound or MRI is reserved to rule out other possibilities of foot conditions.
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Turf Toe
The symptoms of turf toe develop slowly and repetitive injury may worse it overtime. Common symptoms include swelling or sensitivity around the big toe and limited toe movement.
Diagnosis-
The doctor will look for symptoms and test the range of motion to diagnose turf toe. He/she might take X-ray or MRI only if the injury is severe and to rule out other fracture and other serious injury.
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Osteoarthritis
Stiffness or swelling in the joint are common symptoms of osteoarthritis. There is a reduction in weight-bearing ability. In certain cases, walking or moving also becomes difficult.
Diagnosis-
During the physical examination, the doctor will look for swelling or range of motion of the affected joint. He/she may recommend X-ray imaging or MRI and other lab tests such as joint fluid analysis to further evaluate the condition.
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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Patients with this syndrome experience a sensation similar to an electric shock usually on the bottom of the foot or on the inside of the ankle. In some cases it may extent to the heel, arch, calf or toes.
Diagnosis-
The podiatrist will check the foot to arrive at a diagnosis and determine if there is any loss of feeling. He/she will look for any small mass present on the affected area. Advanced imaging tests such as nerve condition velocity and electromyography (NCV/EMG) may be done in case of severe case.
