Foot Pain

Why does my foot hurt?

Foot pain is common, but with treatment, you can eliminate your pain and lessen its impact on your quality of life. If your foot pain is mild, you may be able to ease the pain by simply choosing more comfortable, well-cushioned shoes, stretching before exercising, keeping up with foot hygiene, and maintaining a healthy weight. There are some forms of foot pain, however, that require physical therapy for adequate pain relief.

Plantar fasciitis is a form of foot pain that affects the heel and the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis can feel like a stabbing pain in your foot, making it very difficult to walk properly. Sometimes the pain is stronger in the morning when you take your first steps of the day and will often decrease throughout the day. If you stand for a long time throughout the day or stand up suddenly, the pain from plantar fasciitis may return. Foot pain of all kinds is common for runners and people who wear shoes without sufficient support. Plantar fasciitis physical therapy can help relieve foot pain and get you back to feeling like yourself again.

What are some common symptoms?

Symptoms of foot pain:

• Pain in arch of the foot
• Pain in toes
• Heel pain
• Swollen feet
• Weakened feet
• Trouble standing
• Inability to walk upstairs
• Pain while walking
• Pain getting out of bed
• Pain standing up from a seated position

What are some reasons for foot pain?

Possible reasons for foot pain:

• Toe sprain
• Bone spur
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Avulsion fracture
• Broken foot
• Broken toe or toes
• Stress fractures in the foot
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Gout
• Flat foot
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Haglund’s deformity
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Osteomyelitis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Raynaud’s disease

What are some treatment options?

Treatment of foot pain:

• Foot orthotics
• Heel padding
• A night splint
• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Gait training