foot pain

Introduction

Includes:

• heel pain
• metatarsalgia

Etiology

• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• bone spur
• bunions
• bursitis
• corns, calluses
• flatfeet
• fracture, stress fracture
• gout
• hammertoe, mallet toe
• high heels or poorly fitting shoes
• ingrown toenails
• metatarsalgia
• Morton's neuroma
• osteoarthritis
• peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy
• plantar fasciitis
• plantar warts
• poor posture, postural defects
• posterior tibial tendon rupture
• rheumatoid arthritis
• tarsal tunnel syndrome

Radiology

• x-ray of foot if suspected fracture

Management

• see specific etiology
• general
  • RICED: rest, ice, compression, elevation, Drugs (NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory agent)
  • substitute activities that aggravate the pain
    • running causes repetitive impact with the ground
      • bicycling, elliptical trainers, step machines, swimming, or ski machines minimize impact
  • corrective prophylactic measures
    • new shoes or the replacement of current shoe insoles
  • proper footwear fitting, including lacing & socks to eliminate compression & friction
  • additional supports added to the shoes
    • heel pads or cushions, arch supports, & various wedges to help maintain the foot in a proper position
  • athletic shoes lose the elastic properties of the soles through usage & age; replace shoes every 6 months
  • replacement insoles can increase energy absorption & add support to the foot
  • corrective and off-the-shelf orthotics may also improve the biomechanics of the foot.
  • muscle strengthening & flexibility
  • control inflammation or disease related symptoms
  • biomechanical evaluation

More general terms

• leg pain
• foot disorder

More specific terms

• heel pain
• metatarsalgia (forefoot pain)

Additional terms

• foot injury