Foot Pain – Top 10 Causes

Foot pain is one of the most common complaints that podiatrists attend. Most of the time, foot pain can be traced to faulty biomechanics or shoes that are too small or uncomfortable. However, foot pain can also be caused by more severe conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and gout.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of foot pain and its symptoms. To do that, we will break down foot pain into different areas and describe different causes according to the location of your symptoms.

Causes of Heel Pain

Your heels are located at the back of your feet, which is where your weight comes from. If you’re not careful, your heel may begin to hurt when you walk. Your heel bone is called the calcaneus. The leading causes of pain in your heels include:

• Plantar fasciitis: It is caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the ball of the foot. Plantar fasciitis pain usually starts on the bottom of your foot but can eventually spread upwards. Plantar fasciitis pain can be extremely debilitating, and people who suffer from it often have difficulty walking.
• Heel spurs: This condition occurs when tiny bones (called osteophytes) form on the inside edge of your heel bone. These small bony bumps can pinch your heel nerve endings and cause sharp pain when you walk. Heel spurs may also cause the heel bone to enlarge or become disfigured in plain sight.
• Heel fracture: This is when the heel bone has a complete break, usually due to a fall or high-energy trauma. If you have one of those and feel a severe and sudden pain, you should see a doctor immediately to fix your heels.