With 26 bones, 20 muscles and various tendons and ligaments, it’s fair to say that there is a lot of ways in which foot problems can develop. In fact, there are so many that it would be nearly impossible for us to fit all of them into one article. We have spoken about a lot of these problems in other articles which you can find on here, but today, we are going to take a look at a few more causes of foot pain. If you think that you have any of the conditions mentioned in this article, give us a call and make an appointment, we will be happy to help.
Soft Tissue Issues
1. Cramps – foot and calf pain which is caused by involuntary muscle spasms. They can be extremely painful, but usually only lasts a few days. In most cramp cases, there’s no cause for concern, but cramps can sometimes be an indication of an underlying condition.
2. Sprained Ligaments – a common ligament injury in the foot is a sprained ankle; this will overstretch the ligament. You are likely to feel an instability in your foot and ankle if you have a sprained ligament.
3. Tendonitis – a common cause of foot pain, occurring when one of your tendons is damaged. It typically occurs due to a repetitive overuse or from a stretching of the tendon. Tendonitis can occur in a lot of places within the foot, the most common are:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Peroneal Tendonitis
- Extensor Tendonitis
Bone Problems
1. Bone Spurs – extra layers of bone, laid down as a protective measure by the body. Bone spurs can develop due to friction from footwear, repetitive use or muscle tightness. They can rub on the soft tissue and cause a pin-prick like pain.
2. Os Trigonum Syndrome – a piece of extra bone gets stuck in the ankle joint. This will cause pain and inflammation. This condition is common in athletes and dancers.
3. Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toe – the bones in your toes can rest in hyperextended positions; this can occur due to muscular or neurological problems. The conditions are similar but have unique toe positions.
Nerve Problems
Nerve problems are a very common cause of foot pain. Some pain can stem from back pain running down the leg and into the foot or can be more localised and only present in the foot. It can also be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you have nerve problems in your foot, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.
Skin Problems
1. Athlete’s Foot – a fungal infection typically caused by poor hygiene.
2. Trench Foot – may develop after the feet are exposed to cold and damp conditions for a long period. The feet turn greyish white and will feel cold, numb, heavy and prickly.
3. Ingrown Toe Nail – your toenail may push into the surrounding skin causing pain, swelling and redness.
These are just a few common conditions from a few areas of the foot. If you would like to find out more about any of the foot conditions mentioned in this article, please take a look at the other articles on our blog, we have plenty of information about them on here. If you think you may have one of these medical conditions, make an appointment with your local GP or podiatrist to get the treatment you need.