This week’s articles are going to focus on the bottom of the foot and the pain that can be felt in this area. We will be focusing closely on the arch as many people in the UK have a condition that can give them a pain in the arch of their foot. If you think that you may have a problem with your feet, hopefully this week’s articles can help.
5 possible causes of arch pain
1. Flat Feet
Babies are born with flat feet, the feet then arch gradually as we age. In 30% of people, however, they don’t arch at all. Most people that have flat feet do not have any pain associated with them, but some do develop pain around the arch, knee and back.
2. Plantar Fascia issues
It is very common for pain in the arch of the foot to be an issue with the fibrous band of tissue that runs underneath your feet known as the plantar fascia. If this tissue is stretched too far, it can lead to pain. Most commonly, problems with the plantar fascia occur when rapidly increasing activity levels or if your foot position has been altered. You will usually have pain in the mornings or when resting after activity.
3. Foot Cramps
This condition is caused by the muscles in your foot suddenly spasming. They can occur anywhere in the foot or lower leg but typically occur in the arch of your foot. Typically there is no reason why this condition begins, but it can be caused by diet, muscle weakness or tightness, dehydration, fatigue or reduced circulation.
4. Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
This condition can occur either because of repetitive use or from injury. It is a common condition that affects footballers, tennis players and other high-impact sports players. The tibial tendon in your foot will become inflamed and possibly torn which results in pain in the bottom of your foot. A simple test for this condition is to stand on one leg and try and rise to your tiptoes, if you can’t you may have this condition.
5. Medical Conditions
Medical conditions can affect the feet even though they may not have started in the feet. Some of these medical conditions include obesity, arthritis and diabetes. They can affect the strength and position of the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments which can lead to pain in the bottom of the foot.
What to do next
If you think that you have any of the conditions mentioned above, speak with your GP or a local podiatrist who will be able to recommend the best treatment for you. Do not attempt to treat the condition until you know exactly what it is. Treating it before knowing what it is, may lead to complications and a longer recovery time.
If this article hasn’t provided you with the answer to your pain, please come back on Friday as we have another article coming out then with another 5 possible causes of pain in the bottom of the foot. Alternatively, you can make an appointment with one of our podiatrist’s who can examine your foot and provide you with the treatment that you need.