Foot Pain
Flat Feet
What Are The General Causes Of Foot Pain?
Nearly all causes of foot pain can be categorized under one or more of the following conditions. Contact us for more information about cosmetic foot surgery
Shoes:
The causes of most foot pain are poorly fitting shoes. High-heeled shoes concentrate pressure on the toes and are major culprits for aggravating, if not causing, problems with the toes.
Poor Posture:
Improper walking due to poor posture can cause foot pain.
Inherited Conditions:
Inherited abnormalities in the back, legs, or feet can cause pain. For example, commonly one leg is shorter than the other, causing an imbalance.
Industrial Cumulative Stress:
Because of the effects of work-related repetitive stress on the hand, there has been considerable interest in the effect of work-stress on foot pain. According to one 2000 analysis, there is very little evidence for any significant impact of work on various foot disorders, including hallux valgus, neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, toe deformity, heel pain, adult acquired flatfoot, or foot and ankle osteoarthritis. In general, the foot is designed for repetitive stress and few jobs pose the same stress on the feet as many do on the hands. Nevertheless, certain professions, such as police work, are associated with significant foot pain. More research is needed.
Temporary Changes in Foot Size and Shape:
Temperature, and therefore weather, affects the feet: they contract with cold and expand with heat. Feet can change shape and increase in size by as much as 5% depending on whether a person is walking, sitting, or standing.
Medical Conditions:
Any medical condition that causes imbalance or poor circulation can contribute to foot pain.
High-Impact Exercising:
High-impact exercising, such as jogging or strenuous aerobics, can injure the feet. Common injuries include corns, calluses, blisters, muscle cramps, acute knee and ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia.
Medical Conditions Causing Foot Pain
Arthritic Conditions
Arthritic conditions, particularly osteoarthritis and gout, can cause foot pain. Although rheumatoid arthritis almost always develops in the hand, the ball of the foot can also be affected.
Diabetes
Diabetes is an important cause of serious foot disorders.
Diseases that affect muscle and motor control
Diseases that affect muscle and motor control, such as Parkinson's disease, can cause foot problems.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can cause fluid build-up and swollen feet. The effects of high blood pressure on the nervous and circulatory systems can cause pain, loss of sensation, and tingling in the feet, and can increase the susceptibility for infection and foot ulcers.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, in which bone loss occurs, can cause foot pain.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause fluid build-up and swollen feet. The increased weight and imbalance of pregnancy contributes to foot stress.
Other Diseases
Diseases that affect the nervous and circulatory systems, such as anorexia, can cause pain, loss of sensation, and tingling in the feet, as well as increase the susceptibility for infection and foot ulcers. A number of conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism, can cause fluid build-up and swollen feet.
Medications
Some medications, such as calcitonin and drugs used for high blood pressure, can cause foot swelling.
