Living Longer Than Predicted
October 18, 2011,
Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles.
See also:
Recent findings and perspectives on medical research.
Poorly fitting shoes can cause foot pain. Problems may include:
Other common causes of foot pain include:
Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.
See also: Heel pain
In-Depth Causes »The following steps may help relieve your foot pain:
Other home care steps depend on what is causing your foot pain.
Call your doctor if:
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying particular attention to your feet, legs, and back, your posture, and how you walk.
Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:
X-rays may be done to help your doctor diagnose the cause of your foot pain.
Treatment depends on the exact cause of the foot pain. Treatment may include:
The following steps can prevent foot problems and foot pain:
Koenig MD. Ligament injuries. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section C.
Baer GS, Keene JS. Tendon injuries of the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section D.
Brodsky JW, Bruck N. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section E.
Klein SE. Conditions of the forefoot. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section H.
Hirose CB, Clanton TO, Wood RM. Etiology of injury to the foot and ankle. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:section J.
Abu-Laban RV, Ho K. Ankle and foot. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 55.
Price MD, Chiodo CP. Foot and ankle pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology . 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 43.