The foot can be the seat of many mechanical or inflammatory pains that drastically reduce mobility on a daily basis. Pain when walking, when waking up, fracture, inflammation, sciatica, hallux valgus… Overview of the most common causes with our sports doctor.
What causes foot pain when walking?
A pain under the foot while walking can be the sign of many pathologies, depending on its location:
► The skin : a more or less deep and extensive skin lesion or wound. Walking on a cut is painful. Below the skin there is a small amount of fat which may be the site of inflammation.
► The plantar fascia : this membrane which extends from the heel to the toes helps maintain the arch of the foot. It can crack or tear suddenly following trauma and cause a bruise on the sole of the foot. This membrane can also be responsible for progressive pain related to the collapse of the arch of the foot.
► The lumbrical muscles : these are intrinsic muscles that are found in the foot and can sometimes have lesions.
► Tendon lesions of the arch of the foot : there are many tendons which pass, in particular the flexor tendons of the toes.
► A swelling of the nerves : the best known is called Morton’s syndrome. The nerve between the second and third spaces of the metatarsals (foot bones) is irritated.
► The bones and joints : can be the seat of a joint derangement which can be remedied by mobilization techniques.
► A stress fracture : people who run a lot can get stress fractures, especially in the metatarsals, which are put to use during the race.
► Referred pain that comes from ankle, knee, sciaticaa postural disorder, a metabolic disorder and in particular a gout attack in the big toe, or pain in the nail.
What causes sore feet when waking up?
A pain under the foot on waking is generally linked to a mechanical phenomenon: waking up in support of a plantar fasciitis, arthritis or osteoarthritis. Being overweight can also be the cause of pain under the foot on waking, given the weight on it.
What is the cause of a sore under the heel?
The main cause of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis Or plantar fasciitis, which corresponds to connective tissue pain that extends from the toes to the heel. “When this tissue, called the plantar aponeurosis, pulls excessively on the heel, there is a pulling pain at the attachment of this membrane on the heel. This has nothing to do with the calcaneal spur which is a natural outgrowth of bony evolution from the heel. This pathology can be favored by wearing unsuitable shoes, overweight, flat feet, prolonged standing or even a sustained and regular sports practice. It is often linked to a postural disorder with inappropriate traction of the posterior calf-Achilles tendon-heel-foot muculotendinous chain., explains Dr. Marc Rozenblat. Heel pain can also be due to trauma or tendinopathy of the heel. Achilles’ tendon.
What is the cause of pain in the front of the foot?
Pain in the front of the foot is called metatarsalgia. Most often, it is linked to the wearing of unsuitable shoes, hollow foot, too intense practice of a sports activity or to a Hallux valgus. “It can also be a Morton syndrome, which results in irritation of the nerves located at the front of the foot; of one sesamoiditis, pain in the two small bones under the metatarsal head of the big toe; or even a forefoot joint pain (metatarsophalangeal joints)”adds the sports doctor.
When to worry and who to consult?
In case of pain under the foot which persists for more than 5 daysyou should consult your doctor. This one will be able to establish a first diagnosis with the clinical examination which will be confirmed or not by complementary examinations, in particular of imagery and biology. If necessary, the patient can be referred to a sports doctor and/or a prescription may be ordered to a massage therapist.
“The first reflex to adopt to relieve pain under the foot, whatever it is, is to put the foot in relief thanks to the application of the technique BRIEF : bandage, resting, elevation, cold. Thereafter, it is essential to use one or more two canes-crutches for walking in order to limit the impact on the foot”, inform the specialist. At the same time, there is a whole range of specific treatments for the skin, tendons, nerves and muscles. Special shoes which allow only the heel to be placed can also be prescribed, in particular for people suffering from a pathology of the forefoot. Watch out for anti-inflammatories though. which are prescribed a little too easily, according to the sports doctor. “In case of recent pain, you should know that, whatever the damaged tissue, inflammation is the first phase of healing. Anti-inflammatories are certainly effective on pain, but they block the inflammatory process, thus delaying the healing process.“, warns Dr. Marc Rozenblat. In general, sporting activities that put an impact on the foot should be avoided and interrupted for the duration of healing. Other compensation activities may then be advised. Depending on the pathology in question, wearing foot orthotics can also be recommended.
Thank you to Dr. Marc Rozenblat, sports doctor, President of the National Union of Sports Doctors and the French Society of Orthopedic Manual Medicine and Medical Osteopathy.