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What Is Foot Pain?
Foot pain occurs when you have discomfort in any part of your foot. It can range from mild to severe and may get worse with standing or walking.
What causes foot pain?
Foot pain can be caused by conditions including:
- Arthritis — Arthritis, and a type of arthritis called gout, can cause the joints in your toes to become painful and swollen. Gout commonly affects the big toe.
- Injury — Foot pain can result from broken bones, bruising, sprains, stress fractures, and tendon or ligament problems.
- Musculoskeletal conditions — Bunions, hammer toes, fallen arches, and heel spurs are common causes of foot pain.
- Nerve disorders — Nerve damage resulting from diabetes and a condition called Morton’s neuroma may result in foot pain.
- Plantar fasciitis — Plantar fasciitis happens when the tissue on the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toe becomes inflamed.
- Skin conditions — Plantar warts, calluses, and corns can cause foot discomfort.
What causes foot pain without injury?
There are many causes of foot pain without injury, including arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, nerve disorders, plantar fasciitis, and skin conditions.
What are foot pain risk factors and complications?
Foot pain risk factors
You may be at increased risk of foot pain if you:
- Are older.
- Are on your feet for long periods of time at your job.
- Are overweight or obese.
- Have a foot deformity.
- Have an injury to your foot.
- Walk or run long distances.
- Wear poorly fitting shoes, shoes without sufficient cushioning, or high heels.
Complications of foot pain
Other than pain and discomfort, most cases of foot pain do not cause serious complications.
However, certain types of foot pain can cause complications, including:
- Circulation problems — If you have diabetes or problems with blood flow and have pain in your feet, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- Improper healing — Left untreated, foot fractures and other injuries may not heal properly.
- Reduced mobility — Untreated foot pain can cause problems with walking, which could make you more likely to have a fall or other accident.
- Ulcers and sores — Open skin wounds can become infected and increase the risk of life-threatening complications, such as sepsis.
How can I prevent foot pain?
Not all types of foot pain can be prevented. However, you may reduce your risk by taking good care of your feet.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Avoiding foot strain during exercise — When exercising, be sure to warm up and gradually increase the intensity of your routine, especially when running.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight — Losing weight can reduce pressure on your feet.
- Stretching — Stretching your feet can help reduce the risk of injury and promote proper foot mechanics.
- Wearing supportive footwear — Comfortable, well-fitting shoes with a wide toe box, cushioning, and arch support can help prevent foot pain, especially if you work in a job that requires standing or walking. Women should avoid high heels or narrow-toed shoes and opt for sneakers when possible.
How common is foot pain?
Foot pain is very common, especially among athletes, older people, and people with jobs requiring standing or walking.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Foot Pain?
Foot pain can cause different sensations depending on your condition.
Sensations may include:
- A dull ache.
- Burning.
- Numbness.
- Sharp pain with movement.
- Stiffness.
- Tingling.
- Warmth.
- Weakness.
Other symptoms may include redness, swelling, or thickened skin on your feet.
Why do the bottoms of my feet hurt so bad?
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the bottom of the foot. Other conditions that may cause pain include nerve disorders, heel spurs, bruising, or overuse.
Only your doctor can determine the cause of your foot pain. If your pain doesn’t improve after one to two weeks of home care, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
When should I see a doctor about my foot pain symptoms?
You should see a doctor about your foot pain if:
- It is sudden, severe, or occurs after an injury.
- You have an open sore or ulcer on your foot.
- You have foot pain along with a fever.
- You have foot pain and diabetes or another condition that affects blood flow.
- You have redness or swelling around one of your joints.
- Your foot pain doesn’t improve after one to two weeks of at-home care.
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How Do You Diagnose Foot Pain?
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests to diagnose the cause of your foot pain.
What to expect during your visit
During your visit, your doctor will:
- Ask about any medications you’re taking.
- Ask about recent activities or injuries.
- Order imaging tests.
- Perform a physical exam.
- Review your health history.
Tests to diagnose foot pain
Tests to diagnose foot pain include:
- CT scan — A CT scan is a test that creates images of your bones, nerves, and tissues.
- Electromyography (EMG) — Sometimes called an electromyogram, an EMG allows a doctor to record and study the electrical activity of your muscles.
- MRI scans — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within your body.
- Nerve conduction study (NCS) — An NCS measures the speed of electrical activity passing through your nerves.
- X-ray — X-ray is a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Foot pain prognosis
Most cases of foot pain will improve with nonsurgical treatment. However, you may need surgery to treat your foot pain — especially if it is severe or caused by a bone problem or injury. After treatment, most people with foot pain experience improved symptoms and can continue doing the activities they enjoy.
Should I keep walking with foot pain?
Whether it is safe to keep walking with foot pain depends on the cause. You should talk to your doctor about your foot pain and ask if continuing to walk is safe for you.
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How Do You Treat Foot Pain?
The goals of foot pain treatment are to reduce symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the cause of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.
Treatment options may include:
At-home care
If you have foot pain that is causing mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend at-home care, including:
- Heat and/or ice.
- Over-the-counter medications to manage pain.
- Physical therapy.
- Rest.
What is the best painkiller for foot pain?
Several over-the-counter painkillers can help you manage foot pain. Your doctor will let you know which over-the-counter painkiller is safe for you and will provide the best relief for your symptoms.
Lifestyle changes
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as:
- Losing weight.
- Reducing time on your feet, either temporarily or permanently.
- Stretching to relieve muscle pain.
- Wearing more supportive footwear.
Splints and casts for foot pain
If your foot pain is caused by a broken bone, sprain, or stress fracture, your doctor may recommend a splint or cast to hold your foot in place as it heals. If your foot pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, your doctor may give you a splint to wear at night to gently stretch your foot while you sleep.
Orthotics to treat foot pain
Your doctor may recommend orthotics or shoe inserts to help treat your foot pain. Depending on your needs, these inserts can be purchased at the store, ordered online, or custom-made for you by a foot care specialist.
Skin and wound care for foot pain
Your doctor may remove plantar warts, corns, and calluses causing your foot pain. If your foot pain is caused by a wound or sore, you may need to see a wound care specialist.
Steroid shots for foot pain
If your foot pain is severe or has not responded to other treatments, your doctor may recommend shots to inject an anti-inflammatory steroid medication into the affected part of your foot.
Steroid shots may be used to treat:
- Arthritis.
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Tendon and ligament problems.
Surgery for foot pain
Some conditions that cause foot pain require surgical treatment, such as:
- Arthritis.
- Broken bones.
- Bunions.
- Hammer toes.
- Heel spurs.
- Nerve disorders.
- Non-healing wounds.
- Torn tendons or ligaments.
Your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure and treatment approach that will relieve symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
Why choose UPMC for foot pain care?
When you choose UPMC for your foot pain care, you will receive:
- Access to world-class orthopaedic expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of foot disorders using the latest surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
- Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your foot pain and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical care, as well as minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches, depending on your individual care needs.
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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-02-28.
