What causes pain in the arch of the foot? How can it be treated? Discover the root causes, effective treatments, and preventive measures to address arch pain.

Understanding the Arch of the Foot

The arch of the foot is a crucial component of the foot’s structure, formed by a complex network of bones, ligaments, and tendons. This intricate design plays a vital role in distributing weight and facilitating movement. However, when this delicate balance is disrupted, it can lead to a range of painful conditions affecting the arch.

Common Causes of Arch Pain

Overpronation

Overpronation, a common gait abnormality, occurs when the foot rolls excessively inward during walking or running. This excessive motion can put strain on the tendons, muscles, and ligaments of the arch, leading to pain and potential long-term damage.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, a common and often persistent condition, involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue (the plantar fascia) running along the bottom of the foot. This can cause debilitating heel and arch pain, particularly upon waking or after prolonged activity.

Cavus Foot

Cavus foot, a structural abnormality characterized by an unusually high arch, can also contribute to arch pain. The lack of flexibility and shock absorption in the foot can lead to increased stress and potential injury.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

PTTD occurs when the posterior tibial tendon, which helps support the arch, becomes inflamed or damaged. This can result in pain, swelling, and a progressive flattening of the arch.

Flat Feet

Flat feet, or the collapse of the arch, can also trigger arch pain, as well as discomfort in the legs, ankles, and back. This condition may develop in childhood or adulthood.

Effective Treatments for Arch Pain

When arch pain persists, a combination of home remedies and professional interventions may be necessary for relief and long-term management.

Home Remedies

• Rest and avoid activities that aggravate the pain
• Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation
• Wear supportive shoes or use arch supports/inserts
• Perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
• Take over-the-counter pain medications as needed

Professional Treatments

• Physical therapy to address muscle imbalances and improve flexibility
• Night splints or braces to support the foot during rest
• Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation
• Prescription orthotics or custom-made supportive shoes
• In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to correct structural abnormalities

Preventing Arch Pain

Taking proactive steps to maintain foot health can help prevent or manage arch pain:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight can put additional strain on the arches, leading to pain and potential long-term damage. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help alleviate this burden.

Choose Supportive Footwear

Wearing shoes with proper arch support, cushioning, and stability can reduce the risk of arch-related issues. Consider investing in high-quality, well-fitting shoes designed for your specific foot type and activities.

Incorporate Stretching and Strengthening

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the foot, ankle, and calf muscles can improve flexibility, stability, and overall foot health, potentially reducing the risk of arch pain.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If home remedies and preventive measures do not provide relief, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist or physical therapist, for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan.

Key Factors to Consider

• Persistent or worsening arch pain
• Inability to perform daily activities or exercise due to arch pain
• Presence of structural abnormalities or a history of foot-related injuries
• Lack of improvement with self-care measures over an extended period

By understanding the causes of arch pain and exploring the available treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to address this common foot condition and maintain optimal foot health.

Pain in arch of foot: Causes, treatment, and stretches

The arch of the foot is an area along the bottom of the foot between the ball and the heel. Pain in the arch of the foot is a common problem, especially among athletes.

The arch is made up of three separate arches that form a triangle. Each arch is made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons.

There are many potential causes of pain in the arch of the foot. Keep reading for more information on these causes, as well as the possible treatments.

The two most common causes of pain in the arch of the foot involve injury and structural issues.

Structural issues typically refer to high or low arches or other abnormalities in the foot and surrounding area.

In both cases, several factors can trigger or aggravate these issues, including:

• aging
• overuse
• weight gain
• physical stress
• neurological conditions

Causes of pain in the arch of the foot include:

Overpronation

Overpronation refers to how a person’s foot moves while walking, running, or jogging.

A person who overpronates strikes the ground with the outer portion of the heel first. As the person completes the step, the foot rolls too far onto the arch. The extra pressure causes the arch to flatten.

Long term, overpronation can damage the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. This damage can lead to pain in the arch, knee, hip, or back. It may also cause hammertoe and calluses.

A person who overpronates often benefits from extra support when walking. Support can include stability shoes and prescription arch supports.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition of the plantar fascia and a common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the back of the foot to the front.

Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:

Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but activities such as running can increase the risk.

If a person has plantar fasciitis, they often feel pain when waking up. The pain typically gets worse throughout the day with walking and standing. In addition to arch pain, a person may feel stiffness in the heel or ball of their foot.

People with plantar fasciitis may need to stop doing activities such as running to let the foot heal. They can also consider wearing support shoes or using inserts to help take pressure off the arch.

Cavus foot

Cavus foot is a structural abnormality that causes a high arch. Causes of cavus foot include:

If a person has cavus foot, they may feel pain when walking or standing. They may also have reduced stability, which can lead to ankle sprains and injuries.

A person may have other issues related to cavus foot, including:

• claw toe
• hammertoe
• calluses

People with cavus foot can consider support shoes or inserts to help stabilize their feet and avoid pain and possible injury.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

The posterior tibial tendon connects one of the calf muscles to the inner part of the foot. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) occurs when this tendon is injured or inflamed. If the posterior tibial tendon cannot support the arch, a person may feel pain there as a result.

PTTD pain typically occurs in the inner part of the ankle and back of the calf. The pain usually occurs while running or walking briskly and goes away once a person stops.

An ankle brace or specially designed inserts can help correct PTTD.

Flat feet

Flat feet can occur in children or adults. In many cases, flat feet cause no issues, but they can also cause a person to experience pain in the arch, other areas of the foot, legs, ankles, and back.

A person may not realize they have flat feet until symptoms occur. A doctor may recommend using supportive shoes or inserts to help provide additional support for the arch.

Share on PinterestA doctor may recommend physical therapy if home treatment does not relieve pain.

In some cases, home treatments and stretching are not enough to relieve pain. If this is the case, a doctor or podiatrist may recommend one or more of the following:

• physical therapy
• night splints
• braces
• casts
• surgery
• cortisone injections
• prescription pain relievers (prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
• prescription orthotics, support shoes, or inserts

While undergoing treatment, a person should still consider home remedies and stretches to help alleviate the pain. A person should not attempt these if a doctor advises them not to move the foot.

Some home remedies include:

• Resting: Stop or significantly reduce doing any activity that aggravates the arch.
• Applying ice: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the arch and other tender areas to help reduce swelling.
• Wearing socks: Avoid walking around in bare feet.
• Using support: Consider using cushions, inserts, and support shoes.
• Splinting: Ask a doctor about splinting the foot at night to help keep it supported while sleeping.
• Using medication: Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

In addition, there are a few different techniques a person can do to help alleviate pain and make the arch less prone to injury. These include:

Foot Stretch

To perform this stretch:

• sit down
• place the foot on the opposite thigh
• hold the toes with one hand while pushing in and down on the heel with the other
• gently push the toes towards the heel and hold for 3–5 minutes

Calf stretch

When a person stretches their calves, they can relieve pain and pressure on the arch of the foot. To perform a calf stretch:

• stand facing the wall and place both hands shoulder width apart on the wall
• take a step back with one foot
• bend the front knee forward while keeping the back knee straight and the heel on the floor
• hold the stretch for 20–30 seconds, repeat three times and then switch legs

Roller or ball foot massage

A person can use a small tennis ball or foam roller to perform a massaging stretch on the foot. This technique is easiest to do while sitting.

To use this technique, a person should:

• take off their shoes and sit in a chair
• place the ball or roller under the arch of the foot
• roll it back and forth from the ball of the foot to the heel over the arch

The arch is responsible for several functions in the foot. Some things the arch does include:

• helps bear weight
• helps stabilize movements
• allows the foot to adapt to changes in the terrain as a person walks or runs
• helps absorb shock
• helps maintain balance

A person may feel an injury to the arch directly in the area. It is also possible to feel pain or discomfort in other areas, including the:

• heel
• ball of foot
• top of foot
• hips
• legs
• knees
• back
• ankles

In some cases, a person may feel the worst pain in the morning. However, most people will experience worse pain during activities, including standing, that directly involves the feet.

For occasional pain, resting, ice, and stretching are usually sufficient. However, if the pain does not go away after a few days, is severe, or frequently comes back, a person should talk to a doctor.

A doctor may refer a person to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the feet and ankles or a podiatrist, who is a foot specialist. They can examine the person’s foot, how they walk, and other factors to determine what the underlying issue is.

An examination may include:

• looking for inflammation, tenderness, swelling, deformities,
• checking balance, coordination, reflexes, sensation, and muscle tone
• tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds

Once a doctor determines the underlying cause of the pain, they will recommend treatments that specifically target the underlying cause and help alleviate pain.

Arch pain is a common problem, especially among athletes. In many cases, a person can stretch, rest, and ice the arch of their foot until the pain goes away.

Problems with the arch of the foot can also cause pain in different parts of the body, including the ankle, heel, legs, knee, and back. It is essential to treat the problem early to ensure that foot problems do not lead to back or knee injuries.

If the pain persists, gets worse, or is chronic, a person should talk to their doctor about additional treatment options.

Pain in arch of foot: Causes, treatment, and stretches

The arch of the foot is an area along the bottom of the foot between the ball and the heel. Pain in the arch of the foot is a common problem, especially among athletes.

The arch is made up of three separate arches that form a triangle. Each arch is made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons.

There are many potential causes of pain in the arch of the foot. Keep reading for more information on these causes, as well as the possible treatments.

The two most common causes of pain in the arch of the foot involve injury and structural issues.

Structural issues typically refer to high or low arches or other abnormalities in the foot and surrounding area.

In both cases, several factors can trigger or aggravate these issues, including:

• aging
• overuse
• weight gain
• physical stress
• neurological conditions

Causes of pain in the arch of the foot include:

Overpronation

Overpronation refers to how a person’s foot moves while walking, running, or jogging.

A person who overpronates strikes the ground with the outer portion of the heel first. As the person completes the step, the foot rolls too far onto the arch. The extra pressure causes the arch to flatten.

Long term, overpronation can damage the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. This damage can lead to pain in the arch, knee, hip, or back. It may also cause hammertoe and calluses.

A person who overpronates often benefits from extra support when walking. Support can include stability shoes and prescription arch supports.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition of the plantar fascia and a common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the back of the foot to the front.

Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:

Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but activities such as running can increase the risk.

If a person has plantar fasciitis, they often feel pain when waking up. The pain typically gets worse throughout the day with walking and standing. In addition to arch pain, a person may feel stiffness in the heel or ball of their foot.

People with plantar fasciitis may need to stop doing activities such as running to let the foot heal. They can also consider wearing support shoes or using inserts to help take pressure off the arch.

Cavus foot

Cavus foot is a structural abnormality that causes a high arch. Causes of cavus foot include:

If a person has cavus foot, they may feel pain when walking or standing. They may also have reduced stability, which can lead to ankle sprains and injuries.

A person may have other issues related to cavus foot, including:

• claw toe
• hammertoe
• calluses

People with cavus foot can consider support shoes or inserts to help stabilize their feet and avoid pain and possible injury.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

The posterior tibial tendon connects one of the calf muscles to the inner part of the foot. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) occurs when this tendon is injured or inflamed. If the posterior tibial tendon cannot support the arch, a person may feel pain there as a result.

PTTD pain typically occurs in the inner part of the ankle and back of the calf. The pain usually occurs while running or walking briskly and goes away once a person stops.

An ankle brace or specially designed inserts can help correct PTTD.

Flat feet

Flat feet can occur in children or adults. In many cases, flat feet cause no issues, but they can also cause a person to experience pain in the arch, other areas of the foot, legs, ankles, and back.

A person may not realize they have flat feet until symptoms occur. A doctor may recommend using supportive shoes or inserts to help provide additional support for the arch.

Share on PinterestA doctor may recommend physical therapy if home treatment does not relieve pain.

In some cases, home treatments and stretching are not enough to relieve pain. If this is the case, a doctor or podiatrist may recommend one or more of the following:

• physical therapy
• night splints
• braces
• casts
• surgery
• cortisone injections
• prescription pain relievers (prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
• prescription orthotics, support shoes, or inserts

While undergoing treatment, a person should still consider home remedies and stretches to help alleviate the pain. A person should not attempt these if a doctor advises them not to move the foot.

Some home remedies include:

• Resting: Stop or significantly reduce doing any activity that aggravates the arch.
• Applying ice: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the arch and other tender areas to help reduce swelling.
• Wearing socks: Avoid walking around in bare feet.
• Using support: Consider using cushions, inserts, and support shoes.
• Splinting: Ask a doctor about splinting the foot at night to help keep it supported while sleeping.
• Using medication: Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

In addition, there are a few different techniques a person can do to help alleviate pain and make the arch less prone to injury. These include:

Foot Stretch

To perform this stretch:

• sit down
• place the foot on the opposite thigh
• hold the toes with one hand while pushing in and down on the heel with the other
• gently push the toes towards the heel and hold for 3–5 minutes

Calf stretch

When a person stretches their calves, they can relieve pain and pressure on the arch of the foot. To perform a calf stretch:

• stand facing the wall and place both hands shoulder width apart on the wall
• take a step back with one foot
• bend the front knee forward while keeping the back knee straight and the heel on the floor
• hold the stretch for 20–30 seconds, repeat three times and then switch legs

Roller or ball foot massage

A person can use a small tennis ball or foam roller to perform a massaging stretch on the foot. This technique is easiest to do while sitting.

To use this technique, a person should:

• take off their shoes and sit in a chair
• place the ball or roller under the arch of the foot
• roll it back and forth from the ball of the foot to the heel over the arch

The arch is responsible for several functions in the foot. Some things the arch does include:

• helps bear weight
• helps stabilize movements
• allows the foot to adapt to changes in the terrain as a person walks or runs
• helps absorb shock
• helps maintain balance

A person may feel an injury to the arch directly in the area. It is also possible to feel pain or discomfort in other areas, including the:

• heel
• ball of foot
• top of foot
• hips
• legs
• knees
• back
• ankles

In some cases, a person may feel the worst pain in the morning. However, most people will experience worse pain during activities, including standing, that directly involves the feet.

For occasional pain, resting, ice, and stretching are usually sufficient. However, if the pain does not go away after a few days, is severe, or frequently comes back, a person should talk to a doctor.

A doctor may refer a person to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the feet and ankles or a podiatrist, who is a foot specialist. They can examine the person’s foot, how they walk, and other factors to determine what the underlying issue is.

An examination may include:

• looking for inflammation, tenderness, swelling, deformities,
• checking balance, coordination, reflexes, sensation, and muscle tone
• tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds

Once a doctor determines the underlying cause of the pain, they will recommend treatments that specifically target the underlying cause and help alleviate pain.

Arch pain is a common problem, especially among athletes. In many cases, a person can stretch, rest, and ice the arch of their foot until the pain goes away.

Problems with the arch of the foot can also cause pain in different parts of the body, including the ankle, heel, legs, knee, and back. It is essential to treat the problem early to ensure that foot problems do not lead to back or knee injuries.

If the pain persists, gets worse, or is chronic, a person should talk to their doctor about additional treatment options.

Pain in arch of foot: Causes, treatment, and stretches

The arch of the foot is an area along the bottom of the foot between the ball and the heel. Pain in the arch of the foot is a common problem, especially among athletes.

The arch is made up of three separate arches that form a triangle. Each arch is made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons.

There are many potential causes of pain in the arch of the foot. Keep reading for more information on these causes, as well as the possible treatments.

The two most common causes of pain in the arch of the foot involve injury and structural issues.

Structural issues typically refer to high or low arches or other abnormalities in the foot and surrounding area.

In both cases, several factors can trigger or aggravate these issues, including:

• aging
• overuse
• weight gain
• physical stress
• neurological conditions

Causes of pain in the arch of the foot include:

Overpronation

Overpronation refers to how a person’s foot moves while walking, running, or jogging.

A person who overpronates strikes the ground with the outer portion of the heel first. As the person completes the step, the foot rolls too far onto the arch. The extra pressure causes the arch to flatten.

Long term, overpronation can damage the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. This damage can lead to pain in the arch, knee, hip, or back. It may also cause hammertoe and calluses.

A person who overpronates often benefits from extra support when walking. Support can include stability shoes and prescription arch supports.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition of the plantar fascia and a common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the back of the foot to the front.

Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:

Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but activities such as running can increase the risk.

If a person has plantar fasciitis, they often feel pain when waking up. The pain typically gets worse throughout the day with walking and standing. In addition to arch pain, a person may feel stiffness in the heel or ball of their foot.

People with plantar fasciitis may need to stop doing activities such as running to let the foot heal. They can also consider wearing support shoes or using inserts to help take pressure off the arch.

Cavus foot

Cavus foot is a structural abnormality that causes a high arch. Causes of cavus foot include:

If a person has cavus foot, they may feel pain when walking or standing. They may also have reduced stability, which can lead to ankle sprains and injuries.

A person may have other issues related to cavus foot, including:

• claw toe
• hammertoe
• calluses

People with cavus foot can consider support shoes or inserts to help stabilize their feet and avoid pain and possible injury.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

The posterior tibial tendon connects one of the calf muscles to the inner part of the foot. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) occurs when this tendon is injured or inflamed. If the posterior tibial tendon cannot support the arch, a person may feel pain there as a result.

PTTD pain typically occurs in the inner part of the ankle and back of the calf. The pain usually occurs while running or walking briskly and goes away once a person stops.

An ankle brace or specially designed inserts can help correct PTTD.

Flat feet

Flat feet can occur in children or adults. In many cases, flat feet cause no issues, but they can also cause a person to experience pain in the arch, other areas of the foot, legs, ankles, and back.

A person may not realize they have flat feet until symptoms occur. A doctor may recommend using supportive shoes or inserts to help provide additional support for the arch.

Share on PinterestA doctor may recommend physical therapy if home treatment does not relieve pain.

In some cases, home treatments and stretching are not enough to relieve pain. If this is the case, a doctor or podiatrist may recommend one or more of the following:

• physical therapy
• night splints
• braces
• casts
• surgery
• cortisone injections
• prescription pain relievers (prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
• prescription orthotics, support shoes, or inserts

While undergoing treatment, a person should still consider home remedies and stretches to help alleviate the pain. A person should not attempt these if a doctor advises them not to move the foot.

Some home remedies include:

• Resting: Stop or significantly reduce doing any activity that aggravates the arch.
• Applying ice: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the arch and other tender areas to help reduce swelling.
• Wearing socks: Avoid walking around in bare feet.
• Using support: Consider using cushions, inserts, and support shoes.
• Splinting: Ask a doctor about splinting the foot at night to help keep it supported while sleeping.
• Using medication: Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

In addition, there are a few different techniques a person can do to help alleviate pain and make the arch less prone to injury. These include:

Foot Stretch

To perform this stretch:

• sit down
• place the foot on the opposite thigh
• hold the toes with one hand while pushing in and down on the heel with the other
• gently push the toes towards the heel and hold for 3–5 minutes

Calf stretch

When a person stretches their calves, they can relieve pain and pressure on the arch of the foot. To perform a calf stretch:

• stand facing the wall and place both hands shoulder width apart on the wall
• take a step back with one foot
• bend the front knee forward while keeping the back knee straight and the heel on the floor
• hold the stretch for 20–30 seconds, repeat three times and then switch legs

Roller or ball foot massage

A person can use a small tennis ball or foam roller to perform a massaging stretch on the foot. This technique is easiest to do while sitting.

To use this technique, a person should:

• take off their shoes and sit in a chair
• place the ball or roller under the arch of the foot
• roll it back and forth from the ball of the foot to the heel over the arch

The arch is responsible for several functions in the foot. Some things the arch does include:

• helps bear weight
• helps stabilize movements
• allows the foot to adapt to changes in the terrain as a person walks or runs
• helps absorb shock
• helps maintain balance

A person may feel an injury to the arch directly in the area. It is also possible to feel pain or discomfort in other areas, including the:

• heel
• ball of foot
• top of foot
• hips
• legs
• knees
• back
• ankles

In some cases, a person may feel the worst pain in the morning. However, most people will experience worse pain during activities, including standing, that directly involves the feet.

For occasional pain, resting, ice, and stretching are usually sufficient. However, if the pain does not go away after a few days, is severe, or frequently comes back, a person should talk to a doctor.

A doctor may refer a person to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the feet and ankles or a podiatrist, who is a foot specialist. They can examine the person’s foot, how they walk, and other factors to determine what the underlying issue is.

An examination may include:

• looking for inflammation, tenderness, swelling, deformities,
• checking balance, coordination, reflexes, sensation, and muscle tone
• tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds

Once a doctor determines the underlying cause of the pain, they will recommend treatments that specifically target the underlying cause and help alleviate pain.

Arch pain is a common problem, especially among athletes. In many cases, a person can stretch, rest, and ice the arch of their foot until the pain goes away.

Problems with the arch of the foot can also cause pain in different parts of the body, including the ankle, heel, legs, knee, and back. It is essential to treat the problem early to ensure that foot problems do not lead to back or knee injuries.

If the pain persists, gets worse, or is chronic, a person should talk to their doctor about additional treatment options.

6 exercises and other home remedies

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Foot stretches and exercises can help plantar fasciitis by relieving pain, improving muscle strength, and promoting flexibility in the foot muscles and ligaments.

Overuse, strain, and inflammation on the plantar fascia ligament that connects the heel to the toes cause the foot injury that doctors refer to as plantar fasciitis. The tissue that the condition affects is under the arch of the foot but can cause a stabbing pain in the heel.

Plantar fasciitis usually resolves within 6 to 18 months without treatment. With 6 months of consistent, nonoperative treatment, people with plantar fasciitis will recover 97 percent of the time.

In this article, we look at stretches and exercises for plantar fasciitis relief and recovery and other home remedies that could help.

Plantar fasciitis may often be an overuse injury. Often, it occurs in runners or people who are overweight or obese. It may also cause tension in surrounding muscles, leading to pain beyond the heel.

A few simple stretches can reduce tension in the foot and calf. This offers both rapid pain relief and a steady improvement of symptoms over time.

People can perform these exercises two or three times every day. They should not be painful.

1. Stretching the calf

Muscle tightness in the feet and calves can make the pain of plantar fasciitis worse. Loosening the calf muscles can relieve the pain. Try the following stretch:

• lean your hands against a wall
• straighten the knee of the affected leg and bend the other knee in front
• keep both feet flat on the ground
• there should be a stretching sensation in the heel and calf of the extended leg
• hold for 10 seconds
• repeat two to three times

2. Rolling stretch

Placing a round object under the foot and rolling back and forth can help loosen up the foot muscles. People can use a rolling pin, golf ball, or specialized foam roller for this. Sports stores and online stores sell foam foot rollers.

Use the following steps to stretch the foot:

• sit tall on a chair
• roll a round object under the arch of the foot
• roll for 2 minutes

3. Stretching the plantar fascia

To relieve muscle tightness in the plantar fascia, try the following:

• sitting on a chair, cross the injured heel over the other leg
• hold the foot in your opposite hand
• pull the toes toward the shin to create tension in the arch of the foot
• place the other hand on the bottom of the foot to feel for tension in the plantar fascia
• use a towel to grasp and stretch the foot if it is difficult to hold otherwise
• hold for 10 seconds
• repeat two to three times

4. Foot flexes

Flexing the foot increases blood flow to the area and relieves tension in the calves, which can help with pain. This exercise uses an elastic stretch band, which people can buy from sports stores or online.

Use the following steps:

• sit on the floor with legs straight
• wrap the elastic band around your foot, holding the ends in your hands
• gently point the toes away from the body
• slowly return to starting position
• repeat 10 times

5. Towel curls

Curling a hand towel or facecloth with the toes can stretch the foot and calf muscles. Try doing these stretches before walking or doing any other morning tasks. Use the following steps:

• sit on a chair with both feet flat and a small towel in front of the feet
• grasp the center of the towel with your toes
• curl the towel towards you
• relax the foot and repeat five times

6. Marble pickups

Picking up a marble with the toes will flex and stretch the foot muscles. Use the following steps:

• sit on a chair with knees bent and feet flat on the floor
• place 20 marbles and a bowl at your feet
• pick up one marble at a time by curling your toes, and place the marble into the bowl
• repeat 20 times

A number of other home remedies can help reduce the inflammation and pain of plantar fasciitis:

The RICE method

When the pain first appears, keeping off the injured foot can help. First aid for a foot injury can include the RICE method:

• Rest the painful area for a few days.
• Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time to relieve inflammation.
• Compress the area with a soft wrap to reduce swelling.
• Elevate the area by putting the foot on a few pillows.

Elevating the foot with a pillow can be especially helpful when a person is sleeping.

Anti-inflammatory medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, help to reduce both pain and inflammation. People may wish to take this medication as directed on the package or recommended by a doctor.

Some people find that a few weeks of NSAID treatment improves their symptoms.

Shoe inserts

Shoe inserts offer additional support to the arch of the foot. Inserts will limit stress on the plantar fascia and may be especially helpful to people who spend much of the day on their feet. Soft, supportive arch inserts may work as well.

Always speak to a doctor who specializes in foot health, called a podiatrist, for more information.

Massage

Some people find that massage helps with symptoms. Focus on massaging the arch of the foot around the injured area.

If surrounding muscles have become tense because of the pain, massage those too. Some people find relief from massaging the arch of the foot with an ice bottle.

If stretches, exercises, and home remedies do not help, a doctor may recommend medical treatment. However, surgery is rarely needed.

A doctor may suggest the following:

Share on PinterestPeople who walk or run for exercise may be at risk of plantar fasciitis.

A thick mass of tissue called the plantar fascia connects the toes to the heel bone. Inflammation in this tissue, called plantar fasciitis, can cause intense pain in the heel.

The pain may get worse when getting out of bed or when standing after a long period of sitting.

Doctors do not fully understand why some people get this injury and others do not. Some evidence suggests that overuse causes the inflammation.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

• spending long periods of time standing
• walking or running for exercise
• having tight calf muscles
• overweight and obesity
• pes cavus, a condition that causes the arch of the foot to be hollow when standing

Plantar fasciitis will usually resolve by itself without treatment. People can speed up recovery and relieve pain with specific foot and calf stretches and exercises.

For some people, plantar fasciitis becomes a chronic condition. Symptoms may improve and then appear again, or the pain may remain consistent for a year or longer. A 2018 study suggests that people who have previously had the injury are more likely to have it again.

Because of the risk of chronic pain, people with plantar fasciitis should see a doctor about their symptoms. There are many different treatment options that may help.

Plantar Fasciitis | Cedars-Sinai

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What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the bottom of the heel, the arch or both areas. The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous, ligamentlike band on the bottom of the foot. It is attached to the heel, runs forward along the foot and attaches again at the ball of the foot.

When the plantar fascia becomes irritated and swollen, the condition is called plantar fasciitis.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

With every step we take, our body weight comes to rest first on the heel and then gradually over the length of the foot. As the foot begins to bear weight, it flattens. This puts pressure on the plantar fascia, which has very little stretch. As we walk, the plantar fascia pulls on its attachment at the heel.

If the foot is properly aligned, this pull causes no problems. If the foot is pronated — meaning it rolls outward at the ankle — the arch falls too much and there is an abnormal amount of pull on the fairly rigid plantar fascia. This causes an abnormally strong pull on the heel where the plantar fascia attaches.

Something similar happens when the foot has supination, meaning it rolls inward. These type of feet are relatively inflexible, usually have a high arch and a short or unusually tight plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis can be caused by:

• A lack of arch support.
• A sudden injury.
• A tendency to roll your feet one way or another.
• An increase in activities such as running, basketball, tennis, soccer or gymnastics that involve repetitive pounding of foot.
• Being overweight.
• Doing a lot of walking barefooted.
• Having one leg that is shorter than the other. This causes the foot on the longer leg to carry the body’s entire weight longer than normal, stressing the fascia on that foot. Additionally, the foot of the shorter leg falls to the ground harder, putting more pressure on that foot.
• Poor flexibility in the calf muscle.
• Poor training for physical activities.
• Standing too long.
• Wearing shoes that don’t bend easily under the ball of the foot.
• Wearing shoes with too little cushioning.

It’s not always possible to identify the cause. Plantar fasciitis tends to develop as we get older and the fascia become less elastic. Women tend to get this condition more than men.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel pain in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a bruise or an ache. The pain tends to gradually go away once you begin walking around. With continued walking, the pain may return, but usually goes away after rest. If the swollen plantar fascia irritated a nerve in the foot, pain may radiate into the ankle.

In the early stages of plantar fasciitis, the pain may go away quickly once you take weight off the foot. Over time, however, it may take longer and longer for the pain to go away. Without treatment, the plantar fascia will eventually tear partially away from the heel. The body fills the torn area in with calcium. This eventually becomes a bone and is called a heel spur.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed on the basis of your description of your symptoms. Your doctor may examine your foot and its structure or look at your shoes to see how they are wearing. (Feet that pronate tend to break down the inner side of the shoe; feet that supinate tend to break down the outer side of the shoe.)

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Depending on the individual, different treatments may be more effective than others. Approaches include:

• Rest. It can help to do ess weight-bearing exercise that involves running and jumping. Sitting or lying down and raising your feet can also reduce swelling.
• Applying ice. Using ice packs to cool (not freeze) your foot helps reduce pain and swelling. The ice should be used on heels and arches (not toes) for about 20 minutes three times a day. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should discuss this with your doctor first.
• Orthotics.
• Heel cushions. These off-the-shelf devices go inside your shoes.
• Splinting your foot at night.
• Avoid going barefoot.
• Stretching your foot.

Key points

• Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the bottom of the heel, the arch or both areas. The condition comes on with inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligamentlike band on the bottom of the foot.
• It’s not always possible to know which of the numerous causes of plantar fasciitis is at work.
• Rest, ice and heel cushions are some ways to treat the condition.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

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Arch Pain | Bottom Of Foot Hurts

Arch pain is felt on the underside of your foot between the heel and ball. The purpose of the arch is to transfer your body weight from heel to toe, and pain is the result when the arch doesn’t function properly.

Your foot actually contains two arches: the longitudinal arch which runs the length of your foot, and the transverse arch (also known as the metatarsal arch) which spans the width of your foot. There are 24 bones which create the arches and these bones are held together through their unique interlocking shapes and ligaments. The muscles and the plantar fascia (a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs from the heel to the toes) provide secondary support, and fat pads help to absorb impact and bear your weight. If any of these structures or their interaction are damaged or faulty, arch pain may occur.

The most common cause of arch pain is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia. You may also suffer arch pain if you have a structural imbalance in your foot or suffer from arthritis.

See our page on plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain and arch pain.

But arch pain may also result from stepping on a rock or when someone steps on your foot. This force may cause an injury such as a bone fracture or damage to the supporting muscles, ligaments, or tendons underneath your foot.

What causes arch pain

• Direct force trauma
• Flat feet
• Pronated foot (rolls inward when walking)
• Ligament sprains
• Muscle strains
• Biomechanical problems
• Stress fractures
• Overuse (plantar fasciitis)
• Too tight or too loose joints in the foot
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Arthritis

Symptoms of Arch Pain

• Pain and tenderness on the bottom of the foot
• Pain may be increased or decreased by stretching of the arch
• Pain may decrease or subside as the foot “warms up” with activity
• Pain may increase with activity
• Pain when foot is fully extended, flexed, or turned in and out
• Burning sensation at the center of the arch

Treatment for arch pain
Your podiatrist at PA Foot and Ankle Associates may recommend one or more of these treatments to manage your arch pain:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Over the counter pain medications
• Custom in-shoe orthotics to relieve pressure and balance the foot
• Shoe modifications
• Change in footwear (no high heels)
• Stretching exercises
• Surgery for severe cases

Arch pain may have a variety of causes and proper evaluation and diagnosis by a podiatrist is essential in planning an effective treatment.

Arch Pain | Symptoms, Causes & Treatment by Sydney Heel Pain

Arch pain can be the result of one or a combination of conditions that develop in the sole of the foot. Patients will often describe a tightness, pulling, strain, burning or ripping sensation through the mid arch of the foot, in front of the heel but behind the ball of the foot.

The pain in the arch can come on suddenly as in a one off day of increased walking or a sporting event, or progressively over a period of time as in walking in inappropriate shoes. Arch pain can be present every day and can be consistently present, in that it interferes with day to day activity. It will often feel worse in bare feet or thongs or flat and flimsy shoes such as ballet flats.

In extreme cases the pain can be excruciating and can cause burning and throbbing in bed at night. The soft tissue in the arch can be torn and this can be detected via ultra sound or MRI.

CONDITIONS CAUSING ARCH PAIN

ARCH PAIN TREATMENT

It is important to assess and diagnose which part of the foot is affected and causing the pain. Physical examination is usually sufficient but in complex cases the patient can be referred for ultra sound imaging. An MRI is not usually necessary.

It is also important to determine whether or not the ligament, fascia or tendon has been torn as this will determine which treatment path to take. If the tissue is not torn, then it is important to determine what has caused the condition so that these contributing factors can be resolved. Factors such as footwear, exercise or even stretching techniques are common contributing factors.

If there are bio mechanical issues affecting the patients foot then these need to be addressed also. Orthotics can be arranged and shoes can be changed. Strapping can be applied to the foot and in extreme cases an immobilisation boot can be used.

Shock wave therapy can applied to the foot which can stimulate blood flow and accelerate healing in addition to relieving pain. Correct stretching techniques must be instructed and followed.

ARCH PAIN TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Strapping
• Orthotics where necessary
• Footwear changes
• Shock wave therapy
• Stretching
• Immobilisation boot

CASE STUDY – ARCH PAIN WITH WEIGHT GAIN BY KARL LOCKETT, SPORTS PODIATRIST

HISTORY – ARCH PAIN

A 44-year-old lady presents to the clinic with arch pain in her right foot which came on gradually. She reports an increase in body weight, gaining 14 kilo’s in approximately 6 months. The arch pain started 3months ago, around the time she was starting to feel her body weight was becoming a problem. Mrs X had been through an extremely stressful period at work and this meant she stopped visiting the gym. Her eating habits also became an issue and this compounded the weight gain problem. As her body weight increased she became aware of a mild arch pain and some general fatigue in her foot muscles. She would release the stiffness in her feet with a spiky ball at home and this provided temporary relief. In addition to the onset of arch pain and fatigue, she felt her calf muscles tightening and she would occasionally experience cramps, particularly in the evenings. Mrs X described the pain as a burning sensation under the sole of her foot and a sharp pulling sensation. She would often stop mid stride, and stand still, as the stabbing pain was extreme and she felt like her arch was tearing. One week ago, she went to see her regular physiotherapist who applied some rigid sports tape to her foot, and this provided short term relief.

HER ARCH PAIN WAS WORSE IN FLAT SHOES

Mrs X brought a large selection of shoes to her consultation and wondered if her arch pain and general foot fatigue was due to her choice of footwear. Amongst the collection were 3 pairs of ballet flats, a pair of Merrell street shoes, and some flat and flexible office shoes. Not one pair of her shoes had mid sole support or a small heel. The uppers were soft and flexible and also lacked support.

Mrs X did have a pair of Asics sports shoes too, although she did not bring these along to the consultation, as she had not worn them for some 6 months at the gym. On the odd occasion that she did wear the Asics running shoes she explained that her arch pain would subside and she could spend longer on her feet. This allowed her to carry out some household chores and go for an occasional walk without too much discomfort.

HER ARCH PAIN WAS DUE TO PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Mrs X was referred to the imaging centre for an Ultra sound scan of her painful foot. She was relieved when the report explained the cause of her arch pain, describing inflamed Plantar Fascia – a condition commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis can cause pain in the heel and the arch of the foot and is common in people carrying extra body weight. The Sports Podiatrist reassured Mrs X that Plantar Fasciitis was a common condition that was treatable, and that she would make a full recovery within a month or 2, once treatment commenced.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF ARCH PAIN

The medical report from the imaging centre had already described Plantar Fasciitis as the cause of this lady’s arch pain and the physical examination revealed typical findings. There was pain on palpation of the Plantar Fascia, distal to the heel and along the medial slip. Her peroneal tendons were unremarkable and there was no heel pain. Mrs X was able to walk in her bare feet without limping, but was unable to perform a single leg heel raise without pain. This is typical in patients with arch pain as the exercise loads the Plantar Fascia and pulls through the arch.

FACTORS CAUSING THE ARCH PAIN IN MRS X

The increase in body weight was clearly a contributing factor in the onset of Mrs X’s arch pain. The weight gain adds load to the feet and causes stress and strain on muscles and tendons. When the weight gain occurs quickly, the feet don’t always cope with the extra stress and the Plantar Fascia can become overloaded. This leads to the micro tearing and inflammation of the Plantar Fascial fibres.

In addition to this, the extra body weight leads to an increase in calf muscle bulk and tightness. This muscle group works harder during stance and push-off in heavier patient’s. The stiffness in these muscles, which are attached to the back of the heel, causes a stronger pulling action on the back of the foot. This in turn causes a stronger pull through the sole of the foot, which can lead to strain in the Plantar Fascia and result in arch pain.

There’s a fairly good case that would suggest Mrs X would not have developed this acute arch pain had she worn more supportive shoes. Ballet flats, and any shoes that are flat and flexible are likely to cause problems in heavier patient’s, if used for longer periods.

TREATMENT OF MRS X ARCH PAIN

It was explained to Mrs X that she needed to lose weight in order to help her fatigued feet and reduce this chronic and acute arch pain. She was already aware of this and explained she can’t walk for exercise, to burn the calories. She was advised to swim and perform resistance training for her upper body. Mrs X enquired about the use of prescription orthotics. She felt her feet were more unstable since gaining weight. The Sports Podiatrist
explained to Mrs X that the orthotics were a valid treatment option, and that the Carbon Fibre material would be the preferred choice. These are a firm material but are streamlined and less bulky, and so fit into more shoes more easily. They would have slow release poron to provide cushioning and the support from these orthotics would reduce the strain on the whole foot, particularly the arch. This would allow the arch pain to resolve over time, as the micro tears and inflammation subsided.

FOOTWEAR CHANGES

A comprehensive list of appropriate shoes that would offer support and accommodate the orthotics was given to Mrs X. These were tailored to her foot type and body weight. Work shoes, casual shoes and trainers were all recommended.
OTHER

As a temporary measure, rigid sports tape was applied to both feet and this would be used until the orthotics were ready for fitting. Calf massage was also recommended and a comprehensive stretching programme was applied.

2 WEEKS ON

After 2 weeks, Mrs X returned to be fitted with her orthotics. Her pain level had not changed when the arches were palpated. However, she did feel more stable and slightly more comfortable with the strapping in place, and the new shoes on her feet.

6 WEEKS ON

Calf range had improved and pain had reduced by 40%. Mrs X was compliant with stretching but was not applying ice packs to her feet on a daily basis. Her orthotics were very comfortable and were helping. She wore them every day. She had lost 2.5 Ks in weight, partly due to dietary changes and partly due to swimming.

10 WEEKS ON – MINIMAL ARCH PAIN

Mrs X reported that her arch pain had virtually gone. There was some mild discomfort if she was standing still, without walking, for extended periods, as she had recently done at a work conference. However, she was very comfortable and free from pain at all other times. When palpating her arches, she did not flinch and reported mild tenderness but to pain.

Mrs X was asked to continue her change in eating habits but to now introduce walking. 3 k’s to commence and only twice a week. Her stretching must continue and her training programme would be modified in due course, increasing gradually.

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this case study is specific to one individual patient and should not be taken as general advice. If you have arch pain or a condition causing discomfort in your feet, you should seek the help of a Sports Podiatrist.

For more information, click here: Plantar Fasciitis

Written by Karl Lockett

90,000 Chronic forefoot pain

What causes pain in the forefoot, what is Morton’s neuroma and how to get rid of chronic pain in the foot, says orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, traumatologist surgeon Mikhail Ivanovich Alekseev.

Hello. My name is Mikhail Ivanovich Alekseev, I am an orthopedic traumatologist, and in the clinic I deal with the treatment of foot surgery problems.Today I would like to talk with you about chronic pain in the forefoot, or, as it is called, metatarsalgia. What it is? Very often, patients are concerned about pain in the forefoot. What can it be connected with? Pain in the forefoot hotel can occur in different situations. This is a manifestation of transverse flat feet. What it is? To make it clear to you, I will turn to the dummy. This is our stop. A dummy was made of a not entirely healthy foot, it is a sick, deformed foot. But to make it clear to everyone, we have 3 arches at the foot.This is a longitudinal arch, if we look at everything from the side – this is a longitudinal flatfoot. This is the lateral arch of the foot, which we have here. And what I was talking about – transverse flat feet – this is a longitudinal arch. That is, if you look at the foot from here, we will have just such an arch. That is, this is the transverse arch, which allows us to move smoothly, and the entire load falls on the 1st and 5th metatarsal bones. And 2,3 and 4 in the process of support are not loaded.

With pathology, our situation changes, the foot takes on a different shape.This is a reverse arch, and instead of an arch directed to the rear, we have an arch directed in this direction. And so we have to walk on the small metatarsal bones. This leads to chronic overload and chronic pain. Chronic pain in the forefoot can occur as a result of the development of nerve pathology, the so-called emerging neuroma. Mortan’s neuroma on the foot – maybe you’ve heard, a lot is being said and written about her now – this is also associated with chronic overload. As a result of chronic overload in our intermetatarsal spaces, this is between the second and third toes, that is, in the metatarsal region, due to chronic overload, there is a rearrangement of the plantar nerve, the common digital.It thickens, in this regard, the scar tissue compresses it, and there is constant pain. The pain is worse when walking in tight shoes, the pain is worse when driving a car. With Morton’s neuroma, the pain has a completely characteristic direction. Patients are primarily concerned about the pain of a burning character that shoots into the fingers. The pain is so intense that they have to take off their shoes and stand flexing their feet without shoes. Or when you come home, use ice or a cold bath to relieve pain.Pain in the forefoot can also occur with pathology of the lumbosacral spine. Therefore, it often becomes difficult to diagnose yourself on your own. Even by consulting a general practitioner, it can be very difficult to make the correct diagnosis and, accordingly, choose the right treatment method. Therefore, if pain occurs in the forefoot, of course, it is better to consult a specialist in foot surgery. As a result of the survey, what can we identify and what do we use? First, when examining, we put: there is a transverse flatfoot, there is no transverse flatfoot, there are zones of pathological overloads, there are no zones of pathological overloads, and, accordingly, we can refer to additional methods of examination.This is, first of all, X-ray in standard layings and this is an ultrasound examination of the soft tissues of the foot, which allows us to identify any pathological formations, neuromas, tendon ganglion and, accordingly, choose the correct method of treatment.

What treatments do we use in different situations? I will briefly talk about the correction of transverse flat feet. We use, first of all, surgical interventions aimed at removing these metatarsal bones from the overload zone.This is subjected to osteotomy in special versions, the bones are lifted upward, it all grows together very quickly and the chronic pain goes away. Morton’s neuroma, which I mentioned above, can be treated both conservatively and promptly. In our clinic, indications for surgery have already been developed based on the results of ultrasound examination. If it reaches a certain size, we simply delete it. The operation takes us no more than 10 minutes. Access is minimal up to 2 cm, under intravenous anesthesia, the neuroma is removed, and after 2-3 hours the patient can safely go home on his own feet.After 2 weeks, as a rule, we remove the stitches, and the recovery period ends there. If the neuroma has not reached a certain size, which is given to us by ultrasound, we use conservative methods of treatment, including the selection of individual insoles, we refer them to specialists who deal with this, we can perform therapeutic blockades. That is, 1-2 blockages can remove all your problems that have been troubling you for many, many months. Therefore, we use surgical intervention only on strict indications.

Very often we can do with just such methods as the selection of individual shoes, individual insoles, which leads to a decrease in pain syndrome or to its complete recovery. If you do not contact a specialist in time, then you and I can get a formidable complication of transverse flat feet as damage to the plantar plate, the development of visible deformities. Deformities of the toes. Many have seen or heard when there are patients with such curvatures, the so-called hammer toe, deformity of the foot.This is a consequence of transverse flat feet, which was not diagnosed in time and, accordingly, not treated in time. Therefore, once again I want to remind you that for any pain in the forefoot that occurs against the background of complete health, or arises after an overload, it is better to consult a specialist. You will spend 30-40 minutes of your time, but it will be possible to choose the right treatment on time and correctly.

Date of publication: 08.11.16

90,000 CAUSES OF PAIN IN THE FOOT AND FOOT JOINT

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon (tendonitis) may occur:

• when overloading the legs, if you walk or run an unusually long distance;
• doing this in low-quality or worn-out sports shoes;
• if a person begins intense physical activity without warming up the muscles of the legs.

However, there may be more obscure causes of Achilles tendon inflammation. Often the cause of the problem is not in the tendon, but, for example, in the way of life – if a person smokes, drinks heavily, or is overweight. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can also be the result of improper posture or differences in the anatomy of the foot, leg, or knee, resulting in an uneven distribution of stress on the legs.

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is indicated by:

• pain and stiffness, which are more pronounced in the morning and the next day after physical activity;
• lump in the tendon;

90,029 edema that worsens during the day with stress on the leg.

If the symptoms of inflammation persist within two to three days, you should consult an orthopedic traumatologist.
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, various injections and physiotherapy. In some cases, tendonitis is treated with surgery.

If acute tendonitis is left untreated, the inflammation can become chronic. If left untreated, Achilles tendon inflammation recurs, which increases the chance of rupture of the tendon.The longer chronic inflammation of the Achilles tendon lasts, the more difficult it is to treat.

Achilles tendon rupture can cause the same causes that cause inflammation. The moment of tendon rupture is characterized by a sound and sensation, as if a wide stretched elastic band had burst. After the rupture of the Achilles tendon, it is impossible to stand on tiptoes, swelling quickly forms and intensifies, and severe pain appears. However, while these symptoms are very common, they can indicate other injuries, such as muscle rupture.

The experience of the doctors of the ORTO clinic shows that the most effective and reliable solution in case of rupture of the Achilles tendon is its suturing. The longer this process is delayed, the greater the distance between the ends of the ruptured tendon becomes. To connect them, it may be necessary to lengthen the tendon. After a timely operation – within the first five days after the rupture – a scar of ~ 5 cm. When the ends of the tendon are removed, a larger incision should be made and tendon plastic surgery is required.

Fracture of the ankle. The ankle may break if it is twisted badly, or if it falls or is bruised. A fracture of the ankle is indicated by immediate acute pain, swelling, hemorrhage, the pain intensifies when a person puts his foot down and tries to walk, the foot may be at an unusual angle, since a dislocation was formed as a result of the injury. Considering that the symptoms caused by damage to the ligaments (dislocation) may not differ from the signs indicating a bone fracture, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic traumatologist.

Depending on the specifics of the fracture, it can be treated with plaster cast fixation. If the fracture is complex and soft tissue is damaged, surgical treatment may be required.

Dislocation of the ankle. When a person unsuccessfully places his foot, the ligaments of the foot are unevenly loaded. Depending on the strength with which we perform the wrong movement, some of the ligaments are torn. In everyday life, this injury is called dislocation, and in medicine – damage to the ligaments of the foot. The first symptom of dislocation is pain that appears at the time of injury.Pain may be accompanied by swelling and hemorrhage. After mild dislocations of the ankle, you can walk, and after more serious dislocations, it is difficult to put your foot on the ground due to severe pain. If pain is severe and does not improve within 48 hours of injury, an orthopedic traumatologist should be consulted.

First aid after dislocation: limit movement by fixing the foot with an elastic bandage. Within two days, ice compresses should be used, wrapping pieces of ice and applying them to the swollen area for 10-15 minutes.This procedure must be repeated every 3-4 hours. After 48 hours have passed since the injury, instead of cold procedures, you need to do warming procedures and compresses. This improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.

It is advisable not to load the foot, if necessary, take painkillers. After serious sprains (ruptures of several ligaments), the consequences of which are felt for several months, after consulting an orthopedic traumatologist, you need to start a course of physiotherapy to train the muscles of the foot and restore the elasticity of the ligaments.At home, you need to do circular movements of the feet, as well as stretching and relaxation exercises.

Pain in the heel – plantar fasciitis causes tears and inflammation of the fibrous tissue of the heel connective tissue, caused by an overload of the connective tissue of the foot. The inflammation results in pain in the heel area. This problem more often affects overweight women, as well as people who spend most of the day standing. Heel pain can also appear in athletes – with a load on the leg while running or walking for a long time.

Plantar fasciitis usually develops gradually. Pain is characteristic in the morning, when the foot is again subjected to stress after sleep. Pain also occurs when moving after sitting for a long time.
If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, it can become chronic. A person with persistent pain usually develops an irregular gait, resulting in knee, hip, and back problems.

For the treatment of plantar fasciitis, orthopedic traumatologists usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.The goal of physiotherapy is to teach the patient specific stretching exercises in the foot. Heel pain can be reduced by injecting steroids. During treatment, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and use special orthopedic liners that relieve stress on the connective tissue of the foot. In about 90% of cases, with this treatment of inflammation, the pain goes away within two months. In some chronic cases, it is recommended to undergo surgery.

Heel pain can also be caused by compression of the nerves in the back, ankle or foot, a fractured heel bone, or chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.Therefore, it is important to find out the real cause of heel pain.

Calcaneal spurs is a thickening of the calcaneus (increased mass) in its lower part. Usually, these growths are painless, but in some cases they can cause pain, especially when walking, jumping or running. Heel spurs form when the ligaments, muscles and fibers of the foot are overloaded, for example, if you run or jump a lot.

The disease is characterized by pain in the morning, when the person again loads the leg after sleep.Pain also occurs when moving after sitting for a long time.

Orthopedic traumatologists usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy for the treatment of heel spurs. The goal of physiotherapy is to teach the patient specific stretching exercises in the foot. Heel pain can be reduced by injecting steroids. During treatment, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and use special orthopedic liners that relieve the load on the connective tissue of the heel.

If effective treatment results have not been achieved within 9-12 months, it is recommended to undergo surgery.

Osteoarthritis of the foot joint is a degenerative disease of the hip joint associated with general aging of the body and usually occurs in people over 50 years of age. Osteoarthritis can be caused by a previous fracture of the joint of the foot or other injury. As the articular cartilage wears down, its ability to effectively protect the bones of the joints from direct contact with each other decreases.The result is pain and inflammation. Signs that may indicate osteoarthritis: swelling, stiffness, pain. Gradually, deformity of the foot joint joins these symptoms, joint mobility decreases and difficulties arise when walking.

The intensity of symptoms may vary, sometimes there is a feeling of complete recovery, and at times – very pronounced disorders.

Osteoarthritis does not go away, but you can limit the development of this disease and maximize the quality of life.To do this, you need to take care of your weight, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, study and regularly do a set of exercises to strengthen the ligaments and muscles of the ankle, protect the foot joint from heavy load, and also take anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs after consulting a doctor. Osteoarthritis is also treated surgically – options include arthroscopic surgery (to remove parts of the joint’s cartilage, inflamed tissue and spurs (osteophytes)), as well as endoprosthetics of the foot joint.

Hallux rigidus is a consequence of osteoarthritis. A stiff toe causes pain in the joint of the big toe. The pain is worse when walking. There is stiffness in the joint of the finger and restrictions on movement. This disease develops more often in people with deformed anatomy of the foot, as well as after foot injuries.

Osteoarthritis does not go away, but you can limit the development of this disease and maximize the quality of life.
Doctors usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and steroid injections into the painful joint of the finger to reduce the disturbance caused by the stiff finger.During treatment, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and use special orthopedic liners that relieve stress on the thumb joint.

Stiff toes are also treated surgically – options include cleaning the joint, replacing the thumb joint or closing the joint.

Morton’s neuroma is caused by improper loading of the foot, for example, prolonged wearing of shoes with a narrow toe. Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma: sharp, sudden pain in the balls of the feet near the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th toes.Symptoms are caused by a thickening of a nerve around the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th toes at the bottom of the foot. With an increase in the volume of the nerve, adjacent tissues begin to press on it. As a result, pain and inflammation can occur.

To reduce the disorders caused by Morton’s neuroma, doctors usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers, and also suggest injecting steroids to quickly relieve pain. During treatment, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and use special orthopedic liners that relieve stress on the ball of the foot.

Morton’s neuroma is also treated surgically by removing the thickened nerve. In some cases, a neuroma can be successfully treated with radio frequency (by burning the thickened nerve with a special instrument).

Halux valgus or deformity of the first metatarsal bone – The inner bone of the foot (first metatarsal bone) extends outward. It is commonly referred to as bone growth and people often think of this process as bone enlargement. The bone doesn’t actually grow. But instead of being vertical to the big toe, the bone begins to move outward.The more this progression of the bone progresses, the more the relationship with the adjacent bones changes, as a result of which the second toe of the foot may not be next to, but above the big toe.

Halux valgus provokes the regular wearing of high-heeled shoes, as well as the natural aging process of a person. When choosing such shoes, the foot is not evenly loaded, and the toes have to withstand the increased load. This disease also often develops simultaneously with flat feet.The outward extension of the inner bone of the foot can also be caused by endocrine diseases, osteoporosis, or a genetic predisposition.

Bone deformity occurs slowly, and in this disease, you need to choose and wear comfortable, suitable shoes. Bone inflammation is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the deformity becomes so severe that it is difficult to wear shoes, and the bone is regularly inflamed and sore, surgery is the solution.

Flat feet can appear and progress in both children and adults.The main task of the instep of the foot (longitudinal arch of the foot) is to provide body balance and shock absorption when walking. The less the lift, the more load our locomotor apparatus has to withstand – legs, joints, spine. The consequence of pronounced flat feet can be pain in the legs, knees, hips, sacrum and back.

Signs of flat feet: an increase in the size of the foot, both in width and in length, shoe trampling along the entire inner edge, pain and fatigue in the feet after a long walk or physical exertion.

If, during the consultation, the orthopedic traumatologist did not find a serious deformation, and the person does not have complaints of frequent, uncomfortable pain, the condition of the foot can be improved by choosing comfortable and high-quality shoes, studied under the guidance of a physiotherapist and regularly performing special exercises, the purpose of which – to strengthen the ligaments and muscles of the foot.

Flat feet can be treated surgically by implanting a special screw between the bones of the foot, which will further ensure the correct bending of the arch of the foot.The main indication for foot bone surgery is pain and gait disturbances, not aesthetic considerations.

Ingrown toenails are a common problem when the edges of the nails grow into soft tissue. This causes pain, redness, swelling, and inflammation. This problem most commonly affects the big toenail. It is recommended to consult an orthopedic traumatologist if this problem persists and causes inconvenience. Shoes with narrow toes contribute to ingrowth of toenails, the habit of trimming the nails too short, cutting out the corners, and nail injury.

Inflammation that occurs when toenails grow into soft tissue can cause inflammation of the thumb bone and lead to a serious bone infection.

To reduce the discomfort caused by an ingrown toenail, the doctor may free up part of the ingrown toenail by placing a small splint between the nail and the skin. A nail fixed in this way can change the direction of growth and stop growing into soft tissues. To solve the ingrown toenail problem, sometimes partial or complete surgical removal of the toenail is required.

90,000 Why does the middle foot hurt | Clinic “Hello!”

05/17/2019

The foot is a rather complex anatomical structure. Due to heavy loads, the phenomenon when the foot hurts in the middle is not uncommon. The nature of the pain is very different:

• aching;
• one-time;
• pulling;
• constant;
• disappears during rest.

May be accompanied by tingling, numbness, burning, itching.

The reasons why the arch of the foot hurts

Practice suggests that many things can cause discomfort in the legs. Wearing uncomfortable shoes, for example, is easily fixable and not very dangerous if you change your shoes in time. Other reasons lead to the destruction of joints and bones, and threaten disability. Therefore, it is unreasonable to ignore the signals of the body. Injuries often occur that also cause severe pain and require treatment. Excess weight puts additional stress on the feet and contributes to the deterioration of their structures.

Lead to discomfort and pain:

• physical activity;

90,029 weak muscles;

• calcium deficiency;
• corns;
• continuous squeezing;

90,029 fungal infections;

• deep calluses;

90,029 tumors;

• metabolic disorders.

Which doctor should I contact? Will help get rid of the disease that attacked the foot:

• surgeon;
• rheumatologist;
• orthopedist;
• neurologist;
• vertebrologist.

Due to what diseases the inside of the foot hurts

Physicians are aware of a number of ailments of various etiologies that give pain. This includes:

90,028 90,029 arthritis;

90,029 gout;

Let’s consider them in more detail.

1. Flat feet. If the foot hurts in the middle from the inside, the reason may be deformation. Weak ligaments and muscles, heavy loads, pregnancy – all this affects the condition of the arch of the foot. Not one of the ages is immune from this pathology.

Doctors consider several types of flat feet:

• congenital;
• traumatic;
• paralytic;
• static;
• traumatic.

Swelling, cramps, leg fatigue are the most harmless consequences of flattening. The disease harms the spine, since the load is not distributed correctly, from which the entire musculoskeletal system suffers. In particular, the longitudinal arch of the foot hurts.

To correct the situation, a person is recommended to wear insoles, use pain relievers. It is necessary to undergo physiotherapy, take vitamin complexes, do therapeutic exercises. Early detection of pathology contributes to its faster and easier treatment.

2. The heel spur, as the disease is popularly called, in medical practice has the terminological designation “plantar fasciitis”. It all starts with inflammation of the connective tissue, a person feels pain in the foot between the heel and toe. More often, those who have to be on their feet for a long time are susceptible to the disease. Over time, the heel bone deforms, the spur grows. It, in turn, injures the surrounding tissues and further exacerbates the course of the disease.

As a rule, special shoes are prescribed, various physiotherapeutic procedures that can eliminate the build-up.Surgeons are involved in the treatment process in extreme cases. Rehabilitation after surgery takes a long time and is difficult, a person cannot walk for some time. Therefore, they try to do with conservative methods.

3. Osteoporosis occurs as a reaction of the body to a lack of trace elements, vitamins, calcium. This leads to fragility of bones, severe fatigue, decreased growth, poor blood circulation. More often, this ailment appears in people of age, needs long-term medical support, otherwise frequent fractures are inevitable.This is extremely dangerous for the elderly. Patients are prescribed drugs with fluoride, vitamin complexes.

4. For males, a pathology called obliterating endarteritis is characteristic. A dangerous disease with an unclear etiology leading to gangrene. Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels constricts them, blood circulation fails and tissue fester. There is pain in the foot in the middle from the inside, the fingers feel tingling, cramps occur, in advanced cases, the skin on the legs cracks, the muscles atrophy, then gangrene sets in.The foot has to be amputated.

If you turn to specialists in time, therapy will include:

• active physiotherapy;
• taking medications to normalize blood flow;
• rejection of factors leading to vasoconstriction, for example, smoking;
• drugs that relieve inflammation;
• exercise therapy.

Surgical treatments – removal of blood clots and placement of shunts.

5. Prolonged exertion and trauma results in tendonitis, ie.e. tendon inflammation. The development of the disease is slow, minor pain slowly develops into chronic. The pain syndrome will disturb the inner part of the foot, swelling will occur, a crunch will be heard, the skin will turn red. The disease threatens to provoke tissue rupture.

To put them in order, a person drinks anti-inflammatory and anesthetic agents, undergoes physiotherapy, takes massages and baths. Bandages that relieve the load from the injured limb become a passive remedy.

6. Arthritis and gout are also considered among the reasons why the foot hurts in the middle.

7. The inflammatory process in the ligaments is called ligamentitis. Its symptoms are edema, hyperemia, local temperature rise, poor joint function. Treatment is based on how quickly the disease progresses. As a rule, it is possible to dwell on therapeutic methods, but the operation is not excluded if the pathology is neglected and has spread to neighboring organs and tissues.

Diagnosis of pathology in which the foot hurts in the middle when walking

The first specialist who accepts a person with complaints of leg discomfort is a therapist.He examines the limb, probes painful areas, gives referral to narrower specialists.

Visual inspection gives an indication of:

• foot relief;

90,029 swelling;

• elasticity of the foot;
• gait specifics;

90,029 joint range of motion;

90,029 condition of the skin;

90,029 finger positions.

To see the internal state of the entire foot, the patient goes through:

• X-ray;
• arthroscopy;
• tomography;
• ultrasound;
• makes an imprint of the sole.

The doctor may prescribe urine, blood tests, and joint fluid sampling.

What treatment is needed if the foot hurts when walking in the middle

To stop pain and eliminate inflammation, nonsteroidal drugs are prescribed. If the pathology has affected the articular structures, chondroprotectors will be needed.

Orthopedic footwear, insoles, cuts relieves the condition of the foot.

It has long been tested and proven that physiotherapy is indispensable for various ailments of joints, ligaments, bones.Therefore, such procedures are prescribed quite actively. Acupuncture and hirudotherapy are also used.

To improve the condition of all structures of the foot, the patient is prescribed a course of physiotherapy, which is performed with the participation of an exercise therapy instructor.

Surgeons come to the rescue in difficult cases.

Foot pain: where does it come from and how to avoid it :: Health :: RBC Style

© Peter Dazeley / Getty

Author

Evgeniya Zaitseva

27 August 2020

After summer tourist outings, foot pains may worsen in the fall.They usually receive little attention, and most people are unaware of what problems they might signal. Understanding the issue before the start of the season of uncomfortable office shoes.

The author of the article is Evgenia Zaitseva, an orthopedic surgeon with 20 years of experience in treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, a full member of the Society of the Order of Italian Physicians.

Causes of foot pain

According to the Center for Hygienic Education of the Population of Rospotrebnadzor, among the diseases of the feet, flat feet occupies one of the leading positions [1]. In a healthy foot, the load is distributed between three support points: the back of the heel, the big toe plus the head of the metatarsal bone, and the outer edge of the foot. When the foot is deformed for one reason or another, there is an imbalance in the load, a change in the structure of the osteo-ligamentous apparatus, and as a result, pain occurs, leading to the development of various diseases.

As for people who were not genetically predisposed to flat feet and did not earn it in their youth, noticeable changes begin to occur after 40 years. The body is no longer so resistant to excessive loads, including on the joints, hormonal changes occur, the wear and tear of the osteo-ligamentous apparatus increases, the risk of excess weight gain increases, which adversely affects the feet.

With age, the articular and bone structures cannot fully perform their functions: walking and damping the load.Therefore, the causes of pain in a completely healthy person can be fatigue, prolonged physical activity, improperly selected shoes when playing sports.

Non-mechanical causes of pain in the foot include the presence of the following diseases: metabolic disorder, gout, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins [2] and other vascular diseases, post-traumatic changes (improperly treated subluxation of the legs, etc.).

Let’s look at the main situations associated with pain in the foot:

Lit foot and toe pads

Uncomfortable shoes are most likely the cause.The load is not properly distributed, causing the pads under the metatarsal bones to become inflamed and sore. You can relieve symptoms with a relaxing foot bath and light self-massage. But you need to see a doctor for treatment. Most likely, you will hear the diagnosis “Metatarsalgia”.

Joints in the area of ​​the fingertips hurt

This symptom is characteristic of Morton’s neuroma [3]. The unpleasant sensations are associated with irritation of the nerve passing between the heads of the metatarsal bones of the third and fourth fingers.

At the initial stage of the disease, the pain may be mild, later it may be aggravated by a burning sensation, it will begin to “shoot through”, and the foot will be uncomfortable in almost any shoe with a closed nose.

Heel hurts

The most common cause is a bony build-up on the heel, or heel spur. It occurs as a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia [4] due to incorrectly selected shoes and improper load distribution in them. The spur gives pain when the heel is loaded, which is why a person involuntarily throws the load on other parts of the foot, as a result, posture and balance are disturbed.The formation of a heel spur and the appearance of pain in it speaks of a chronic process. It is definitely not worth postponing treatment.

Back of the foot

The cause of the pain is the deformation of the metatarsal bone in the thumb and the development of bursitis. The bone itself does not hurt, the inflamed joint capsule causes unpleasant sensations. Due to the protruding bone, the shoes become tight and chafe, which leads to inflammation.

Fifth metatarsal bone (outer part of the foot)

Pain in this part of the foot indicates the development of varus deformity [5] (fifth metatarsal bone).This is the so-called bump on the foot next to the little finger. The most common cause of the development of this disorder is flat feet, clubfoot or a change in the shape of the legs (“legs with a wheel”). Due to excessive stress on the outer part, the fifth metatarsal flattened.

Pain over the heel (achilles tendon pain)

The Achilles tendon is located where it most often rubs the top of the heel of the shoe. It is because of the frequent friction and excessive pressure that inflammation occurs. For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to choose the right shoes and protect this weak point by raising the heel higher (with an insole, heel pad) so that the Achilles tendon does not experience pressure.

Ankle pain

The ankle has a supporting function. Various subluxations and injuries (including improperly treated ones) can provoke inflammation of both the joint capsule and the ligamentous apparatus.

© Sorrorwoot Chaiyawong / EyeEm / Getty

Interdigital calluses

The main reason for their occurrence is too narrow uncomfortable shoes.It is better not to ignore this problem. You can cover the callus with a plaster, this will prevent mechanical damage to the skin, but the frequent wearing of uncomfortable shoes will entail more serious disorders in the structure of the foot and in the proper functioning of the joints.

Corns

We should be alarmed by corns, because they have a protective function. The body begins to defend itself and develops keratinization, hyperkeratosis occurs – coarsening of the skin of the feet.

Corns and calluses appear in those parts of the foot on which a large load falls.And if now there are no pain manifestations, there is a high risk of earning them. The pressure on the foot should be corrected with orthopedic insoles, which can be worn with both sneakers and fashion shoes.

Foot pain treatment

The main advice is to be careful about your feet. If you notice corns, calluses, feel tired or burning, the body itself informs you that it needs rest and the load needs to be adjusted. It is also important to respond promptly to pain in the lower leg and knee joints.Often they say that the pressure balance is imbalanced. At least an orthopedic examination and the selection of individual insoles will help to return the situation to normal.

Do not sit cross-legged and avoid other non-physiological positions of the legs and feet that disrupt the work of the circulatory system.

In case of weight gain (including during pregnancy) wear orthopedic insoles . The foot is not ready for sudden increases in load, and it literally needs additional support.

Choose footwear for sports activities. It is important to take into account the nature of the activity (running or exercising with equipment), as well as systematically change the sneakers, as the shock absorbers in them wear out over time.

Reduce the time of wearing uncomfortable shoes: with narrow toes, high heels, flat soles. If uncomfortable shoes are a permanent part of your wardrobe, try to reduce the stress by choosing a comfortable pair for the afternoon.

Walk barefoot on sand, grass, ground. This can be called a natural massage of the reflexogenic points of the feet, due to which muscle tone rises and blood circulation improves.

Do self-massage. At the end of the day, you can relieve fatigue and restore blood circulation using self-massage and rolling your feet on a roller (you can use a bottle from available tools).

The bone on the leg: why did the birkenstock not help?

90,000 The foot hurts between the heel and the toe: how to treat, the causes of pain

The author of the article: Eduard Svitich – orthopedic traumatologist

The foot is the most durable section of the musculoskeletal system.The weight of the whole body presses on it, and when walking or running, the load on the feet exceeds the body weight at times. The most complex structure of the sole allows you to withstand loads and maintain active movement.

Contents:

What is on the foot between the heel and toe?

Each foot has about 26 bones that are connected by ligaments. The strongest and largest of these is the plantar fascia (aponeurosis). It looks like a wide plate that connects the heel and the base of the toes.If we imagine that the bend of the foot is the shaft of the bow, the fascia is its bowstring, it keeps the arch from sagging and springs for shock absorption.

Why does the foot hurt in the middle

A healthy plantar (or plantar) fascia is quite elastic and only slightly stretches under stress. If the height of the vaults falls, the attachment points of the fascia diverge and it stretches. A tightly stretched ligament, with even greater tension, no longer stretches, but breaks.

Tightening the ligament can lead to various symptoms. All of them unambiguously disrupt the health of the feet and severely limit activity. Inflammation of the fascia is called plantar fasciitis and can manifest itself in several forms:

• Proximal fasciitis. Sharp, sharp or aching pain appears deep in the heel region. The “heel spur” on the radiograph is only a sign that the fascia has been tense for a long time. In this case, the pain is caused not by a bone spike, but by damage to the fibers of the ligament.
• Median form. Very common. The foot seems to split with every step. The sole aches and hurts, sometimes the discomfort simply makes it impossible to move. Rarely, an extensive rupture of the plantar ligament can occur: the pain becomes unbearable, the foot swells, the vaults are flattened.
• Distal form. Pain bothers in the area closer to the fingers. It is less common, can mimic the symptoms of transverse flatfoot, Morton’s disease.

Plantar fasciitis is usually treated

The acute phase of the disease is usually treated symptomatically.The patient is advised to walk less, apply ice packs to the painful area through the tissue. With a significant intensity of discomfort, anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended. These are absolutely correct prescriptions for a short-term fight against an exacerbation.

It is somewhat worse if the doctor begins the treatment of fasciitis with rather dangerous and unreliable methods. Although they can quickly relieve pain, there will be more complications in the long term. Techniques that are still actively practiced contrary to international recommendations include:

• Blockade with steroid hormones.It is “heavy artillery” that dampens pain well, but often does more harm. Steroids slow down regeneration, reduce the strength of the ligaments, and reduce local immunity. The most dangerous side effect is the resorption of the fat pad in the heel. Sometimes a single injection of the hormone is permissible, but regular use will certainly lead to complications.
• Radiotherapy. You can also meet patients who by all means try to get on the X-ray of the heel, believing that it will remove the “heel spur”.In fact, a bone thorn can only be removed by a special radiation device, which is used to fight tumors. On its way, a concentrated beam of radiation destroys all cells, and its use is justified only in oncology.

How to treat fasciitis correctly

The most effective and lasting treatment is always aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. The main factors in the development of fasciitis are foot overload and decreased elasticity of the fascia. Therefore, actions aimed at unloading the vaults and improving the quality of the ligaments lead to the most noticeable results.Most importantly, effective treatments for fasciitis are safe.

Plantar fasciitis is a disease that requires the active participation of the patient himself. Of course, it seems easier to give an injection and forget about the pain. But until the patient himself improves the work of his body, the symptoms will return and increase. Here are some of the most effective methods for the ultimate heel-toe pain relief:

• Quality orthopedic insoles. Better if they are individual.Elastic protrusions of the instep supports massage the aponeurosis, improve its blood circulation and elasticity. Correct insoles support the vaults well and take stress away from the fascia.

• Physical exercise. A competent rehabilitation therapist will write down a training regimen and “stretching” that will work most effectively for you. With regular exercise, it is possible to increase the elasticity of the fascia and muscles, which significantly reduces discomfort.
• Night tires.Strong plates that are worn on the leg during sleep and improve the metabolism of the aponeurosis. During the night, the body tissues are most pliable, which allows the splint to effectively increase their elasticity.

Medtekhnika Stores Ortosalon – professional establishments where you can undergo foot diagnostics and choose the most suitable orthopedic products. A large selection of therapeutic and prophylactic insoles, massagers and splints allows you to individually approach any form of fasciitis.Experienced consultants will help you determine the optimal models to improve the performance of your feet.

90,000 Causes of heel pain – symptoms, which doctor to see

The human foot is very complicated. With a unique cushioning mechanism, it provides gait stability, speed and heel-based agility. This is the most important part of the foot, which bears a lot of stress. The special structure of the bone and the thick layer of soft tissue allow us to walk comfortably.But if there is pain in the heel, this is an extremely unpleasant sensation. The pain can be sharp, stabbing, aching, constant or intermittent.

The frequency of spread of heel pain is difficult to determine. Many people, periodically experiencing pain, prefer to endure it or treat themselves without going to a doctor.

Causes of heel pain

The cause of heel pain is inflammation. It, in turn, can be caused by various factors.

• Injury.Most often, heel pain occurs due to inflammation caused by injury to the heel structures – mechanical damage to the heel bone, tendons, bursae or ligaments. Because of this, pathologies accompanied by pain can develop – cracks in the calcaneus, bruises, sprains of the ankle ligaments and the Achilles tendon, heel spurs and bursitis.
• The second most common cause of inflammation and pain in the heel area is metabolic disorders: diabetes mellitus and gout.In diabetes mellitus, the walls of the blood vessels are affected. Veins in the legs are the first to suffer from diabetic angiopathy. With gout, uric acid salts accumulate in the joints and periarticular structures. Vascular disorders in diabetes and uric acid accumulation in gout are the causes of pain.
• Occasionally, the heels can hurt during inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases, such as reactive arthritis. Rarely, heel pain can occur due to inflammatory lesions of the heel structures by pathogenic microbes.As a rule, purulent inflammation of the calcaneus is observed in tuberculosis and osteomyelitis.

What can hurt in the heel

Calcaneus. Pain in it arises from inflammation in reactive arthritis, epiphysitis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, osteochondropathy of the tubercle and fractures.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue. Involved in pathological processes when structures underneath are damaged. They hurt with diabetic angiopathy, gout, ankle sprains, heel spurs, etc.d.

Synovial bags. There are two of them in the heel area – the retrocalcaneal and superficial bursa of the Achilles tendon. Pain with bursitis.

Ligaments and fascia. The lateral ligaments of the ankle are most commonly affected. It hurts with bruises and sprains on the back of the foot. Plantar – plantar fascia – usually hurts with plantar fasciitis – heel spur.

Achilles tendon. When it is inflamed, the back of the heel hurts.

Nerves and blood vessels. Nerves, as a rule, become inflamed in any pathology of the calcaneal structures. Vascular damage causes pain in bruises, diabetic angiopathy, osteomyelitis and tuberculosis of the calcaneus.

Intermetatarsal joints. The talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneo-cuboid joints usually hurt with gout.

Which doctor should you go to when your heel hurts

First of all, with heel pain, it is necessary to exclude more dangerous diseases that require urgent treatment.Therefore, the first specialist to consult for heel pain is a surgeon.

Diseases in which heel pains are possible:

• heel spur, or plantar fasciitis;

90,029 bursitis;

• Haglund deformation;
• tarsal tunnel syndrome;
• tuberculosis of the calcaneus;
• osteomyelitis;

90,029 reactive arthritis;

• osteochondropathy;
• epiphysitis;
• diabetic angiopathy;

90,029 gout;

• bruises;

90,029 stretching;

90,029 tendon inflammation;

• cracks.

Common Complaints

If you have pain on the inside of the heel, first of all, you need to exclude the heel spur – for this, an x-ray is taken. If there are no spurs, the cause of side pain may be injuries, foot deformities or excessive loads – excess weight, uncomfortable shoes, hard physical labor.

If the heel hurts when walking and it hurts to step on it, try to reduce the load and see a doctor. With the described symptoms, first of all, heel spur, achillitis, osteochondropathy of the heel tuberosity, bursitis or load periostitis are suspected.In addition to them, infectious diseases, oncology and injuries are possible. The tactics of individual differential diagnostics are developed by the attending physician.

Most often, the heel hurts the field of sleep with a heel spur. The disease is characterized by intense pain in the heels in the morning, in the afternoon it subsides.

Diagnosis of heel pain

When visiting a doctor, the examination is carried out according to a specific plan. The doctor asks in detail about the complaints, specifying their nature, type and localization of pain, examines the affected area.If necessary, prescribes a number of laboratory tests and instrumental examinations. These include:

• Complete blood count. It is necessary to detect the inflammatory process, reduce hemoglobin in case of anemia, change the level of platelets in case of blood coagulation problems.
• Blood biochemistry. The analysis will show the available changes in metabolic processes, will help in identifying diabetic lesions, rheumatoid, gouty arthritis, infections caused by pathogenic streptococci.
• Analysis for tumor markers. It is needed if there is a suspicion of bone tumor processes.
• Sowing of purulent discharge on the flora. It is necessary in the presence of purulent lesions, the selection of antimicrobial drugs.
• Radiography of the bones and soft tissues of the foot. It will help in identifying unexplained pain in the heel, including after injury, against the background of degenerative processes.
• Ultrasound in the detection of arthritis, bursitis, neuroma, tunnel syndrome with the definition of the localization of the focus of inflammation.
• Puncture of a bone or bursa if infectious or neoplastic lesions are suspected.
• CT or MRI for accurate diagnosis of damage to any structure in the area of ​​the foot and heel.

Methods for the treatment of heel pain

They try to treat pathologies of the heel area conservatively, but this is not always possible. If conservative therapy is ineffective, this is an indication for surgery. Surgical treatment quickly and permanently removes the cause of heel pain.Modern surgery is based on minimally invasive outpatient techniques with minimal trauma and a short recovery period.

Heel spur

Surgical treatment of a heel spur is indicated if conservative therapy fails within 6 months. Types of operations for heel spur – osteophyte removal and plantar fasciotomy.

Interventions are performed under local anesthesia. Through a small incision, the surgeon inserts an endoscopic probe and microsurgical instruments.Under the control of a micro-video camera, he excises the bone growth, and, if necessary, the inflamed area of ​​the fascia. So that the nerve is not squeezed in the future, the thick part of the adductor muscle of the big toe is dissected.

For more information on the diagnosis and methods of removing a heel spur, click here.

If pain with a heel spur is caused not by an osteophyte, but by excessive tension of the plantar aponeurosis, tenotomy is done – a partial dissection of the tendon. The operation is performed without incisions – through punctures using a high-frequency electric current (radio frequency tenotomy).

Bursitis

Bursectomy – surgical removal of the bursa – is indicated when conservative treatment of bursitis is ineffective. The operation is performed without incisions using arthroscopic technique.

Through 2-3 punctures with a diameter of 4-5 mm, microsurgical instruments and a miniature video camera are inserted into the joint. The articular capsule is dissected and removed. A sterile bandage is applied to the incisions. The duration of the procedure is about 30 minutes. The recovery period is 2 days.

Haglund Deformation

If conservative treatment of Haglund’s deformity is ineffective, surgical intervention is indicated. During endoscopic surgery – without incisions – the bone growth is removed from the surface of the calcaneal tuberosity, after which the retrocalcaneal bursa is excised. Thus, the mechanical functions of the Achilles tendon are restored and the cause of the pain is eliminated.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by large pathological formations in the tarsal canal – both congenital and acquired as a result of foot deformity – requires surgical treatment.During the operation, the pathogens are removed and the normal patency of the canal is restored.

Calcaneus tuberculosis

In the late stages of tuberculosis, as well as with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy, surgical treatment is indicated. During the operation, the dead tissue of the calcaneus is excised and the cavities formed inside it are disinfected.

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus

In case of osteomyelitis, during the operation, a purulent focus on the calcaneus is opened, it is cleaned of pus and dead tissue, after which the area of ​​localization of inflammation is thoroughly disinfected.

At the initial appointment, the surgeon will either rule out an urgent pathology and refer you to a specialized specialist, or immediately begin treatment.

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Foot alarms

Do you think that only children and adolescents should buy shoes for growth? Not at all.Also for adults who suffer from flat feet. And it can be different – longitudinal, transverse and longitudinal-transverse. By the way, in developed countries, foot pathology is a problem for more than 60% of the population of active age. Moreover, women suffer four times more often than men. The same situation is with us. And although many do not consider flat feet to be a serious disease, scientists have their own opinion on this matter.

When patients just enter the office, the specialist already sees what is happening. With flat feet, pain occurs both in the foot itself and in the muscles of the lower leg, explains Associate Professor of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Belarusian State Medical University, Candidate of Medical Sciences Evgeny Mikhnovich:

– Sometimes edema appears.Having such a problem, a person goes to the doctors, but he does not receive an answer to the question of why this is happening to him. In the meantime, the cause of the pain may be the displacement of the heel.

Our foot has many functions, one of them is shock-absorbing, designed to absorb all the shocks of the foot on the ground. But this applies to a healthy leg. A flat foot copes with such a load badly – it seems to read all the bumps on the road, and pain arises. The pressure on the spine, ankle, knee and hip joints increases, which leads to the premature development of arthrosis and destruction of the joints.

It is impossible not to notice the first signs of flat feet, because pain and fatigue appear in the legs. An alarming signal is unusually rapid wear on the heels, often on the inside. Often, the usual size ceases to fit, you have to buy a new pair one size larger.

A person with flat feet usually rests when walking not on three points of the foot – near the little toe, big toe and heel, but also in the middle. As a result, the bones are deformed. Therapeutic exercises, insoles, interdigital rollers, physiotherapy at the onset of the disease help to “preserve” it.But every fourth flatfoot is still progressing and requires surgical intervention.

Why does the foot become flattened and begin to deform? For example, longitudinal flat feet occurs due to static overload of the feet, features of the anatomical structure, when even the usual load is perceived as excessive. Another reason is a congenital predisposition, “flimsy” and instability of the ligamentous apparatus. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis leads to deformities of the toes.

Wearing uncomfortable shoes with a narrow toe with high heels can also noticeably spoil the legs. However, many women are not even aware of their flat feet, because their toes are still flat, and in general, nothing bothers. But when corns appear on the sole, this is a clear sign of transverse flat feet.

Many people try to remove corns in pedicure salons. But there is little sense in this, because the cause of the troubles is in the transverse flat feet, Yevgeny Mikhnovich draws attention.In such a situation, only the operation saves: then the corns will not have to be removed, because they disappear by themselves and no longer appear.

Transverse flat feet occurs mainly in women: according to statistics, 55% of women over 20 suffer from this ailment. But flat feet, or longitudinal flat feet, have 17-29% of the population, while the disease is more common in men

ADVICE OF DOCTOR MIKHNOVICH

• If you are diagnosed with flat feet, do not stand for a long time in one position, shift from foot to foot, walk more.Incorrect loading leads to deforming arthrosis, or, as they say, to the deposition of salts. Then the pain intensifies.

• Do physical therapy every day.

• Use orthopedic insoles.

• Perform various physiotherapy procedures once a year, including massage of the calf muscles.

• Walk barefoot, but only on uneven surfaces – pebbles, sand, pebbles, bumps.When a person stands on an uneven surface, the sole of the foot is reflexively irritated, the muscles of the lower leg begin to contract automatically, which come to tone.

• Purchase a plastic spiked mat for daily use. In the morning, when you wash, you can stand on it barefoot. The same rug can be placed near the stove where food is prepared, but you do not need to stand on it for hours.

TEST

If the shoe wears out on the heel in the heel area and only slightly on the outside, then the foot is healthy.As soon as the heel “slides off” from the place provided by nature, as if turning outward, the heel grinds on the inner surface, which indicates longitudinal flat feet. With an advanced form of the disease, shoes are trampled not only in the heel area, but also along the entire inner surface of the sole, which is characteristic of pronounced longitudinal flat feet.

However, there is also a transverse flat foot, in which the shoe is trampled in width in the forefoot and is deformed in the area of ​​the large bone of the base of the first toe.And if bumps appear on the surface of shoes or boots, it means that the middle toes of the foot are deformed in the form of hammers. By the way, it is the transverse flat feet that leads to the pushing of the shoe insole to the holes under the heads of the middle metatarsal bones.

The scientist believes that no one is immune from flat feet. Even the profession of a person affects the probable possibility of a disease. Longitudinal flat feet are more common in people who are overweight, in those engaged in heavy physical labor, and transverse – in ballerinas.