Causes of Foot Pain

Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board

Common Causes of Foot Pain & Injuries and how to treat them

There are many causes of foot pain and around 20% of people will suffer from foot problems at some point in their lives.

Foot pain can have a major impact on our daily lives, so it is really important to find out what is causing the problem and start treatment as soon as possible.

Foot pain may come on gradually or suddenly, be linked to a specific injury or have no obvious cause at all. 

Common Causes Of Foot Pain

The main causes of foot pain come from:

  • Bone Damage: e.g. bone spurs, bunions or stress fractures
  • Soft Tissues Injuries: muscles, ligaments and tendons e.g. ligament sprain or tendonitis
  • Medical Conditions: e.g. gout or trench foot
  • Skin & Nail Problems: e.g. corns, eczema or ingrown toenails

Here you will find an overview of the most common causes of foot pain. You can find out more about each one including the best treatment options for each by reading the full articles. They are listed alphabetically but at the end of this page you can search by how common each of these causes of foot pain are, ranging from very common to rare.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis: a common cause of foot and calf pain. Find out about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.

Inflammation and degeneration of the achilles tendon in the lower calf or back of the heel

Causes: Repetitive stress through the tendon, bone spurs, muscle imbalance

Symptoms: Pain, worse in the morning, thickened lump in tendon, stiffness

Full Article: Achilles Tendonitis

Accessory Navicular Syndrome

Accessory Navicular Syndrome: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Irritation of a small extra bone found in 10% of the population

Causes: Genetics, injury, overuse

Symptoms: hard lump, pain and inflammation inner foot arch

Full Article: Accessory Navicular Syndrome

Blue Toe Syndrome

Blue Toe Syndrome: Causes foot pain and discoloration. Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Reduction in blood flow to the feet causing reduced in oxygen and glucose levels

Causes: Blockages in small blood vessels from cholesterol crystals or plaque deposits

Symptoms: Sudden, intense pain, blue or red skin discoloration

Full Article: Blue Toe Syndrome

Bone Spurs

Bone Spurs are common causes of foot pain. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment options

Small, outgrowths of bone that can irritate the surrounding structures

Causes: Friction on the bone from overuse, muscle tightness or tight footwear

Symptoms: Hard lump, localised pain, stiffness, secondary problems e.g. callus formation & nerve irritation

Full Article: Bone Spurs

Bunions

Bunions cause toe deformity. Find out about common causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment options including how to avoid surgery

Deformity of the foot bones causing a hard lump and toe deviation

Causes: Genetics, tight footwear, flat feet

Symptoms: Gradual and progressive toe deviation and pain, hard lump, redness & inflammation

Full Article: Bunions & Bunionettes

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Typical presentation of the foot with Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

A progressive neurological condition affecting the transmission of nerve signals

Causes: Genetic disease affecting protein production leading to nerve degeneration

Symptoms: Weakness and decreased sensation, altered foot position, curled toes

Full Article: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Corns & Calluses

Foot Corns & Calluses: Find out what they are, how they are different and how to treat them

Areas of thickened, hard, raised skin. Typically develop on the toes and heels

Causes: Friction, tight-fitting shoes, altered foot shape e.g. bunions, aging

Symptoms: Thickened, hardened patches. Calluses can be large but usually painless, corns tend to be small, circular and painful

Full Article: Foot Corns & Calluses

Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid Syndrome: One of the causes of outer foot pain. Find out about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment options

Partial dislocation of the cuboid bone on the outer side of the foot. Rare cause of foot pain

Causes: Ankle sprain (inversion injury), repetitive jumping or running, flat feet

Symptoms: Pain on outside of foot, worse on initial movement and during push-off phase of walking/running

Full Article: Cuboid Syndrome

Eczema

Foot Eczema: Causes, treatment and prevention options

Inflammation and damage due to the skin being unable to retain moisture. Many different types e.g. atopic dermatitis

Causes: Hyper-sensitivity to allergens and irritants, lack of protein in the skin, genetics, stress, hot weather

Symptoms: Dry, itchy, red patches of skin, spots and blistering

Full Article: Foot Eczema

Foot Tendonitis

Tendonitis - Inflammation & Degeneration of the Foot Tendons: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Inflammation and degeneration in tendons, connective tissues linking muscle to bone

Causes: Overloading, over-stretching, flat feet, injury, inflammatory conditions

Symptoms: Sharp, burning pain, stiffness, swelling, hard lump

Full Article: Foot Tendonitis

Gout Foot

Gout most commonly affects the foot. Check out these simple ways to prevent gout attacks

Joint inflammation from build-up of uric acid crystals - common causes of foot pain

Causes: Diet, medication, genetics, medical conditions, obesity

Symptoms: Intense pain, swelling and redness. Lasts 5-10 days and often recurs

Full Article: Foot Gout

Haglund's Deformity

Haglund's Deformity: Causes pain and swelling behind the heel. Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment options

Bony growth on back of the heel which irritates surrounding structures aka Pump Bump 

Causes: Rigid-backed shoes, high foot arches, calf tightness, genetics

Symptoms: Hard lump on back of heel, swelling, redness and pain around the achilles

Full Article: Haglund's Deformity

Hallux Rigidus

Common Causes Of Foot Pain: Hallux Rigidus - stiff big toe

Stiffness and pain in the big toe from arthritis

Causes: wear and tear, footwear, genetics, injury, biomechanics

Symptoms: Stiff big toe, pain, difficulty walking

Full Article: Hallux Rigidus

Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown Toenails: How to treat them and stop them coming back again

Edges of toenail curl in, pushing into the surrounding skin aka ungius incarnatus

Causes: Tight-fitting shoes, injury, incorrect toenail cutting technique, injury, genetics

Symptoms: Progressive redness, pain and inflammation, extra skin growth

Full Article: Ingrown Toenails

Ligament Sprain

Foot and Ankle Ligament Sprains: The most common ankle injury. Learn about common causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & prevention

Partial or full tear of one or more of the ankle ligaments. Most common ankle injury

Causes: Ligament is overstretched, typically from ankle twisting inwards when stumbling

Symptoms: Immediate pain and swelling, bruising, instability, popping noise

Full Article: Sprained Ankle

Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toe

Hammer, Mallet and Claw Toe are common deformities of the toes

Combinations of hyperflexion and hyperextension of the various toe joints

Causes: tight, narrow, high-heeled shoes, muscle tightness, nerve damage, genetics, poor blood supply

Symptoms: Abnormal toe position, pain, stiffness, skin damage e.g. calluses

Full Articles: Hammer Toe, Mallet Toe, Claw Toe

Morton's Neuroma

Morton's Neuroma causes pain, tingling and numbness in the foot

A benign growth or thickening which places pressure on a nerve

Causes: Pressure through ball of foot, tight fitting shoes, running, climbing

Symptoms: Sharp, stabbing pain in ball of foot, tingling and numbness in foot, feels like walking on a stone

Full Article: Morton's Neuroma

Os Trigonum Syndrome

Os Trigonum Foot Pain - Causes, symptoms & treatment options. Commonly affects ballet dancers & sportsmen

An extra piece of bone that gets stuck in the ankle when walking or pointing the foot

Causes: Bone fails to fuse in childhood and becomes symptomatic due to repetitive toe pointing movements or ankle injuries

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, tenderness and hard lump by achilles tendon

Full Article: Os Trigonum Syndrome

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment information

Inflammation and damage to the thick band underneath the foot, the plantar fascia

Causes: Muscle tightness, flat feet, overuse, sudden increase in activity, poor foot wear

Symptoms: Pain on bottom of foot and around heel, worse when on tiptoes or when you start walking

Full Article: Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fibromatosis

Plantar Fibromatosis, aka Ledderhose Disease, causes foot pain in the sole. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Small, benign growth in the plantar fascia, underneath the arch of the foot

Causes: Genetics, diabetes, liver disease, alcoholism, epilepsy

Symptoms: Small nodule on the sole of the foot, painful when touched, toe stiffness

Full Article: Plantar Fibromatosis

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Common Causes Of Foot Pain: Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Inflammation and degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon on the inner ankle 

Causes: Ankle injury, repetitive strain, high-impact sports, unsupportive footwear

Symptoms: Pain inner ankle and under foot, unable to stand on tiptoes, foot arch collapses

Full Article: Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis

Heel Bursitis: Causes foot pain and swelling. Find out how to treat it fast.

Inflammation of the small fluid-filled sac at the back of the heel by achilles tendon

Causes: Over-training, footwear, bone spurs, muscle tightness, injury

Symptoms: Heel pain and tenderness, swelling, ankle stiffness

Full Article: Retrocalcaneal Bursitis

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis: Find out how it causes foot pain

Inflammation of the small bones that sit underneath the big toe

Causes: Over-use, foot injury, footwear, altered biomechanics, tightness

Symptoms: Pain underneath the big toe, swelling, bruising and stiffness

Full Article: Sesamoiditis

Shin Splints

Causes Of Foot Pain: Shin Splints aka medial tibial stress syndrome

Irritation & inflammation along the inner lower shin region from overuse

Causes: Sudden increase in activity, running, jumping, footwear, biomechanics

Symptoms: Aching and tenderness along lower half of shin, worse with exercise

Full Article: Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome: Ongoing pain after an ankle sprain? This may well be the problem

Inflammation in the sinus tarsi canal, a small tunnel between the heel bone and ankle bone

Causes: Ankle sprain, scar tissue, subtalar instability, flat feet

Symptoms: Deep pain, instability, stiffness, pain with ankle movements

Full Article: Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Stress Fractures

Foot Stress Fractures: Common causes of foot pain. Find out about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis & treatment options

Small hair-line breaks in the bones, typically metatarsals, heel, shin & navicular

Causes: Repetitive over-loading e.g. from jumping or running, sudden increase in activity

Symptoms: Common causes of foot pain, worse with activity, swelling

Full Article: Stress Fractures

Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal Coalition is where two of the foot bones are abnormally joined by excess bone growth

Excess bone and cartilage forms a bridge between two of the tarsal bones

Causes: Genetic abnormality, injury, arthritis, infection

Symptoms: Stiffness and pain at back of foot, flat foot arches, difficulty walking

Full Article: Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome causes foot pain, tingling and numbness underneath the foot and on the inner ankle. Learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Compression of the posterior tibial nerve where it passes through the outer ankle

Causes: Reduced space in the tarsal tunnel e.g. bone spurs or cysts, oedema

Symptoms: Shooting/burning pain, tingling & numbness on inner ankle and under foot

Full Article: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tennis Toe

Tennis Toe aka Runners Toe or Subungual Hematoma: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Damage to the toe causes bleeding underneath the nail. AKA subungual hematoma 

Causes: Toe being forced against front of shoe e.g. runner suddenly stopping or changing direction, tight footwear

Symptoms: Throbbing pain, nail appears red/black. Usually affects big toe or second toe

Full Article: Tennis Toe

Trench Foot

Now a common feature at festivals, trench foot dates back to the awful conditions in the trenches in WW1

Painful foot condition dating back to the WW1 trenches now common at festivals

Causes: Prolonged exposure to damp, cold conditions reduces blood flow to feet

Symptoms: Feet turn grey, cold, heavy, prickly & numb

Full Article: Trench Foot

Turf Toe

Turf Toe: Sprain of the MTP joint of the big toe. Find out about common causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment

Sprain of the big toe. Ligaments and joint capsule damaged when toe bends back too far

Causes: Artificial surfaces, push-off phase of sprinting, falling forwards, tackle, jumping

Symptoms: Toe pain, swelling and bruising which gets gradually worse

Full Article: Turf Toe

How Common Are They?

Foot conditions and injuries are a common problem, particularly among sports enthusiasts. Around 20% of people will suffer from one of these causes of foot pain at least once in their lives. 

Anything involving running, jumping or kicking places a great deal of strain on the feet, and landing awkwardly from a fall are typical causes of foot pain from injuries.

Some causes of foot pain are more common than others:

Very Common: Achilles Tendonitis, Bunions, Corns & Calluses, Ligament Sprain, Plantarfasciitis, Stress Fractures, Hallux Rigidus

Common: Bone Spurs, Bursitis, Eczema, Gout, Hammer Toe, Mallet Toe, Ingrown Toenail, Morton's Neuroma, Tendonitis, Shin Splints, Sesamoiditis

Rare: Accessory Navicular, Blue Toe Syndrome, Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, Claw Toe, Extensor Tendonitis,  Haglund's Deformity, Os Trigonum Syndrome, Plantar Fibromatosis, Tarsal Coalition, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Toe, Trench Foot, Turf Toe

How Do I Know What Is Wrong?

When trying to work out the likely causes of foot pain, it helps to think about:

  • Location: where the pain mainly is e.g. top, bottom or side of the foot
  • Symptoms: what specific symptoms you have e.g. swelling, stiffness or tingling

In the foot pain diagnosis section, we use these to help you work out what is going on in your foot and what the possible causes of foot pain are.

Treating The Causes Of Foot Pain

Different causes of foot pain will require treatment. The first thing to do is to get the pain under control, which may require medication. Then it's a case of addressing any underlying problems.

If the foot is swollen, you will need to get the swelling under control with things like tubigrip and ice, if there is weakness or tightness in the muscles, you will need to do exercises.

There are lots of different options when it comes to treating the causes of foot pain - have a look at the Foot Pain Treatment article to find out which ones work best.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

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Page Last Updated: 7th October, 2024
Next Review Due: 7th October, 2026