What Are the Causes of Chronic Foot Pain?
The feet are one of the most common places on the body to experience chronic pain. They are constantly subjected to high levels of stress, whether it's from running, walking or even standing. There are several likely causes of chronic foot pain; many types of foot pain originate from repetitive stress to the feet.
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Achilles Tendinitis
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Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects to the back of the heel and extends to the back of the foot and lower leg. Achilles tendinitis is characterized by chronic pain and soreness around the heel and along the back of the foot. Achilles tendinitis can be caused by overstretching of the Achilles tendon, repetitive strain caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes or high-impact activity. Stretching the Achilles tendon and strengthening the muscle of the calf and feet can help prevent tendinitis pain.
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Arch and Heel Pain
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The arch and heel can become a source of chronic pain, especially if the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that extends from the heel through the arch, becomes irritated. This condition, known as plantar fasciitis, can occur when the heel strikes the ground with too much force on a regular basis. Using shoes with more heel cushioning might reduce the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis. Striking the feet on the middle of the foot or forefoot rather than the heel might also reduce the chances of experiencing heel pain.
Big Toe Pain
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Chronic pain around the joint of the big toe is a fairly common ailment among physically active people such as athletes, runners and dancers. One possible cause of pain around the big toe is sesamoiditis, which is an inflammation of the tissues around the big toe joint that causes a gradual onset pain similar to Achilles tendinitis. Another possible cause of toe pain is bunions, which are bone deformities that usually occur around the big toe. Spraining the big toe joint, sometimes called turf toe, can lead to recurring pain if activity is resumed before the injury has time to heal.
Arthritis
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Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the body's cartilage breaks down, resulting in painful movement of the joints. Osteoarthritis is common in the hands and feet, especially among the elderly. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but pain can often be reduced by performing stretching and strengthening exercises as well as avoiding activities that will strain the feet. Rheumatoid arthritis is another possible cause of pain. This is characterized by inflammation of the joints.
Shoes
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The footwear a person uses can play a large role in the development of foot problems and chronic pain. Wearing shoes that do not support the feet properly or force the body into a stride that is not ergonomically sound can put too much pressure on different parts of the feet and lead to things such as tendinitis, sesamoiditis and plantar fasciitis. Getting help from a podiatrist or a sports shoe specialist to find proper shoes might help some people overcome pain.
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References
Resources
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