What Are the Causes of Swelling & Pain in the Foot?
The foot is a complicated structure that contains 26 bones. Several joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments connect these bones, which means there are many potential causes for pain and swelling.
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Common Culprits
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Ill-fitting shoes is the reason behind many foot conditions. Other causes include overuse, aging, having an injury and being overweight.
Structural
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Fallen arches--or flat feet--can cause pain and swelling. Bunions and hammer toes are other structural problems. The former is caused by wearing narrow-toed shoes. Hammer toes look like toes that have turned into "claws." Corns and calluses also may cause pain.
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Swelling
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Anytime your foot is swollen, you can rest assured that you have some type of inflammation in your foot--probably some form of arthritis. Inflammation leads to liquid retention, which, in turn, results in your foot looking swollen. It is also possible that a bone in your foot is broken or that you have torn a tendon.
Diseases
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Diseases such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis often cause both pain and swelling. You may also have Morton's neuroma, which is a "noncancerous (benign) growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body," according to the Mayo Clinic. Morton's occurs in your foot. The condition often leads to swelling, tenderness and pain in the third and fourth toes, according to the University of Virgina.
Significance
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You must treat your foot pain and swelling, especially if it disables you. "If not treated, some types of foot pain can lead to long-term damage or disability," according to the Mayo Clinic.
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