Foot pain sends more than 60 million Americans to the podiatrist each year, the Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center of the University of Pennsylvania reports. Problems with the ligaments of the foot, which connect bone to bone, often precipitate painful foot conditions from acute injuries to chronic problems that can cause a lifetime of foot pain. Few foot problems are hereditary, the American Podiatric Medical Association believes; most of the 75 percent of Americans who suffer foot pain at some point in their lives are at least partially responsible for their foot woes.
Sprains
Sprains, partial or complete ligament tears, commonly cause foot pain. Around 25,000 people sprain their ankle each day, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports, either participating in sports or simply by becoming off balance and turning their ankle. Most acute ankle sprains are caused by the foot rotating inward. Symptoms of a sprain include pain, swelling, bruising and an inability to walk on the foot. Sprains can be classified as first-degree, second-degree or third-degree, with third-degree being the most severe. Rest, ice, compression and elevation, collectively known as RICE, usually heals a mild sprain within a week, while moderate and severe sprains can take up to a few months to mend. Second- and third-degree sprains may require splinting or casting to immobilize the ligament and to give it time to heal.
Flat Feet
Flat feet can occur when the ligaments that support the arch of the foot are looser, or more lax, than normal. Obesity, previous injury, diabetes and foot stressors such as high heels also contribute to flat feet. Flat feet are common in babies and small children, but can also affect adults. Pain and tenderness in the arch can result, New Zealand orthopedic surgeon Hugh Blackley reports on his website, Orthopaedic Surgery. Flat feet may also develop painful corns and hardened skin areas on the bottom of the foot.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia, a ligament that stretches across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes, can become inflamed, swollen and painful. Injury to the plantar fascia occurs most often in people who have either flat feet or a very high arch, those who are overweight, who stand for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces and people with tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles. All these conditions can strain the ligament, which develops microscopic tears that cause pain and swelling. Plantar fasciitis pain occurs most often as soon as a person steps out of bed in the morning and stretches the damaged ligament for the first time. Pain decreases during the day as the ligament stretches but recurs after prolonged periods of sitting.
Supportive shoes, rest and keeping the foot in an extended position during the night to prevent it from tightening up overnight with the help of commercial splints all help decrease the pain from plantar fasciitis. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen reduce symptoms. Steroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation help with symptoms. Surgery rarely becomes necessary, the University of Michigan states.
