According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, foot pain is common with about 75 percent of people in the United States having foot pain at some time in their lives. Foot pain can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, over training, diseases and genetics. Location of the pain is a big indicator as to the cause.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony growth at the base of the big toe, which causes the toe to crowd inward and impinge upon the other toes of the foot. According to the Mayo Clinic, bunions can occur for a number of reasons, such as wearing shoes that fit too tightly, an inherited structural defect, stress on the foot or arthritis. The pain from a bunion can be mild to extremely debilitating. Bunions often respond favorably to shoes with more room in the toes, padding and anti-inflammatory medications. If conservative measures stop providing relief, surgery can be performed to remove the bunion and straighten the toe.
Sesamoiditis
Beneath the the big toe, there are two floating bones known as sesamoids. The sesamoids improve the function of the foot by providing a smooth surface for the tendons of the big toe to cross over. When these tendons become inflamed, it is called sesamoiditis. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, sesamoiditis is common among dancers, runners and baseball catchers. Sesamoiditis generally responds well to conservative anti-inflammatory treatments, such as ice, shoe inserts and activity modification. If these methods fail to provide relief, the physician may try an anti-inflammatory injection. Occasionally, surgery to remove the sesamoid is performed.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma, or plantar neuroma, is a bundle of nerves that forms a small ball, usually between the second and third toes. Symptoms occur when the bones of the feet are pinched together and press upon the nerve bundle, resulting in burning pain, numbness and tingling in the ball of the foot and toes. Morton's neuroma generally responds well to a change in footwear, refraining from activity, orthotic shoe inserts and cortisone injections. According to the Mayo Clinic, surgery can be performed to remove the nerve bundle, but it can leave the toes permanently numb.
Stress Fracture
A stress fracture can occur in any of the weight-bearing bones of the foot, when they are placed under repetitive stress. Often, track and running athletes will suffer from stress fractures in the ball of the foot. Stress fractures will often go undiagnosed until healing of the bones is actually viewable on X-ray. The only cure for stress fractures is to eliminate the offending activity and rest the foot. The physician will usually place the foot in a walking boot or cast to ensure removal of all stress to the bones.
