According to the Health Central website, severe pain, swelling, bruising or an inability to bear weight are symptoms that could indicate a serious foot problem. Damage to the foot's muscle, tendons, ligaments and bones, along with foot deformations, can result from trauma, overuse or improper footwear. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that although certain medical conditions can contribute to foot pain, poorly fitting or tight shoes are a frequent cause of foot problems.
Numbness
Numbness in the feet--which often is the result of nerve interference or damage--can be caused by numerous health problems, including diabetes, Buerger's disease and vitamin B12 deficiency, among other causes. According to the Medical Board of California's Board of Podiatric Medicine, diabetes is a common cause of foot numbness, and nerve damage is one of the principal consequences of diabetes. Alcohol consumption can increase the rate of nerve damage in diabetics, deadening the nerves and increasing the possibility of cuts or injury. According to the University of California-Davis Vascular Center, Buerger's disease--which occurs most frequently in smokers--is characterized by acute inflammation and clotting of the arteries in the hands and feet, and foot numbness is a common symptom of the disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency involves a decrease in vitamin B12 due to inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption. The University of Chicago's Center for Peripheral Neuropathy says there's a clear link between vitamin B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy, including numbness and tingling in the feet.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common foot problem symptoms. It's often the result of inappropriate footwear, although traumatic injuries--especially during sports activities--also can cause foot and ankle pain. A person can experience foot pain in one or more areas of the foot, including the heel, arch, forefoot or toes. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, foot pain can result from the following problems: stress fractures, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, achilles tendinitis, neuromas, bone bruises and plantar fasciitis. Foot pain can also result from bunions, blisters, bursitis, ingrown toenails, foot muscle cramps and lacerations, among other causes. Depending on the cause of foot pain and an individual's susceptibility, foot pain can appear quickly or develop over time, and the severity of the pain can range from mild to marked. Foot pain is particularly problematic for those who work standing up, as it can significantly reduce a person's ability to ambulate and perform their work tasks, along with their activities of daily living.
Decreased Range of Motion
Decreased foot range of motion is symptomatic of disuse or traumatic foot injuries, such as fractures or ligament sprains. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries, experienced by about 25,000 people each day. The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion sprain, which occurs when an unguarded foot and ankle rapidly and forcefully rolls inward. The resulting pain, swelling and inflammation in the foot and ankle significantly reduce the foot and ankle's range of motion and can take a significant amount of time to heal, depending on the severity of the sprain. Decreased foot range of motion may also result from long-term foot and ankle immobilization, which may occur following surgery or casting. For decreased foot and ankle range of motion, health care professionals typically employ rehabilitative techniques that target foot and ankle flexibility while stabilizing the injured joint.
