Foot pain can involve any part of the foot from the toes to back of the heel. While some foot pain is minor and can be treated at home, foot pain that affects a person’s ability to work, participate in physical activities or move around may indicate a serious condition that requires medical attention. MayoClinic.com states that foot pain that is not treated can result in long-term damage or disability.
Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
Lumbar degenerative disc disease can cause a throbbing pain in the foot, according to the website Spine-Health. Lumbar degenerative disc disease occurs as a result of dehydration, deterioration and loss of flexibility in the discs in the back that causes pain to radiate down the leg. People with this disease often feel the brunt of their pain in their lower back, but it can also be felt in the legs and feet. When the pain from this disease occurs in the leg or foot it is often called “referred pain.” Referred pain occurs when the brain cannot determine the exact location of the pain. People who experience referred pain have a hard time pinpointing where the pain is and may complain of a vague pain that occurs in various parts of their body. A person with this disease may experience a dull, achy and generalized pain in her feet.
Lumbar Herniated Disc
A common cause of foot pain is a ruptured or herniated disc. The amount of water in the discs located in the center of the back typically deceases as people age causing the cushion surrounding the discs to dry out and pushing the center disc through a crack in the outer layer of the disc, according to the North American Spine Society Publication Series. Herniated discs are often found in the bottom two discs of the lumbar spine directly below the waist. They generally occur when pressure accumulates on the disc right under the nerve root causing radiating pain that travels down the sciatic nerve to the leg and into the foot, according to the website Spine-Health. The symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc typically vary depending on the location of the herniated disc. Leg and foot pain associated with a lumbar herniated disc can usually be treated through non-surgical treatment, but in severe cases a portion of the disc may need to be surgically removed in order to lessen the pressure on the nerve and decrease numbness and pain in the leg and foot.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause foot pain as result of deteriorating foot joints. This disease that occurs when the cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints, according to the website Foot Health Facts. This type of arthritis can cause the lining that surrounds the joints in the hands and feet to inflame. People with rheumatoid arthritis may experience pain, swelling, redness, and a sensation of warmth in their feet. In severe cases, chronic inflammation may damage the cartilage and bones connected to the joint causing severe damage and resulting in permanent joint destruction and malformation.
References
- Spine-Health: Causes of Leg Pain and Foot Pain
- North American Spine Society Publication Series: What is a Herniated Disc?
- Medical News Today: Wearing High Heels, Pumps and Sandals Linked To Women's Foot Pain in Later Life
- Foot and Ankle Center of Washington: Weight Loss and Your Feet
- MayoClinic.com: Foot Pain
