Common risk factors for foot pain and problems include ill-fitting shoes, aging and being overweight, although certain medical conditions can also cause foot pain. The type of foot pain a person experiences largely depends on the cause of the problem. In some cases, foot pain can be sharp and debilitating.
Metatarsal Fractures
Metatarsal fractures or fractures in the long bones of the forefoot can cause sharp foot pain. Metatarsal fractures can be caused by either repetitive stress or traumatic injury. Metatarsal fractures can lead to complications, such as osteoarthritis, which can impair a person's ability to walk, bend or stand. Metatarsal stress fractures usually occur in the second, third or fourth metatarsal bones, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. Common signs and symptoms associated with metatarsal fractures include the following: sharp pain in the affected area, rapid swelling following injury, an inability to bear weight on the affected side, foot deformity and bruising that develops within 24 hours of the fracture. Metatarsal fractures may be treated with rest, activity modification and temporary immobilization or casting. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to repair displaced bones.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can cause sharp foot pain. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that improper nail grooming techniques and ill-fitting shoes are among the most common causes of ingrown toenails or toenails that dig into the surrounding skin. Other causes of ingrown toenails include trauma, such as stubbing a toe, and congenital factors, such as a nail that's too large for the toe. Common signs and symptoms associated with an ingrown toenail include hard, swollen and tender tissue around the affected area, redness, swelling, pain and infection in the affected area and a small amount of pus draining from the site of the ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail should be treated as soon as it is recognized. An ingrown toenail can be treated using either non-surgical or surgical methods, depending on how advanced the condition is at the time of treatment.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome can cause sharp foot pain. CRPS is a chronic condition characterized by intense pain. CRPS-related pain is always disproportional to the severity of the injury that caused it. It usually manifests in the arms, legs, hands or feet on one side of the body, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Common signs and symptoms associated with CRPS include changes in skin color and temperature over an affected area, severe pain, skin sensitivity, sweating and swelling. According to the NINDS, experts are not sure what causes CRPS, although the sympathetic nervous system or immune system may play a role. As there is no cure for CRPS, treatment attempts to manage pain and other symptoms.
References
- MedlinePlus: Foot Injuries and Disorders
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Toe and Metatarsal Fractures
- Sports Injury Clinic: Metatarsal Fractures
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Ingrown Toenail
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
