The lateral portion of your foot refers to the area on the outside of the foot---near the small toe. In runners, this portion of the foot can begin to hurt due to overuse. Frequent pounding of the foot when running can cause this area---known as the cuboid joint---to become painful.
Identification
Lateral foot pain when running typically occurs when you push off from the starting position, according to Drs. Mark Caselli and Nikiforos Pantelaras, podiatrists writing on Podiatry Today. You also will experience pain on the side of the foot and may begin to feel as if the foot is losing stability. You may find yourself compensating by attempting to strike with the inner ball of the foot.
Physician Evaluation
If you continue to experience outside foot pain, see your physician or podiatrist in order to evaluate the foot. Your physician will ask you to describe your pain---focus on when you experience the pain or when you first experienced the pain. In some instances, landing on the side of the foot when running can contribute to pain. If you have recently experienced an ankle sprain, pain on the lateral side can follow this injury, according to Sports Injury Clinic. The time frame in which you experience pain is important because in some instances, your foot can hurt on the lateral portion, yet actually be injured on the middle portion, according to Dr. Babak Baravarian, a podiatrist on Podiatry Today.
Running Pattern
Evaluating the way you run may help to determine the reason why you are experiencing lateral foot pain, according to Rice University. Lateral pain is often experienced by runners known as "under pronators," meaning you strike the ground with the outside of the foot and then roll toward the inside. Because your foot is unable to absorb shock in this position, you experience pain. The solution for this is to utilize an athletic shoe that is designed for "motion control," according to Rice University.
Treatment
Lateral foot pain can be due to an injury of the cuboid bone, which is located where the toes meet the main portion of the foot, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. In order to treat this injury, a podiatrist may manipulate the bone into proper position and recommend a brace that maintains the proper position of the foot. Sometimes your foot pain can be due to tendonitis. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend rest, icing the foot or taking an anti-inflammatory medication. You also may need new shoes as your current running shoes may not support your cuboid bone enough.
Warning
Continuing to run on an injured lateral foot can result in injuries to the tendons or gastrocnemius muscles, which can lead to inflammation that can keep you from running, according to Dr. Baravarian. In severe instances, surgery may be recommended. If your foot pain is due to misalignment of the cuboid bone, a lack of treatment can result in a lifelong condition, according to Drs. Caselli and Pantelaras.
