The foot can become injured in response to forces applied to the bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves and tissues during natural movements such as walking, running and jumping. The feet are structured to withstand major forces; however, injuries can occur and cause pain, particularly on the bottom of the foot.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain at the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches from the heel of the foot toward the ball of the foot. With this condition you will typically experience pain at the heel of the foot, or at the arch of the foot. The condition is caused by overstretching the plantar fascia, which occurs during walking, when the foot bears the weight of the body. Typically the foot is properly aligned to minimize the stretch of the tissue; however, if the foot tends to roll outward, in a pronated fashion, the plantar fascia becomes overstretched leading to tearing, inflammation and pain, according to Cedars-Sinai.
Flat Feet
Flat feet, or pes planus, occurs when the arch of the foot fails to develop during childhood or it collapses during the aging process. If pain develops, it is typically located on the bottom of the foot in the location of the fallen arch. A complication of flat feet in children is tarsal coalition, a condition where the bones of the arch fuse together causing pain while walking, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a condition that results in pain at the bottom of the foot. The condition is caused by an excess of fibrous tissue that builds-up around the nerves of the foot in response to the bones and ligaments rubbing against the nerves; this causes inflammation of the nerves that supply the toes. The condition can occur in response to wearing ill fitting shoes; repetitive strain injuries to the foot caused by impactful sports such as running; and, direct trauma to the foot causing a sprain or fracture, detailed by NYU Langone Medical Center.
Stress Fracture
Bones can fracture in response to a forceful impact or in response to repetitive low force impacts applied over a lengthy period of time; the latter is indicative of stress fractures. Any of the foot bones can develop a stress fracture; however, they are typically observed in the metatarsals, or the bones that connect the mid-foot to the toes; the calcaneus or heel bone; and, navicular or ankle bone. Stress fractures cause pain; metatarsal stress fractures typically cause pain at the bottom of the foot, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery.
