Pain can manifest in any part of the foot, including the heel, toes, arches, sole and ankles, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Each foot has three distinct arches: the medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch and transverse arch. A person with foot arch pain may be unable to perform usual activities of daily living or participate in vigorous physical activities, such as running.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds can cause pain in the arches of the feet. According to MayoClinic.com, one of the most common puncture wounds involves stepping on a nail. Puncture wounds of the foot can occur in one of the three foot arches, causing significant pain and discomfort in the affected area. Although puncture wounds can be extremely painful and impair a person's ability to walk without assistance, the risk of infection is perhaps the greatest concern associated with these wounds. If the nail or other object causing the puncture wound carries tetanus spores or other bacteria, serious health complications can arise. MayoClinic.com notes that foot puncture wounds are among the most vulnerable to infection, due to the relative lack of circulation in this part of the body. A person who experiences a puncture wound of the foot should see a doctor to determine the appropriate course of action.
Plantar Fascia Pain
Plantar fascia problems can cause pain in the arches of the feet. The plantar fascia is thick band of connective tissue on the underside of the foot that supports the foot's arches. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states that plantar fascia problems are usually causes by plantar fasciosis -- pain at the attachment site of the plantar fascia with the heel bone or calcaneus. In many cases, pain on the underside of the heel is accompanied by pain along the medial longitudinal arch or the arch the runs along the inside aspect of the foot. Common signs and symptoms associated with plantar fasciosis include pain in the affected areas during weight bearing activity such as walking, pain that's worse upon waking in the morning and pain that's worse during the propulsive or pushing-off phase of gait. According to the Merck Manuals, most cases of plantar fascia pain respond well to conservative treatment methods, such as stretching, activity modification and manual therapies.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause pain in the arches of the feet. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow passageway located just below the bony bump or medial malleolus on the inside aspect of the ankle. Numerous structures pass through the tarsal tunnel on their way to the foot, including an artery, a vein, a couple of tendons and the posterior tibial nerve. When the posterior tibial nerve becomes entrapped or compressed within the tarsal tunnel, the person experiences symptoms. Common signs and symptoms associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome include burning pain that radiates into the medial longitudinal arch, numbness and tingling on the sole of the foot, foot pain in the affected area during bouts of running or prolonged standing, pain that's worse at night and tenderness beneath the medial malleolus.
