An ache in your feet when you run can be a sign of multiple conditions. These conditions range from minor to serious, so determining the cause of your discomfort is imperative to proper treatment. Foot pain can inhibit your running routine and lead to loss of athletic ability. Consult with your doctor as soon as pain begins to rule out possible underlying conditions.
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Hammer Toes
If you experience foot pain when you run, examine your toes and see if any of them bend downward. If they do, you have a hammer toe. All toes are susceptible to this condition, but it usually affects the second toe. Hammer toes are usually formed from wearing narrow shoes that are too tight. The toes become forced into a bent position and are deformed due to muscles and tendons shortening and tightening. You may be able to move and straighten your affected toe initially, but eventually, you will no longer be able to move the toe.
Stress Fracture
If the top of your foot experiences pain when you run, you may have developed a stress fracture. The top of your foot is made up of five metatarsal bones. Stress fractures of the foot usually result from a break or rupture in one or more of the metatarsal bones. Strenuous exercise can lead to a stress fracture from overuse of the foot. It is uncommon to fracture the first metatarsal bone because it is the densest bone. If you do break this metatarsal, it is a serious injury because it causes dramatic changes in walking and weight bearing.
Flat Feet
Foot pain can result from a condition called flat feet, which describes feet that are lacking an arch. People with flat feet have their entire foot touch the floor when they stand. The foot arches may not develop during childhood, or flat feet can develop during adulthood in response to an injury or deterioration with age. Flat feet can make your ankles turn inward and throw off leg alignment.
Bunions
A bunion can make running and other activities painful. A bunion makes your big toe point toward the second toe, which causes a bump on the inside of your toe. Women experience bunions more often than men and some people are genetically predisposed to this condition. Wearing high-heeled shoes that are narrow can lead to the development of bunions. Extra bone and fluid-filled sacs can grow at the base of the big toe and cause pain. Running causes repeated impact on your foot and may cause pain in the heel or arch area of the flatfoot, as well as swelling on the inside of the ankle.
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