Whether you run for fitness purposes or simply to relieve daily stress, foot pain can be a significant deterrent to your daily routine. While muscle cramps, stiff toes and sore arches might be common pains associated with running, sharp pains that occur suddenly and unexpectedly typically indicate a more serious injury. Sharp, sudden pain that spans across the bottom of your foot while running could be caused by injuries to the tendons, ligaments, bones or nerves.
Stress Fractures
A human foot is made up of 26 bones that extend from the ankles and heels to the toes. Five metatarsal bones extend from the hindfoot to the base of the big toes; these bones are essentially responsible for forming the structure of the bottom of the foot. As with all other bones in the body, these metatarsal bones are at risk for fractures. When a metatarsal bone fractures, tiny cracks appear in the surface of the bone. In some cases, the fracture extends all the way through the bone, separating it into two distinct pieces. Although stress fractures are not necessarily common running injuries, they can occur if you twist your ankle, run on uneven surfaces or suddenly increase your running speed or distance.
Sprains & Strains
Along with the many bones running across the bottom of the foot, several muscles, tendons and ligaments span across the space to support and stabilize the bones. A sprain occurs when ligaments stretch excessively or tear. A strain, on the other hand, occurs when a muscle or tendon stretches excessively or tears. When a sprain or strain occurs in the bottom of your foot, you will likely experience sharp pain that occurs as soon as the injury occurs. Additional symptoms might include swelling and bruising. A sprain might occur as a result of running on an uneven or unstable surface. Strains, on the other hand, are a relatively common running injury caused by the repetitive movement of the muscles in the feet while running.
Morton's Neuroma
If the pain occurs near the ball of your foot, Morton's neuroma could be the cause. When the condition develops, soft tissues surrounding the nerves in your foot become thick and swollen. As these tissues swell, they put pressure on the nerves and cause a sharp, burning sensation. Typically, the pain from Morton's neuroma occurs on the bottom of your foot between the third and fourth toes. Along with pain, it might also feel as though you are standing on a small pebble. Although the exact cause of Morton's neuroma remains unknown, MayoClinic.com explains that it is likely a result of irritation or pressure on the nerves in the feet. Since frequent running places repetitive stress and pressure on the bottom of the foot, these nerves can be easily irritated.
Considerations
Although sharp pain along the bottom of the foot while running is typically caused by a relatively minor injury, it is important to seek advice from a medical professional to ensure proper treatment. Serious injuries, such as broken bones or extensively damaged ligaments, may require surgical treatment. Most minor foot injuries, however, are simply treated with rest and ice therapy. Avoid running until the pain dissipates and apply an ice pack to the bottom of your foot for 20-minute intervals every three to four hours. As you rest, keep the injured foot wrapped in an elastic bandage and elevated above the level of the heart to prevent swelling.
