Being obese means you weigh much more than is healthy, with a body mass index of 30 or more. The more weight you carry, the more impact you are putting on your feet with each step you take, which can result in foot pain. Ironically, if you suffer from foot pain, you are less likely to be active, which can lead to obesity. Obesity can lead to other complications that bring on foot and toe pain, as well.
Impact
Impact, or the amount of force absorbed by bones and joints, increases with your weight. If you are obese, your steps take on a higher impact. Being overweight by as little as 10 lbs. can cause foot pain, according to Foot and Ankle Center of Washington. Visit a podiatrist if you are obese and experiencing foot pain so the doctor can evaluate your gate and suggest treatments, possibly including special shoes or inserts.
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a complication of obesity, another reason you might experience foot and toe pain. Diabetes can affect your nerve processes, resulting in peripheral neuropathy where your pain is not proportional to the force of what is causing it. For instance, a bed sheet draped across your feet can cause severe pain with this kind of neuropathy. Check your blood sugar regularly since a trend of high blood sugar can contribute to this pain. Circulation problems, muscle and joint issues and frequent infections all are side effects of diabetes that can bring about foot pain, as well. If you are diabetic, visually inspect your feet daily.
Arthritis
The painful joint disorder osteoarthritis is a common complication resulting from obesity, according to National Center for Biotechnology Information, a division of the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. When the cartilage that normally buffers your bones wears away, your bones rub together, causing stiffness, swelling and pain. Other symptoms include a limited range of movement, tenderness of joints when touched and a grating sound when joints are moved. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but symptoms can be controlled. In addition to using acetaminophen for pain, apply heat or ice, lose weight and get adequate rest. Speak with your doctor about additional options such as physical therapy or surgery.
Plantar Fasciitis
When the tendon-like band of tissue that runs from your heal along the bottom of your foot to your toes becomes worn from excess weight, it may tear, swell or bruise, causing a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis. This condition appears to be of much higher risk to the overweight and obese population. Heelspurs.com surveyed visitors to its plantar fasciitis website and found 40 percent were obese. If you exercise a lot, cut back until pain lessens. If your feet have high arches or you are flat-footed, your doctor can prescribe inserts that can help alleviate pain. If your job requires you to stand for long periods, place padding under the area you stand on. Calf stretches might provide some relief, as will losing weight.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Obesity
- "Journal of Foot and Ankle Research"; Prevalence and Correlates of Foot Pain in a Population-Based Study; Catherine L Hill, et al.; 2008
- American Podiatric Medical Association: Foot Pain Making 72 Percent of Americans Fat
- Foot and Ankle Center of Washington: Obesity Can Cause Foot and Ankle Pain
- National Federation of the Blind; Diabetic Foot Pain; Kenneth B. Rehm, DPM
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Osteoarthritis
