If you are not sure what is causing your foot pain or heel pain then try our foot pain symptom checker.
The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and bruised heel. Plantar fasciitis is very common and involves inflammation of the plantar fascia or arch of the foot. If you have pain on the top of the foot then extensor tendinitis or metatarsal fracture are both common. Ball of foot pain can be Sesmoiditis (pain at the base of the big toe) or Metatarsalgia which is a general term for pain around the joints in the forefoot.
Use the tabs below to view the most common heel pain causes as well as common foot pain causes depending on location. Use the menu on the left to view all foot injuries on site. Or test your knowledge with our heel pain quiz!
Plantar Fasciitis
Probably the most common heel pain causes. The plantar fascia or band of tissue under the foot becomes inflammed causing heel pain which may radiate into the foot.
Pain is worse first thing in the morning but eases off only to gradually get worse later on.
Heel Spur
Heel pain similar to plantar fasciitis. A heel spur is a growth underneath and inside the heel where the plantar fascia attaches.
Symptoms are similar to plantar fasciitis but a heel spur can be present without pain and vice versa.
Bruised Heel
Pain under the heel bone often caused by overuse. A bruising of the fat pad under heel occurs.
This is common with soldiers marching or uveruse through running and jumping. Another name for this condition if Policeman's Heel.
Achilles Bursitis
Pain and inflammation of the bursa which sits between the achilles tendon and the heel bone.
Symptoms include pain at the back of the heel where the achilles tendon attaches to the bone.
Sever's Disease
A common heel pain cause affecting young athletes. Pain is felt at the attachment of the achilles tendon to he heel bone.
It is due to the nd the bone crumbling. The young athlete should grow out of it as long as the injury is treated properly.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Pain, inflammation and thickening of the achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.
This is a common overuse injury which may become chronic causing degeneration of the tendon (tendinosis).
Broken Toe
A fracture of any of the phalange bones of the toes. Symptoms are usually obvious pain from an impact or trauma.
If the injury is a stress fracture then the toe pain will be more gradual onset through over use.
Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenails are common problems causing pain, redness and sometimes infection.
An avoidable cause of toe pain they may be caused by not cutting the nail correctly or poor choice of footwear.
Black Toenail
A black toenail or subungual Hematoma is a common problem resulting from direct trauma or impact to the toe.
It can also be caused by repetitive trauma from a shoe rubbing on the toe in the case of long distance running or walking.
Metatarsal Fracture
A break in one of the 5 metatarsals or long bones between the ankle and toes, often caused by impact to the foot from another shoe or boot.
The athlete will experience midfoot pain at the point of injury and be unable to put weight on the injury.
Extensor Tendonitis
An overuse foot injury with pain on the top of the foot, made worse by lifting the foot and toes upwards.
This foot pain cause may be due to over tightening shoes laces.
Navicular Stress Fracture
A poorly localized midfoot pain or ache associated with exercise.
A stress fracture will come on gradually due to over use and may not be visible on X ray until after the injury has started to heal.
Morton's Neuroma
Foot pain in the forefoot, specifically between the third and forth toes where the nerve passes.
Pain is made worse by squeezing the forefoot and compressing the nerve.
Metatarsalgia
Inflammation of the MTP joints in the forefoot causing toe pain when walking.
Metatarsalgia is also an umberella term used to describe pain in the forefoot which may have a number of causes.
Hallux Rigidus
Pain and stiffness in the 1st MTP joint at the base of the big toe.
Symptoms include toe pain at the base of the big toe or great toe with swelling and inflammation.
Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is a common skin condition causing itchy, flaky skin and a burning sensation usually between the toes.
It is caused or made worse from shoes which do not allow the foot to breath trapping heat and moisture near the foot.
Blisters
A fluid filled bubble, often found on the toes, caused by repetitive friction.
The best cure for blisters is prevention so identifying potential hot spots early and protecting with tape or blister plasters is important.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses occur when there is an excess or thickening of hard skin.
Poor foot biomechanics causes pressure which in turn results in excess hard skin being produced.
Foot Pain
Foot pain and injuries can be divided by what area of the foot the pain is felt. Pain in the heel is very common and may be due to plantar fasciitis or a heel spur or bruised heel. Pain in the midfoot is the area between the heel and the ball of the foot. Pain here may be from a plantar fascia strain, tarsal fracture, joint sprain or tendonitis. The forefoot is the area between the ball of the foot and the toes. Pain here may be from conditions such as a morton's neuroma or metatarsalgia. Pain in the toes may be from injuries such as a fracture,bunion, gout or turf toe.
This page includes links to all of our foot injury information, including individual injury and rehabilitation pages, anatomy, exercises, taping and interviews with podiatrist Ian Sadler.
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Q: An acute injury is one which:
- A: Comes on gradually
- B: Is rarely painful
- C: Looks nice
- D: Has occured recently and is painful
