Foot Pain and Heel Pain

Use to tabs below to view the most common causes of foot pain and heel pain or scroll further down the page to view all 50 foot and heel injuries on site.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Foot Anatomy

 

Foot anatomy explained including bones, ligaments and muscles.

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Sports Massage for the Foot

 

Foot massage techniques demonstrated.

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Use the tabs below to view all foot and heel pain injuries:

 

Heel pain is usually located under the heel or at the back of the heel.

Plantar fasciitis
Pain in the heel which may radiate into the arch of the foot.

Heel spur
A bony growth under the heel.

Bruised heel (Fat pad contusion)
Pain from bruising under the heel.

Broken heel bone
A fracture to the calcaneus, or heel bone, resulting from a sudden impact.

Calcaneal stress fracture
Stress fracture of the heel bone or calcaneus.

Achilles bursitis (Retrocalcaneal bursitis)
Pain at the back of the heel caused by in inflamed bursa.

Bursitis under the calcaneus bone
Pain under the heel caused by an inflamed bursa.

Bruised foot
Bruising with develops after an impact to any part of the foot.


Foot drop

Inability to raise the foot upwards - a symptom of another injury or condition.

 

Navicular Stress Fracture
A poorly localized midfoot ache associated with exercise

Extensor tendinopathy / inflammation
Pain with possible swelling on the top of the foot.

Inflammation of flexor tendons of the toes
Midfoot pain - less common than Extensor tendinitis but can be more painful and disabling


Plantar fascia strain
A strain (tear) in the fascia underneath the foot. Inflammation of flexor tendons of the toes

Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Pain on the inside of the anke which radiate into the arch of the foot, often with tingling or numbness into the foot or toes.

Medial calcaneal nerve entrapment
Often confused with tarsal tunnel syndrome as the symptoms are very similar.


Stress fractures

Stress fracture in the bones of the foot.

Metatarsal fracture
A break in one of the 5 metatarsals - the long bones which pass from the ankle to the toes.

Jones fracture
Fracture at the base of the 5th metatarsal on the outside of the mid-foot.

Tarsal fracture
Fracture to any one of the 7 tarsal bones in the rear or mid foot.

Stress fracture of the talus
Stress fracture in the talus bone causing gradual onset pain on the outside of the ankle.

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome
Poorly localised pain just in front of the lateral malleolus (bony bit on the outside of the ankle).

Tarsal coalition
Fusing of the foot bones in adolescents.

Midtarsal Joint Sprain
Injury to the midtarsal joint is rare but is more likely seen in gymnasts, footballers and sports involving jumping.

Flat feet
Flat feet (or Pes Planus) may cause pain in the foot or contribute to injuries elsewhere.

Pes cavus (claw foot)
A genetic defect in the foot with a high arch.

Cuboid Syndrome
Dislocation of the cuboid causing pain when weight bearing on the outside of the foot.

Abductor halucis strain
Pain along the inside arch of the foot.

Lisfranc's injury (fracture / dislocation)
A serious injury of the tarsometatarsal joints in the foot which should always be considered if midfoot sprain is suspected.

Inflammation or rupture of peroneus brevis tendon
Pain at a specific point on the outside of the foot.

Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment
Pain under the inside of the heel which radiates up into the inside of the anke.

 

Peroneus Brevis Tendon Rupture
A full tear of the tendon of Peroneaus Brevis on the outside of the foot.

 

Mortons Neuroma
Pain in the forefoot, specifically on one side of a toe and the adjacent side of the next toe.

 

Metatarsalgia
Inflammation of the MTP joints in the forefoot causing toe pain when walking.

 

Hallux Rigidus
Pain and stiffness in the 1st MTP joint at the base of the big toe

 

Causes of pain in the ball of the foot
Pain in this area may have a variety of causes.

 

Bunions
A bunion is a painful swelling of the soft tissue, and bone enlargement over the inside of the ball of the big toe.

 

Corns and Calluses
Hard skin due to excess pressure and poor foot biomechanics.

 

Sesamoiditis
Pain and inflammation of the sesamoid bones under the 1st MTP joint (the base of the big toe)

 

 

 

Broken Toe
A fracture of any one of the phalange bones of the toes.

 

Turf Toe
A sprain at the base of the big toe.

 

Hallux Rigidus
Pain and stiffness in the 1st MTP joint at the base of the big toe

 

Sesamoiditis
Pain and inflammation of the sesamoid bones under the 1st MTP joint (the base of the big toe).

 

Hammer Toe
Bending upwards of one of the small toes.

 

Black Toenail
Bleeding under the toe nail, caused by a direct impact or repetitive friction.

 

Ingrown Toenail
Abnormal growth of a toe nail which causes soft tissue damage at the side of the nail.

 

Dislocated Toe
Displacement of one of the joints of any of the toes, caused by a direct force or blow to the joint.

 

Gout
Redness, swelling and pain in the joint of the big toe.

 

 

Blisters
Prevention and treatment of this common complaint.

 

Athletes Foot
A skin infection caused by a fungus.

 

Corns and Calluses
Thickened or excess skin on the soles of the feet.

 

Verrucas
Warts on the sole of the foot.

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