Chronic Foot Pain

The foot is the foundation for most of the movements of the body. When persistent foot pain is present, it is an indication that something is not right. The body may react by changing the way it moves and walks, often resulting in chronic foot pain.

Identification

• The foot is made up of 24 bones and 2 arches. The bones are held together by ligaments, a fibrous tissue. The muscles that run along the foot provide support to the foot. Fat pads help absorb the shock during impact and provide weight-bearing support.

Types

• Trauma is the most common cause of foot pain. Sprains, strains, fractures and bruises happen suddenly and are quite painful. A strain may occur when the fibers and ligaments that hold the bones together are stretched and tear. The Achilles tendon is a common cause of chronic foot pain. Injury to this area can cause chronic tendonitis.

Types

• Many causes of chronic foot pain can be attributed to overuse injuries. This includes running on uneven surfaces, running on surfaces that are too hard and running on surfaces that are too soft. These things may lead to chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures or tendonitis.

Types

• Some causes of chronic foot pain are due to congenital malformations. This includes high arches and flat feet, which often lead to chronic pain due to the biomechanical structure of the foot.

Prevention/Solution

• Proper footwear is one way to avoid chronic foot pain. Shoes that do not fit properly can aggravate an existing condition or cause bunions, corns or misalignments of the toes. Ingrown toenails are another cause of chronic foot pain. This occurs when the edges of the nail grow through the skin. This is very painful and may require medical attention because ingrown toenails often become infected.