Most Common Foot Problems

The foot bears the full weight of the body with every step. According to Podiatry Channel, the foot comprises 26 bones ranging from tiny bones in the toes to the large heel bone (calcaneus), 33 joints that facilitate motion, 20 muscles that give structure and allow movement, and about 80 tendons and ligaments that connect muscles and bones, any of which can become injured. Most foot disorders relate to injuries from poorly fitted shoes, overuse, sports injury or other trauma.

Flexion Toe Disorders

• Most flexion toe injuries arise from improperly fitted, tight shoes, such as high heels, or direct trauma to the toe joints. The second toe (the longest) is most often involved. With hammertoe, the proximal interphalangeal joint (the main toe joint) remains flexed (bent) and elevated. Mallet toe involves flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint (the end joint), so the end of the toe curls under. Claw toe is a combination of both a hammertoe and a mallet toe.

Heel Spur

• A heel spur is a small outgrowth of bone on the calcaneus (heel bone). Heel spurs are common after middle age and may cause no symptoms at all unless they irritate the plantar fascia.

Plantar Fascitis

• Plantar fascitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which stretches along the bottom of the foot. Plantar fascitis is usually caused by chronic irritation rather than an acute injury and presents as heel pain, especially in the morning. According to Podiatry Network, heel spurs are a common cause of plantar fascitis, but other causes include repetitive injury, such as from running, or sudden increase in weight that in turn increases pressure on the foot. Poorly fitting shoes may also put uneven pressure on the fascia and cause irritation or even rupture (tearing).

Stress Fracture

• Stress fractures are cracks in the bone caused by repetitive injury or stress and may occur anywhere within the foot, although the second and third metatarsals (bones connecting to the toes) are the most common sites, usually from marching or running. Pain is usually felt in the forefoot with activity. With repeated stress, these cracks may become complete fractures of the bone. Stress fracture of the calcaneus (heel) is severely painful and often results from falls, such as with rock climbing. The calcaneus tends to shatter on impact, sometimes causing multiple cracks to the bone.

Bunion

• A bunion is a bulging deformity on the side of the big toe caused by the big toe turning inward toward the second toe, causing the bones that connect the toe to the foot to become misaligned. The bulging tends to increase over time, resulting in pain, redness over the area and numbness or tingling. Some people have a tendency to develop bunions because of their foot type, but tight shoes may increase risk and speed the progression.

Skin Disorders

• When an area of the foot is chronically irritated, as from a tight shoe, the skin over the area becomes thick and hardened to provide protection. Corns are small and round and are common on bony prominences of the toes. Calluses are larger and most common on the heel and ball of the foot. Corns may become irritated and quite painful. Calluses sometimes crack, resulting in painful fissures in the skin.

  Athlete's foot is a fungal infection (tinea pedis) of the skin of the feet, often in moist areas, such as the bottom of the foot and between the toes. Athlete's foot causes burning, peeling, blistering and severe itching.

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

• The subtalar joint is just below the ankle and includes a small canal, the sinus tarsi, within the joint. According to Sports Injury Clinic, an injury to this joint, such as from an ankle sprain, can result in inflammation, swelling and scar tissue, and this can impinge (pinch) a nerve in the canal, causing deep pain in the surrounding tissue. Those with flat feet are at increased risk, as are those involved in activities that strain this joint, including bowling, baseball and ballet dancing.