Partners with Clarian Human Motion
Home Care
Foot injuries are very common and often result from athletic activities. It is important to wear the right shoe for the specific sport. For example, a running shoe that is cushioned may not offer
the support necessary for playing tennis.
Many foot injuries can be treated by the individual without a doctor’s care. Injuries such as sprains and strains can benefit from the “RICE” treatment: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
• Rest. Patients should get off injured feet as soon as possible.
• Ice. Ice is particularly important to reduce swelling and promote recovery during the first 48 hours. A bag or towel containing ice should be wrapped around the injured area on a repetitive cycle
of 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off.
Compression. An Ace bandage should be lightly wrapped around the area.
• Elevation. The foot should be elevated on several pillows.
For foot pain caused by a stress fracture, an extended rest period is often necessary. Crutches may be used for a week or so to take the pressure off, if your foot is particularly painful.
For foot pain due to plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts may help.
If you suspect that bones in a toe or foot have been broken or fractured, you should call a doctor, who will probably order x-rays. It should be noted that a person is often able to walk even if
a foot bone has been fractured, particularly if it is a chipped bone or a toe fracture.
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat mild pain caused by muscle inflammation. Aspirin is the most common NSAID. Others include ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil, Nuprin, Rufen), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis KT), naproxen (Aleve, Naprelan), and tolmetin (Tolectin). A gel containing ibuprofen can be applied to sore joints. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is
not an NSAID, and although it is a mild pain reliever, it will not reduce inflammation. It is important to note that high doses or long-term use of any NSAID can cause gastrointestinal disturbances,
with sometimes serious consequences, including dangerous bleeding. No one should take NSAIDs for prolonged periods without consulting a doctor.
The following chart recommends footwear options for common foot pain conditions.
Condition |
Location |
Symptoms |
Recommended Footwear |
Toe Pain |
|||
Bunions and bunionettes (tailor's bunion) |
Big toe (bunions) or little toe (bunionettes). |
The following can occur alone or in combination: |
Soft, wide-toed shoes or sandals. Bunion shields or splints. Thick doughnut-shaped moleskin pads, custom-made orthotics or foot slings if necessary. Avoid shoes with stitching along the side of the "bump." |
Morton's neuroma (also called interdigital neuroma) |
Inflammation of the nerve usually between the third and fourth toes and bottom of foot near these toes. |
Cramping and burning pain, or electric-shock sensation. The condition may produce a thick protective sheath around the nerve that feels like a ball. This may be detected by pressing top to bottom on the top of the foot using one hand and moving the other hand from side to side. Morton's neuroma is aggravated by prolonged standing and relieved by the removal of the shoes and forefoot massage. |
Wide (box-toed) shoes. Orthotic or insole with pad that reduces stress on the painful area. |
Hammertoe or claw toe |
Usually second toe but may develop in any or all of the three middle toes. |
Toes form hammer or claw shape. In hammertoe, the first knuckle of the toe is mainly affected. In claw toe the entire toe is deformed. No pain at first, increasing as tendon becomes tighter and toes stiffen. |
Wide (box-toed) shoes. Toe pads or specially designed shields, splints, caps, or slings. (Splints or slings not for people with diabetes.) |
Front-of-the-Foot Pain |
|||
Metatarsalgia |
Ball of the foot. |
Acute, recurrent, or chronic pain without a known cause. |
Wide (box-toed) shoes. Orthotic with pad that reduces metatarsal pressure. Gel cushions. Metatarsal bandage. |
Stress fracture |
Most often in the area beneath the second or third toe. |
Sudden pain when injury occurs, which persists. |
Low-heeled shoes with stiff soles. |
Sesamoiditis |
Ball of foot beneath big toe. |
Pain and swelling. |
Low-heeled shoe with stiff sole and soft padding inside. |
Heel and Back-of-the-Foot Pain |
|||
Plantar fasciitis or heel spurs |
Back of the arch right in front of heel. |
At onset, some people report a tearing or popping sound. Pain, most severe with first steps after getting out of bed, decreasing after stretching, returning after inactivity. |
Over-the-counter foot insole (cut quarter-size hole surrounding painful area). Possible night splints. Orthotics if necessary. |
Bursitis of the heel |
Center of the heel. |
Pain, with warmth and swelling. Increases during the day. |
Heel cup. |
Haglund's deformity (pump bump) |
Fleshy area on the back of the heel. |
Tender swelling aggravated by shoes with stiff backs. |
Soft shoes. Heel pads. Possible orthotic to support heel. |
Achilles tendinitis |
Achilles tendon: area along the back between calf muscles and heel. |
Pain worsens during physical activities (particularly running), after which the tendon usually swells and stiffens. If it ruptures, popping sound may occur followed by acute pain similar to a blow at the back of the leg. |
Insoles, tendon strap, heel cups. |
Arch and Bottom-of-the Foot Pain |
|||
Tarsal tunnel syndrome |
Anywhere along the bottom of the foot. |
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations, pain, most commonly felt at night. |
Specially designed orthotics to relieve pressure. |
Flat feet or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) |
The arch. |
No arch. Often no pain or discomfort. Three stages in PTTD: |
For children, possible custom-made insoles. |
High arches (hollow feet) |
The arch. |
High arches. Lower back pain, possible tendency to lower limb injuries. |
|
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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