Common Foot Pain Causes
Written by: Marcos Otero, Retired Physician Associate
Pain by area:
Top of foot pain
If you have pain on the top of your foot, possible causes include:
- Sprains or strains.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Tendonitis.
- Gout.
Bottom of foot pain
Pain in the bottom of your foot, including arch pain and ball of foot pain, might develop because of:
- Plantar fasciitis (commonly causes arch and heel pain).
- Morton’s neuroma.
- Flat feet (fallen arches).
- Sprains or strains.
- Bunions.
- Corns and calluses.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Bursitis.
- Plantar warts.
Side of foot pain
Pain on the outside of your foot could indicate:
- Bursitis.
- Bunions.
- Peroneal tendonitis.
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD).
- Stress fractures.
- Jones fracture.
- Cuboid syndrome (subluxation of midtarsal joint).
Foot heel pain – Heel pain is a common symptom of:
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Achilles tendonitis.
- Bursitis.
- Heel fracture.
- Achilles tendon rupture.
Toe pain
- Ingrown toenail.
- Bunion.
- Gout.
- Hammertoes.
- Broken toe.
- Raynaud’s syndrome.
Nerve pain in foot
Nerve pain might feel like a burning, tingling or electric shock sensation. Nerve pain in your foot could indicate:
- Burning feet syndrome.
- Baxter’s neuropathy.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome.
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Sciatica.
- Diabetes-related neuropathy.