Common Foot Problems

Foot problems by type

For pain mapped by exact location (heel, arch, ball, top or side of the foot), see our guide to foot pain.

Heel and arch problems

• Plantar fasciitis: the most common cause of heel pain in adults. Stabbing pain under the heel on the first steps in the morning or after sitting, which eases as you walk and returns after long standing. Calf and plantar fascia stretches, cushioned shoes and arch supports help most people within months.
• Heel spurs: bony growths on the heel seen on X-ray. They are often painless; the pain is usually from the fascia.
• Achilles tendinitis: pain and stiffness at the back of the heel or above it, worst when starting to walk or run.
• Flat feet: a low or collapsed arch. Usually harmless. A flat foot that develops in adulthood on one side may signal a failing posterior tibial tendon.
• High arches: put extra pressure on the heel and ball of the foot and make ankle sprains more likely.

Forefoot and toe problems

• Bunion (hallux valgus): the big toe angles toward the other toes and a bony bump forms at its base. Wide, soft shoes and toe spacers ease symptoms. Surgery corrects the alignment when pain limits daily life.
• Hammer toe, claw toe and mallet toe: bent toes that rub on shoe tops and form corns. Flexible deformities respond to roomier shoes and exercises; rigid ones may need surgery.
• Metatarsalgia: aching or burning under the ball of the foot, common with high heels, high arches or high-impact sport.
• Morton's neuroma: a thickened nerve, usually between the third and fourth toes, causing burning pain and a feeling of walking on a pebble.
• Hallux rigidus: arthritis of the big toe joint, causing stiffness and pain when pushing off.
• Gout: sudden, severe pain, redness and swelling of a joint, classically the big toe, often starting overnight.
• Stress fractures: gradually increasing pain over a metatarsal bone after an increase in walking or running.

Skin and nail problems

• Corns and calluses: thickened skin over pressure points. Treat the cause (tight shoes, toe deformity) and have a podiatrist pare thick areas.
• Athlete's foot: a fungal infection that causes itchy, peeling, cracked skin between the toes or a dry scaly sole.
• Fungal nails: thick, yellow, brittle nails that grow slowly. Prescription tablets clear them more reliably than lacquers, but treatment takes months.
• Ingrown toenail: a nail edge growing into the skin, usually of the big toe, causing redness, pain and sometimes pus. Recurrent cases are treated by removing part of the nail and its root.
• Plantar warts: rough growths on the sole with tiny black dots (clotted capillaries), caused by HPV.
• Cracked heels: dry skin splitting under pressure. Daily urea cream helps.

Nerve, circulation and whole-body causes

Some foot problems are signs of a wider condition:

• Peripheral neuropathy, commonly from diabetes, alcohol or vitamin B12 deficiency, causes numbness, burning and loss of balance.
• Peripheral artery disease causes cold feet, slow-healing wounds and calf pain on walking.
• Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis) often starts in the small joints of the feet.
• Swelling of both feet can reflect heart, kidney, liver or vein problems.

People with diabetes have a much higher risk of ulcers and infection. Read about diabetic foot care if this applies to you.

How foot problems are diagnosed

A doctor or podiatrist will ask where and when it hurts, what shoes you wear, your activity level and your medical history. The exam includes looking at your foot standing and walking, pressing on tender points, checking pulses and sensation, and examining shoe wear. Tests may include:

• X-rays for fractures, arthritis, bunions and alignment, ideally taken standing
• Ultrasound or MRI for tendons, the plantar fascia, neuromas and stress fractures
• Blood tests for gout, diabetes or inflammatory arthritis
• Nail clippings to confirm fungus before long treatment
• Ankle-brachial index for circulation

Treatment and home care

• Footwear: a firm heel counter, cushioned sole, wide toe box and a heel under about 1 inch (2.5 cm) for daily wear. Replace running shoes every 300 to 500 miles.
• Insoles and orthotics: off-the-shelf arch supports help many heel and arch problems. Custom orthotics are used for more complex problems.
• Stretching and strengthening: calf stretches, plantar fascia stretches and toe exercises.
• Pain relief: ice after activity, and NSAIDs or acetaminophen (paracetamol) at the label dose.
• Weight management: each extra pound adds load to the feet with every step.
• Procedures: injections, shockwave therapy or surgery for problems that do not respond after several months.

Preventing foot problems

• Wash and dry feet daily, including between the toes.
• Cut nails straight across, not too short.
• Change socks daily and rotate shoes to let them dry.
• Wear shoes in communal showers and pools.
• Build up running and walking distances gradually.
• Check your feet daily if you have diabetes or numbness.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common foot problems?

The most common are plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, athlete's foot, fungal nails, flat feet, hammer toes and Morton's neuroma. Most are linked to footwear, foot shape, overuse or aging, and most improve with simple treatment.

When should I see a podiatrist for foot problems?

See a podiatrist if pain lasts more than a few weeks, a deformity makes shoes painful, nails are thick or ingrown repeatedly, or you have diabetes or poor circulation. Seek care the same day for an open wound with diabetes, a hot swollen foot, or a cold, discolored foot.

Can foot problems cause pain elsewhere in the body?

Yes. Changes in how you walk to avoid foot pain can strain the knees, hips and lower back. Flat feet and high arches alter leg alignment. Treating the foot problem, often with supportive shoes or orthotics, can ease these secondary aches.

Are foot problems a sign of other health conditions?

Sometimes. Numbness or burning can be the first sign of diabetes or vitamin deficiency, cold feet with calf pain suggest artery disease, swollen feet can reflect heart or kidney problems, and painful swollen toe joints can mean gout or inflammatory arthritis.

Do shoes really cause foot problems?

Shoes are a major factor. Tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes contribute to bunions, hammer toes, corns, metatarsalgia and Morton's neuroma, and worn-out shoes add to heel pain. Shoes rarely cause problems alone, but they often trigger or worsen them in feet already prone to them.