Wearing improper shoes or extensive use of the feet can cause foot pain. Common causes of foot pain associated with improper or tight-fitting shoes include the following:

• Bunions
• Calluses
• Warts
• Corns
• Ingrown toenails
• Fallen arches
• Sprains

Morton's neuroma (characterized by sharp or burning pain in the ball of the foot, which may go into the toes) is less common but is also often caused by wearing tight-fitting shoes.

Stress fracture of the metatarsal bones can be caused by strenuous foot use, such as during walking or running. Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of the foot) occurs commonly in long distance runners. Foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis is often made worse by wearing very stiff-soled shoes such as ski boots or by suddenly going from high-heeled shoes to flats.

Gout commonly occurs in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen and very tender.

Bony spur is usually characterized by a sharp pain in the heel and is generally caused by activities that involve strenuous foot-pounding.

• Bunions
• Calluses
• Warts
• Corns
• Ingrown toenails
• Fallen arches
• Sprains
• Stress fracture of the metatarsal bones
• Morton's neuroma
• Gout
• Bony spur
• Obesity
• Inflammatory arthritis

Wear comfortable shoes. Wear shoes with adequate room around the ball of the foot. Try wearing sneakers on your way to work, and change into "dress" shoes after you arrive.

Over-the-counter pain medications for 2 to 3 weeks may help relieve the pain.

For foot pain caused by a bunion, using moleskin or padding around the bunion may help relieve pressure.

For foot pain caused by a stress fracture, rest is recommended. Crutches may be used for a week or so to take pressure off the foot if it is particularly painful.

For foot pain due to bony spurs, shoe inserts may help, but rest is the most important factor for healing.

Call your health care provider if you have foot pain that remains unexplained and is seemingly unrelated either to injury or to shoes. A foot surgeon/orthopedist may be helpful when dealing with foot pain.

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will examine your foot.

Medical history questions documenting foot pain may include the following:

• Location
  • Are both feet affected?
  • Exactly what part of the foot is affected?
  • Is there pain over the small joints of the foot?
  • Is the pain in the joint where the toes and foot meet (MTP joint)?
  • Is the pain in the joints in the middle of the toes (PIP joint)?
  • Is there pain in the bones of the foot (tarsal pain)?
• Distribution
  • Does the pain move from joint to joint (migrating)?
  • Does it always occur in the same location?
  • Is the pain the same on both feet?
• Time pattern
  • Did the pain begin suddenly and severely?
  • Did it begin slowly and mildly and then get worse?
  • How long has the pain been present?
  • Is it worse at night?
  • Is it resolving
• What other symptoms are present?

Extremity X-rays may be useful in making a diagnosis.

For bunions or spurs, your health care provider may prescribe cortisone injections if other medication or changing shoes has not helped. No more than three injections should be attempted in most cases.