Why Do the Bottoms of My Feet Hurt So Bad?

There are many different reasons why the bottoms of your feet may hurt. This includes problems like plantar fasciitis and hammertoes, as well as more serious issues such as arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.

Getting your feet in tip-top shape is crucial to preventing foot pain and injury. It can also help you determine what’s causing the pain to start with and whether it requires medical attention.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. This fibrous band helps absorb shock when you walk and supports the arch of your foot. When it becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause stabbing pain in your heels and the base of your feet.

This condition typically causes the most pain when you take your first steps in the morning, but it can also happen when you stand up from sitting for long periods of time. Over-the-counter pain medications, icing the area, and wearing shoes with good arch support are all treatment options for this common problem.

Heel spurs

These are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of your heel, often resulting from wearing the wrong shoes or walking or standing in an abnormal way. They can cause severe pain and make it difficult to walk, especially if you have flat feet or high arches.

Ingrown toenails

Your nails are attached to your toes by tendons, which can become inflamed and irritated over time. When this happens, the toenails grow in at an angle and can cause your foot pain by pressing against the sides of your feet and causing inflammation.

Osteoarthritis

The cushioning cartilage that surrounds your joints in your feet and ankles wears out over time, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. This can occur as a result of injury or from the natural aging process.

Symptoms of this disease usually begin gradually, then get worse over time. If it’s affecting your daily activities, a podiatrist can create a plan to manage the pain.

Ingrown toenails are common for men and women, but can also affect children. They develop when a toenail grows in and pushes against a nearby skin crease or bony structure, according to Dr. Robbins.

Heel spurs are another common cause of foot pain. They form when a heel bone rubs against a bony protrusion on the side of your foot, causing it to press against a nerve that runs near the bottom of your foot.

These symptoms may not be painful at all or only at certain times, such as when you step on a sharp object, according to Dr. Cunha.

Metatarsalgia

The ball of your foot, under the toes, can feel swollen and inflamed when you’re wearing tight shoes or if you have a condition called Morton’s neuroma, which is when your nerves at the base of your toes become compressed.

It can be a very uncomfortable experience, but it’s important to see your doctor for treatment. Your doctor can prescribe over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to ease the inflammation, and a cortisone injection may be necessary if the underlying cause is more serious.