Severe foot pain is prevalent for many people in the United States. It can be triggered by several factors and can vary in diagnosis. Many cases are caused by wearing ill-fitted shoes which force the feet or the toes to fit uncomfortably in the toe box. For instance, when women wear high heel shoes it is simply physics…the height of the heel causes more pressure to be placed on the toes and over the long term can lead to injury.
There are also some medical conditions that can contribute to pain in the feet.
Let’s talk about some of the most common conditions.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that leads to the deterioration of the cartilage which is the slippery tissue covering the end of the bones. If the cartilage is damaged, our bones can rub together causing severe pain and irritation. If not corrected, it can cause permanent damage. This condition can be caused by obesity, or a joint injury, and even advancing age.
Another common painful condition is gout. This medical condition is caused by excessive production of uric acid that can build up in our joints which can lead to pain. This malady is more common among males or even in females who are in postmenopausal stage. This condition is also seen in people with kidney diseases, diabetes, obesity, and sickle cell anemia.
An ingrown toenail is another rather painful condition which occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin of the toe, causing it to be swollen and painful. This is commonly seen in people who wear tight-fitting shoes that put a lot of pressure on the toenail or even in those who incorrectly trim their nails.
A corn is formed from a repeated friction. It is cone-shaped and has a knobby center that points inward. This knobby point can put pressure on a nerve on the foot and can cause foot pain.
Sometimes referred to as a March Fracture, stress fractures are typically seen as a break in any of the five metatarsal bones. These may be caused by strenuous exercise such as jogging or extreme aerobics or may even occur under much milder circumstances.
These are just a few of the conditions that can contribute to your severe foot pain. Having your feet in pain, can certainly impact your activities of daily living. If your feet hurt, you really don’t feel much like doing anything at all. So remember, to exercise, eat healthy and see your physician if you begin to have problems with your feet. Ignoring the matter is not the best idea. After all, you need your feet to stay healthy to carry you throughout your day.