Most people spend a good portion of their day on their feet and even more if your an athlete or your job requires it.  So it's no wonder that foot pain is a common occurrence.  The repetitive movements and impact that we put our feet through, in addition to the risk associated with frequent bending and twisting can increase the likelihood of foot pain and injury to the foot. While foot pain comes in many forms, there are some more common causes of foot pain that can make going about the day significantly more difficult.

 

1. Plantar Fasciitis

Just about every athlete knows the pain that plantar fasciitis causes.  Plantar fasciitis affects a large number of athletes as well as others and is known for the sharp pain it causes on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is generally the result of overuse, and occurs as small tears form in the plantar fascia over a period of time.  The plantar fascia is a small band of tissue the connects the ball of the foot to the heel, and as these tears form, it causes pain in the foot.

 

2. Achilles Tendinitis

Often confused with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis is a common cause of foot pain that presents as pain at the back of the heel and lower leg, or at the Achilles tendon.  The Achilles tendon is a thick band of tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel. Achilles tendinitis occurs frequently in runners and athletes and can be debilitating, requiring rest and stretching to get pain to subside temporarily.  As with plantar fasciitis, simple stretches before and during periods of exercise can help prevent this injury from occurring.

 

3. Heel Spurs

Heel spurs present with the same type of pain as plantar fasciitis and are often confused with this condition as the pain presents in the same area, under the heel and near the arch of the foot.  Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the front of the heel and often occur in combination with other issues. Heel spurs can be treated in much the same way as plantar fasciitis, but may require doctor intervention depending on the size of the growth and length of time present.

 

4. Adductor and Abductor Hallucis

The adductor hallucis is a muscle the runs across the top of the of the foot, where as the abductor hallucis runs along the inside of the foot, along the arch.  Pain in either of these areas is often confused with plantar fasciitis, where pain is at the bottom of the foot in the plantar fascia, and can present with similar symptoms. Issues in these areas is often caused by a lack of arch support and/or poor quality footwear as well as in people with bunions.