At first, the pain syndrome may be mild and almost unnoticeable. If the existing disease is not treated in a timely manner, such sensations become sharp and acute. In this case, the person cannot move independently, without assistance.
The feet are a kind of shock absorber for the legs, which helps to properly distribute the body load. The most vulnerable places of the lower extremities are the heel bones.
Specialists know many pathological conditions that cause pain in the foot when stepping. According to them, such unpleasant sensations can develop in any person, regardless of age and gender. At the same time, pain in the feet easily unsettles people from the rut of modern life.
Pain in the foot when stepping after a fracture, bruise or sprain often worries athletes who receive excessive stress during training. Most often they are subject to sprains. This type of injury causes sharp pain every time you move your legs.
The main reasons why sharp pain occurs in the foot when stepping are listed above. However, there are other diseases that lead to such unpleasant sensations.
Pregnancy is a period of numerous changes in a woman’s body. With the development of the fetus (from approximately the second trimester), the fairer sex significantly increases body weight. As a result, many women find it difficult to walk. They also often experience pain in their feet. Experts explain the occurrence of such sensations by the development of flat feet and wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes.
Now you know why pain occurs in the foot when stepping. Treatment of the listed ailments should begin only after consultation with a doctor. Thus, the first step on the path to recovery is to contact a professional orthopedist, who is obliged to examine the patient and, based on external signs, outline the range of probable causes for the formation of a painful symptom.
Of course, treatment of all of these diseases should only be carried out by an experienced doctor after diagnosis. However, first of all, the patient must direct all his efforts to relieve pain. This can be done in different ways. For example, many people resort to using anti-inflammatory ointments and gels, which not only eliminate pain, but also have a warming effect.
Foot massage and physiotherapy are also considered effective.
In addition to eliminating the main symptom, it is extremely important to cure the very cause of the pain.
Most often, discomfort in the feet is caused by infectious diseases. In this case, all therapy methods are aimed at eliminating the infection. The patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as local ointments and compresses.
The inflammatory process can affect any element of the foot, including the fascia. To cure this disease, many experts recommend the use of orthopedic insoles, braces, as well as massage, taping, foot immobilization and exercise therapy. In some cases, doctors even resort to surgery.
The most common injury experienced by the ankle occurs as a result of twisting the ankle. Every fifth patient visiting a traumatologist comes with the complaint that after he twisted his leg, it became painful for him to step on or the bone was swollen. Very often a person does not even notice that he twisted his leg due to negligence, but after a certain time the injury makes itself felt. Note that when twisting a leg, the ankle is the most vulnerable joint, since it experiences a load several times greater than the weight of the human body itself. Therefore, ankle injuries not only take a long time to heal, but can also cause disability if the pathology is not treated in time.
An interesting fact is that it is quite difficult to single out any specific reason leading to twisted legs. The factor of chance plays a big role here, because you can sprain your ankle in any situation. However, we note the most common factors that provoke twisted legs:
What a person calls a “twisted leg” is called an ankle joint injury by doctors. There are several types of damage that can result in a twisted leg, depending on which parts of the joint are damaged.
Most often, a fracture occurs when a leg is twisted as a result of a fall from a height, while running or jumping. But an injury can also be caused by a blow to the foot, for example, in traffic accidents or during work activities. Restoring health after such damage takes about three months, and in some cases, four or more.
Symptoms of injury also depend on which part of the ankle was injured during the twisting. For example, when a ligament ruptures, patients feel that their leg is swollen, and it is very painful to stand on the foot and try to walk. The foot may become bruised due to a ligament rupture. Since they no longer restrain the ankle, patients feel unsure when walking, and with a sudden movement, they can twist their leg again. If there is damage to the bone, the leg begins to hurt very much, and the patient cannot even step on it.
Often a person does not know what to do if he twists his ankle. At first, this injury seems so harmless that the victim will continue to lead a normal life, believing that the pain will definitely go away. However, the leg not only continues to hurt, but it can also swell, a hematoma will appear, and over time it will become impossible to step on the leg.
To protect yourself from possible complications, you need to know how to treat a sprained leg in the early stages after an injury. It’s not difficult to do this, the main thing is to know a few simple rules:
After providing first aid, you must show the twisted leg to a traumatologist. Only after an X-ray diagnosis can a doctor decide what treatment will be for a person who has twisted his leg, what to do with the ankle - place it in a cast or prescribe a tight bandage.
Diagnosis of twisted legs is carried out as follows. The doctor examines the ankle, determines the presence of bruising or swelling, and tests for pathological mobility in the joint. Usually, when walking, a person begins to twist his leg again. Such signs indicate the need for plaster casting, which is confirmed by an x-ray. If there is bleeding in the joint cavity, surgery may be necessary. If x-rays are not enough, ultrasound and computed tomography are prescribed.
It is very important that the ankle injury is treated completely, otherwise the patient may twist the ankle again if the ligaments or bones have not fully recovered. Treatment is carried out in a hospital, after which the patient is observed for several more days and sent home for treatment. In the first two weeks, a plaster splint is most often applied, which is subsequently replaced with a splint. Patients are administered anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium, and chondroprotectors. With their help, healing of a sprained leg occurs many times faster. It is very important that the patient is provided with complete rest during treatment.
If an injury occurs during the production process, for example, a ballerina twists her leg while performing on stage, then the organization is given a certificate about the permissible loads for the next period. Special doctors work with this category of patients who provide massage, conduct physical therapy classes, and physiotherapeutic procedures, taking into account the fact that a significant load will be placed on the joint in the near future.
The ankle is not the largest joint in the human body. However, problems with it can bring a lot of inconvenience to a person’s life. In clinical traumatology, there are several dozen problems that cause the ankle joint to swell and hurt - it is almost impossible to know how to treat such symptoms without consulting a doctor.
The causes of swelling in the ankle are injuries and systemic pathologies of the joints, bones, ligaments and blood vessels.
These concepts hide dozens of diagnoses that can be treated. These include:
Treatment of these pathologies is a set of procedures aimed at eliminating pain and swelling of soft tissues, inhibiting destructive processes, and enhancing tissue regeneration. Along with medications for internal and external use, physiotherapeutic treatment and surgical intervention are used. In some cases, a complete revision of lifestyle, including changing food preferences, degree of physical activity, and much more, helps to completely get rid of the discomfort that has arisen.
Arthritis or inflammation of the ankle joint of various natures is most often diagnosed in older people. However, some types of this disease are also diagnosed in children or young adults. Typical signs of this disease, in addition to swelling and pain spreading to the lower leg and foot, are a local increase in body temperature and redness of the soft tissues.
Depending on what caused the onset of arthritis, therapeutic methods and medications are selected for:
To effectively treat pain in the ankle joint, the cause of which is the presence of arthritis of any etiology, you need to provide it with rest: put off physical activity on your feet for a while and wear comfortable shoes.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by acute pain that occurs during attempts to flex or extend the diseased joint. The cause of this symptom is the wear and tear of the cartilage tissue lining the articular surfaces from the inside. To compensate for the lack of cartilage tissue, the body begins to actively build up bone formations, which often lead to joint deformation.
In the early stages of the disease, treatment of pain and swelling consists of pain relief and inflammation. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and complex analgesics are used. To restore slightly worn cartilage, preparations with collagen and chondroitin are used - chondroprotectors.
When the disease progresses to a critical state, when the cartilage is worn out by 60 percent or more, surgical treatment of the ankle joint is practiced. During the operation, the remains of tissue affected by the disease are removed, the surfaces of the articular bones are leveled, and grafts made of synthetic materials are installed, the role of which is to replace the “native” tissues. If the joint is deformed, forced alignment of the ankle is performed.
Additional measures on the path to full recovery are therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy. The purpose of these procedures is to restore the functional state of the joints and normalize metabolic processes in them.
Gout primarily affects the feet, but pain and swelling can also spread to the ankle. The essence of this disease is a change in metabolism, in which excess uric acid is deposited on the articular surfaces.
If gout is the cause of pain in the ankle joint, treatment involves reducing the concentration of uric acid in the body and reducing the level of its synthesis. This is achieved by strict adherence to a diet and long-term use of medications from the following groups:
In case of a complicated course of the disease or frequently recurring gouty attacks, surgical treatment is used, based on the removal of uric acid crystals from the joint cavity. An additional measure is physiotherapeutic procedures, which consist of exposing the joints to ultrasound, currents of different frequencies, and magnetic waves.
Rheumatic diseases of the soft periarticular tissues (tendons and ligaments) can result in pain and swelling in the ankle area. Most often, with such symptoms, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon and/or dystrophy) and plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar connective lobe) are diagnosed. The occurrence of both diseases is provoked by:
Therapy for tendonitis and fasciitis consists of a set of measures that include eliminating the underlying disease that provoked the inflammatory process in the tendons, taking medications and physiotherapeutic effects on the tissue.
For tendonitis, drug therapy is highly effective, including the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids (in the case of a complicated course of the disease), ankle immobilization and physical therapy: laser or magnetic therapy, ultrasound, electrophoresis and ultraviolet irradiation of the limb.
For fasciitis, the emphasis is on eliminating excessive tension on the plantar tendon through regular exercise and massage. It is also recommended to wear special arch supports during the day and a special splint at night. If there is no therapeutic effect, surgery is indicated.
When there are fractures or cracks in the bones, the ankle joint swells and hurts - how to treat such symptoms? Firstly, it is important to make sure that a fracture or crack actually exists. Secondly, with any damage to the bone structures in the ankle, it is important to ensure that this part of the leg is immobile. Thirdly, pain and swelling with such injuries can accompany the victim 7-10 days after the injury. And finally, the most important thing is that to completely eliminate these symptoms, competent manual reposition of bone fragments and immobilization for a period of 4-6 weeks or longer is sufficient.
In more complex cases, when fractures and cracks are associated with damage to soft tissues (usually this happens with displaced fractures), surgical intervention is required, during which ligaments, muscles and tendons are restored, as well as bone reposition and osteosynthesis by implanting wires into their thickness .
To quickly eliminate pain in the ankle joint, the causes and treatment of which are associated with a fracture, cold, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are used. It is not recommended to use these drugs before diagnosis, as this may blur the clinical picture.
After removing the plaster cast from the leg, pain and swelling continue to periodically bother the patient. To avoid this, a course of physiotherapy and exercise therapy is prescribed, which help restore the functional state of the ankle and restore mobility to the joint.
Ankle sprains and sprains occur when the foot is struck or twisted to the side, forward or backward, with or without rotation. Symptoms of a sprain include sharp pain in the lower leg and foot, bruising, swelling, and limited mobility. When the ligaments rupture, the symptoms become more pronounced, accompanied by an increase in local temperature and loss of sensitivity of the soft tissues at the site of the rupture.
Treatment for this type of injury depends on the degree of ligament damage:
No less important in case of injury to the ligamentous apparatus is rehabilitation in the form of gradually increasing loads on the ankle and nutritional adjustments.
Vascular pathologies, namely deep vein thrombosis, can cause swelling and pain in the lower leg and foot. This disease can be recognized by other signs:
Treatment of pain in the ankle joint, the cause of which is thrombophlebitis, begins with the early stage of the disease. The basis of therapy is drugs with an anticoagulant effect, as well as drugs that improve hemodynamics and strengthen the vascular wall. Physical activity at the time of exacerbation of the disease is reduced, but immobilization of the ankle is not required.
In severe cases of the disease, surgical intervention is indicated: thrombectomy (removal of a blood clot) or thrombolysis (its dissolution in the lumen of the vessel). In case of chronic thrombosis, wearing compression garments is indicated.
Whatever the cause of swelling in the ankle and pain in this part of the leg, it is not advisable to treat it yourself. Firstly, only a doctor can identify the true cause of the discomfort. Secondly, contacting him will help avoid complications. Thirdly, with a well-designed treatment plan, recovery will occur much faster, since treating an ankle joint that is swollen and painful without the use of special equipment and medications is difficult or even impossible.
Not everyone promptly pays attention to pain in the foot near the toes. It seems that the problem is so-so, so there is no need to worry. In fact, such a symptom may hide not only an orthopedic, but also a more dangerous cause - a neurological one. Why does pain actually occur on the sole of the foot and how to eliminate the discomfort?
The foot is one of the subsystems of the human skeleton with its own functions, thanks to which a person walks with support on both legs. In this regard, the daily load on the feet is very high. The composition of the foot includes about 10 joints and more than 15 bones. When even one of these key components is damaged, the bottom of the sole near the toes begins to hurt. Doctors believe that the most common cause of foot pain is wearing inappropriate shoes. Heels, platforms, narrow toes, soles without heels - these factors can provoke deformation of the leg bones and pain. And if you add to at least one of them excess weight and excessive stress on the lower limbs, then how can pain not appear? A condition that causes thinning of bones and muscle tissue is prolonged bed rest.
The above problems are associated with orthopedic pathologies. Much more insidious is the manifestation of rheumatological or neurological diseases. Some of them are directly related to certain body systems (for example, cardiovascular). Therefore, treatment will have to be done using more complex methods.
When diagnosing foot pain, the nature and location of the pain syndrome is determined. What are the reasons for pain in the foot under the toes?
Often, athletes whose legs are heavily overloaded experience foot pain.
The foot can also hurt under the influence of diseases:
If the pain in the feet does not go away even after several hours of rest, urgent measures need to be taken. The doctor, after examining the feet, prescribes an x-ray. If the traumatologist has not identified anything in his area, he will recommend seeking help from a rheumatologist or neurologist. After undergoing diagnostics and identifying the cause of foot pain, the doctor will tell you how to treat the sole of your foot.
Treatment tactics are determined by the nature and stage of the disease.
For flat feet, orthopedic shoes or insoles placed in regular shoes are prescribed.
For pinched nerves, exercises or manual therapy are recommended.
An ingrown toenail, a disruption in the blood supply, or a progressive stage of neuroma are indications for surgical intervention.
For inflammation in joints and tissues with severe pain in the feet, anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed.
Osteoporosis is the basis for treatment with hormonal pills, vitamins, and calcium supplements.
The cause is eliminated using special medications. For the injured limb, a special regime is required: rest and a minimum of physical movements.
If your foot bothers you greatly when walking, causing pain, then it makes sense to undergo a comprehensive examination. However, the best measures are to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid overloading your legs.
Every day you need to eat foods that contain a lot of calcium, wear comfortable shoes, do gymnastics, alternate physical work with short breaks - and pain in the foot will not occur or will remain a thing of the past.
No one enjoys heel pain when walking. Therefore, for a normal life, it is necessary to find out the cause of the pain and undergo a course of effective treatment. Most often, pain in the lower extremities occurs due to wearing the wrong shoes (too high a heel or no heel at all), rapid weight gain in a short period of time, an excessive increase in the load on the calf muscles, and depletion of the subcutaneous fat layer in the heel area. But there are also more serious reasons why you may feel pain when stepping on it. These can be systemic, infectious or inflammatory diseases, as well as various types of injuries.
The effectiveness of treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis, therefore, first of all, you will need to be examined by a doctor and carry out the necessary examinations.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory process that forms in the plantar fascia. Due to this inflammation, a bone growth forms on the heel, the so-called heel spur. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis: it hurts to step on the foot in the morning, during the day the pain may disappear, but after a while it becomes even more severe. A heel spur can only be diagnosed after an X-ray. What to do if you have a heel spur? The main treatment methods for plantar fasciitis are:
Bursitis is an inflammatory disease of the soft longitudinal tissues of the foot. Signs of bursitis are swelling, inflammation of the central part of the heel area, and it becomes painful to walk even after being at rest. The presence of bursitis is determined by general typical clinical signs and by puncture of the bursa cavity.
How to treat bursitis:
Before starting any treatment, you must be diagnosed by a doctor.
Achilles or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Symptoms: swelling and increased temperature at the site of the tendon, pain when stepping on the heel. To determine the severity of Achillitis, it is necessary to undergo ultrasound diagnostics. How to treat tendon inflammation? Treatment includes anti-inflammatory therapy with medications or physical therapy.
If you have pain in your heels when walking due to possible rheumatoid arthritis, you should be examined. For an accurate diagnosis, X-rays, general and biochemical blood tests, and examination of synovial fluid are prescribed. Pain when walking due to arthritis is treated with the following methods:
Heels also hurt due to gout. For an accurate diagnosis of gout, biochemical and general blood tests, x-rays, and synovial fluid analysis are prescribed. To cure a patient of gout, specialists use medications, diet and therapeutic exercises. The patient is prescribed drugs such as butadione, diclofenac, naproxen for anti-inflammatory action, milurit, tiupurinol to reduce uric acid levels.
With ankylosing spondylitis, the heels also hurt when walking. What is done to diagnose such a disease? Examinations of the spine, joints, and laboratory diagnostics are carried out. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis: pain in the legs when walking, stiffness in the spine, persistent pain in the joints, pain in the heel area. Ankylosing spondylitis is treated with the following methods:
Examples of physical therapy exercises
It may be painful to place your foot on the heel area when walking due to osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis can be diagnosed by the general clinical picture and on the basis of x-rays. How to treat such an infectious disease? The patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs to destroy the microorganisms that caused the disease. This may also include surgery, physical therapy, and the use of immunostimulating drugs.
The foot hurts when walking due to bone tuberculosis. Diagnosis of bone tuberculosis occurs based on clinical signs, X-ray results, computed tomography and biopsy (taking a tissue sample for analysis). Ways to combat bone tuberculosis:
Intestinal and urogenital infections can also make it painful to place your feet when walking. To identify intestinal infections that lead to diseases such as salmonellosis, dysentery, yersiniosis, the patient is prescribed tests for the presence of infections, microbiological analysis of stool. Overcome intestinal diseases with the help of antibiotics and probiotics for the intestines.
Urogenital diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia) are diagnosed using bacterioscopic and cultural studies, polymerase chain reaction, and serological research. Taking various types of antibiotics will help cure such infectious diseases.
Fractures and cracks in the heel area are not uncommon. In order to detect the presence of such injuries, it is necessary to take an x-ray. Signs of fractures are the inability to stand on the foot, unbearable pain in the heel area, swelling and hematoma. After the examination, the doctor will tell you what to do with your broken leg. This is complete immobility of the limbs, manual reposition or surgery, application of a plaster cast.
For bruises, compresses with medications (dimexide, heparin, traumeel, salt and potassium permanganate solution), special ointments and gels to relieve swelling (dolobene, levomekol, lyoton), physiotherapy, and ultrasound therapy are prescribed.
It hurts to stand on your foot due to a sprained or torn tendon. In case of tendon rupture, operative and conservative methods are used. And stretching is done by complete rest of the limb, application of special orthopedic bandages or elastic bandages.
You can get rid of pain at home, but only if the heel pain is not due to illness or serious injury. The following tips will help you quickly relieve pain:
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Many people complain of discomfort and pain that occurs in the foot not only when walking, but also at rest. Such sensations can be either a consequence of overwork or a symptom of a serious illness. If a person experiences pain in the foot even with slight exertion, he should immediately contact a medical facility for consultation.
Types of pain that can occur in the foot
Modern medicine classifies the pain syndrome that occurs in the foot during movement as follows:
If a mechanical impact has been exerted on the bone tissue, patients may experience very acute pain. In this case, they need emergency medical care, during which a plaster cast, a tight bandage, or another therapeutic technique may be applied.
Diseases that can cause foot pain
There are a large number of diseases, with the progression of which patients may experience pain in the leg. The reasons for discomfort in the foot include the following:
What injuries can cause foot pain?
Very often, the development of pain in the foot area is caused by various injuries:
“It is known that for the treatment of joints there are special insoles, splints, correctors and operations that are prescribed by doctors. But we will not talk about them, but about those medicines that you can use yourself and at home..."
If a person has suffered an injury that causes severe pain in the foot area, he should not waste time, but go to the nearest medical facility. In the case where the patient is not transportable, he needs to call an ambulance team, who will take him to the hospital for examination. At the appointment, the doctor will first examine the patient, during which he will palpate the injured part of the foot. After this, the specialist will begin collecting anamnesis and prescribe a series of diagnostic measures, including radiography. If an x-ray does not provide an accurate assessment of bone tissue damage, the doctor may refer the patient for a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan.
How to eliminate pain in the foot area?
To relieve pain in the foot area, the patient must undergo drug treatment, often accompanied by physiotherapeutic procedures. It is worth noting that the course of therapy for the patient should be selected only by a highly qualified specialist: a traumatologist, surgeon or orthopedist. If a person with severe pain does not know who to turn to, he should make an appointment with the on-duty therapist, who will redirect to the right doctor. In the case when a patient complains of a pain syndrome that bothers him after a night's rest, developing against the background of rheumatism, then a rheumatologist or cardiologist can help in this situation.
If pain in the foot area is caused by a neuroma (a benign tumor that surrounds a nerve) affecting every 3 or 4 toes, then treatment must be comprehensive. The patient will necessarily need to consult an oncologist, who will carry out a number of diagnostic measures aimed at identifying cancer cells in the tumor (special tests are done, for which the patient’s biological material is taken). During the treatment process, a person must follow all the recommendations of his doctor, wear comfortable shoes, follow a diet and daily routine.
If people experience severe pain in the feet, this may indicate the development of serious diseases. In this case, patients should not self-medicate, which often leads to unpleasant and sometimes irreparable consequences. Timely preventive measures will help prevent the development of serious pathologies.
First and foremost, people should focus on strengthening their bones throughout their lives. To do this, it is enough to eat right and regularly take special medications that contain calcium. As for the daily diet, it should contain the following products: milk, cottage cheese, etc. When creating a menu, you should avoid dishes high in fat and carbohydrates, which lead to gaining extra pounds. Weight gain will negatively affect the entire musculoskeletal system and the general well-being of the patient.
It is mandatory for this category of patients to engage in physical exercise. Heavy loads are contraindicated for them, and specially designed exercises should be done daily. With their help, people can strengthen muscles and ligaments, as well as prevent the development of flat feet. You should pay special attention to your shoes. If a person spends the whole day on his feet, then a high heel and narrow toe will cause him excruciating suffering. In this case, you should give preference to a loose pair of shoes (boots or boots), made of soft material, with a molded sole, of medium thickness.
How to relieve foot pain with folk remedies?
Before putting into practice traditional medicine recipes to relieve foot pain, the patient should consult with his doctor. If the specialist has no objections, you can try the following “old-fashioned methods”:
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Why does my foot hurt when I step? Possible causes and treatment methods for this pathological condition will be presented below.
Modern people very often experience pain in their feet when stepping. This state of affairs leads not only to anxiety, but also to a limitation of a person’s physical activity. After all, unpleasant sensations in the legs do not allow the patient to lead a normal lifestyle and engage in his professional activities.
Most often, patients do not even understand why they have pain in their feet when they step. The causes of this disease may be associated with various diseases and conditions of the body. Only an experienced specialist can identify them. Therefore, if you experience discomfort in your legs, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Pain in the foot when stepping can be of different types. It depends on the reasons for the discomfort.
So what diseases lead to such pathological symptoms? The most common reasons will be listed right now.
Acute pain in the foot when stepping is often caused by a heel spur. This pathological condition is characterized by the appearance of a growth on the heel, which occurs as a result of inflammation of the structural elements of the feet of a chronic nature.
Severe pain in the foot after sleep is usually caused by this disease. Painful and unpleasant sensations in the heels occur in the morning, and after a while they subside a little.
A bruise is a more serious pathology, which is characterized by damage to soft tissues, as well as the formation of a hematoma. If a person keeps complete rest and uses local medications, then he can quickly restore his normal state.
As for heel fractures, they are extremely rare. However, this condition is rarely treatable.
Bursitis is a disease of inflammatory origin. It affects the tissues of the foot that connect the toes and heel bones. This disease contributes to the development of increasing pain, which intensifies while walking.
This disease occurs due to inflammation of the connective tissue of the sole, which changes its structure, becomes deformed and ultimately leads to severe pain. The cause of this pathology is usually uncomfortable and tight shoes.
The diseases mentioned are of a chronic inflammatory nature. Most often they occur due to metabolic disorders. Pain in the heels in these cases is constant, persistent and debilitating, and with arthritis it also increases.
Pregnancy is a period of numerous changes in a woman’s body. With the development of the fetus (from approximately the second trimester), the fairer sex significantly increases body weight. As a result, many women find it difficult to walk. They also often experience pain in their feet. Experts explain the occurrence of such sensations by the development of flat feet and wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes.
As a rule, such pain disappears on its own some time after childbirth. If the discomfort when stepping remains, this indicates the development of dystrophic disorders in the foot, which require immediate treatment.
If necessary, patients are prescribed an x-ray of the foot, and also undergo a CT or MRI scan of bone tissue, ligaments and tendons.
Based on the results of the study, the doctor will be able to make the correct diagnosis and then prescribe the necessary treatment.
If the patient is bothered by unbearable and severe pain, then he is prescribed hormonal drugs, including in the form of injections into the affected area. Such procedures quickly help relieve acute pain. If they are ineffective, then they resort to radiotherapy.
To avoid serious problems with the health of the lower extremities, it is enough for the patient to adhere to the following rules:
Unpleasant sensations and discomfort in the foot cause a person a lot of trouble, making it impossible to fully move. Pain can occur directly when walking, which is associated with increased load on the foot or in the presence of pathologies of the lower extremities. In some cases, pain is the first sign that a person has serious health problems that cannot be ignored. We will find out below what causes pain in the foot when walking, how they are diagnosed and what types of pain are accompanied.
Since there are a lot of situations in which the feet hurt, all the reasons causing discomfort are usually divided into two categories :
The last group includes such manifestations as:
Non-pathological causes of foot pain when walking can be easily eliminated.
It is necessary to give your feet more rest , alternate physical activity, and also wear comfortable and comfortable shoes with arch support, which helps to evenly distribute all the loads on the foot.
With pathologies, things are much more complicated. Here you can’t do without complex treatment and diagnostics. Therefore, if you have pain in the foot that does not go away on its own within 2-3 days, you need to go for a consultation with a specialist in order to quickly determine the cause and get rid of it, returning your previous painless mobility.
This pathology is associated with complex damage to the spinal cord, in which the metabolism of vitamin B12 is disrupted. As a result, there is an acute shortage of it, which is accompanied by pain in the feet. Unpleasant sensations when moving are the first symptom of the disease, which may include disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as a decrease in physical activity
The cause of the development of the pathology is complex Addison-Biermer disease, in which the metabolic apparatus is not formed correctly.
Most often, the disease progresses in the presence of accompanying factors:
It has been proven that funicular myelosis can be inherited , so it is worth considering the predisposition to progression during diagnostic procedures.
Type of pain A feeling of coldness appears in the foot, after which numbness gradually increases. This is followed by severe pain, similar in its manifestations to seizures. The pain is dull and spreads to the entire foot , involving the ankle and calf muscle.
In the absence of timely treatment, rapid paralysis of the limbs develops, after which it is extremely difficult (almost impossible) to restore motor activity of the lower limbs.
Localization The disease manifests itself in the form of a symptomatic attack, which begins with mild numbness and tingling of the fingers. Further, the painful sensation spreads to the entire foot, and the source of pain is extremely difficult to identify. Pain and a feeling of “pins and needles” may gradually rise up to the thigh, which indicates the rapid progression of the disease.
Diagnostics If there are characteristic symptoms and accompanying manifestations, the doctor may prescribe a comprehensive examination to establish an accurate diagnosis:
The main task of treatment is to find the root cause, as well as to normalize the level of cyanocobalamin, which provoked the development of the pathology. Therapy can have several directions:
Do not forget that funicular myelosis is dangerous because it has a slow course.
Usually people seek help when the disease has already progressed and is difficult to overcome . Therefore, pain in the foot when walking should be alarming and should be a reason to consult a doctor.
Polyneuropathy is characterized by extensive damage to the nerves, resulting in reduced motor activity, which is accompanied by acute pain. People with diabetes, as well as those who suffer from chronic alcoholism, are at risk. Less commonly, the disease progresses in people who have systemic disorders and are forced to take certain medications throughout their lives.
Polyneuropathy can provoke the development of an inflammatory process in which nerve fibers become irritated, causing pain.
Type of pain Initially, the disease manifests itself when a person constantly feels muscle fatigue in the legs, without any physical activity. Further, the symptoms are complemented by numbness of the foot, which makes walking, even short distances, problematic. Acute, shooting pain, which can radiate to the knee joint and calf muscle, is gradually replaced by a lack of sensation in the foot. Pain can occur not only during movement, but also at rest.
Localization The sole is the source of pain, but it can radiate to the knee joint, gradually rising higher to the femur.
Diagnostics In cases where polyneuropathy has an uncertain etiology, diagnostic measures may be required such as:
Painful polyneuropathy is treated in accordance with what exactly caused its development . In the presence of diabetes and problems with hormones, therapy is aimed at taking stabilizing drugs that equalize the levels of hormones and blood sugar. It is necessary to follow a diet and drink more fluids. Auxiliary components are:
In some cases, surgery may be required, including amputation of the foot (for diabetes).
This pathology is determined by the presence of an inflammatory process in the nerve that runs between the third and fourth toes. It develops as a result of excessive stress on the toes, which is achieved by wearing high heels that violate the anatomical position of the phalanges of the toes.
Pathology also develops with frequent injuries and bruises, punctures and in the presence of excess weight, which of course puts increased stress on the legs.
Type of pain Burning, severe pain that intensifies with movement and does not disappear on its own during rest. During sleep, only the symptoms are less pronounced, but in the morning the foot hurts very much, to the point of being unable to step on it.
Localization A strong burning sensation appears between the third and fourth fingers, which develops into tingling and numbness.
Diagnosis The primary method of diagnosis is a visual examination of the foot, as well as palpation of the area between the third and fourth toes. If a person experiences severe burning pain, then the problem is most likely nerve inflammation, which can be confirmed with the help of:
Morton's neuroma can be overcome in two ways: with or without surgery. Conservative treatment involves factors such as:
A radical method of treatment is surgery, which is performed only in advanced stages of the pathology.
It involves excision of the inflamed nerve , after which the pain disappears 3-4 hours after the operation.
Alternative medicine recipes can relieve pain (but not get rid of the problem), which include:
The calcaneus connects to the metatarsals via the plantar fascia, the inflammation of which is determined by plantar fasciitis. A ligament that experiences increased pressure, friction or strain loses its capacity, which affects its performance. Most often, the disease affects athletes, ballerinas and obese people.
Plantar fasciitis can also develop in women who constantly wear high heels .
Type of pain The pain is very sharp, burning and restricts movement . Its peak occurs in the morning, when the foot was most relaxed during sleep. When moving, the pain is less pronounced and is localized mainly in the heel. There is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, as well as pain in the foot when walking.
Localization Pain occurs in the heel, after which it can spread evenly to the toes, ankle and calf muscles.
Diagnostics An orthopedist, traumatologist or surgeon can determine the presence of the disease. The most accurate way to show the condition of the foot is an x-ray, which shows the growth of the bone tissue of the heel spur, as well as the deformation of the foot.
In cases where the disease is associated with or caused by the presence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the diagnosis is complemented by MRI.
Treatment Pain in the foot when stepping, which is provoked by fasciitis, is treated comprehensively:
In cases where the disease is in an advanced form and threatens to rupture the fascia, surgical intervention is performed to excise the ligament and reduce pressure on it.
Alternative medicine is not able to cope with the treatment of such a disease, and given its seriousness and danger to life, we can conclude that the only correct solution is to go to the doctor.
This disease is defined by a decrease in bone density , in which the bones become loose and brittle. A person can break a leg while walking or moving awkwardly. The disease develops and progresses against the background of hormonal imbalance, and can also occur as a result of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, oncology, hepatitis and ankylosing spondylitis. Osteoporosis can also progress in older people, which is normal after 75 years.
Type of pain The pain is dull, aching, constant. Intensifies with physical activity.
Pain in the feet can become sharp and shooting when the weather changes and humidity increases.
Localization The heel may hurt the most, but when you step on the foot, the pain spreads to the entire leg, with the focus precisely in the depth of the heel.
Diagnosis Since osteoprosis affects all bone tissue of the body, the only accurate diagnostic option is MRI. Tomography of bone tissue allows you to assess its looseness, fragility and predict further treatment. Additional tests may also be required: a blood test for hormones and a complete blood count, a urine test.
Treatment Therapy for osteoporosis involves the following areas:
Medicines used to treat osteoporosis include:
It is also important to follow an appropriate diet, which is rich in foods high in calcium, such as cottage cheese, cheese, milk, meat, fish, nuts, and herbs.
Therapeutic exercise and any therapeutic procedures are prescribed only after the first progress has been made in drug treatment.
Bursitis is an inflammatory process in the synovial bursa , whose task is to reduce friction between the bones of the joint. The foot contains 10 bursas (bags), so the inflammatory process can develop from the toes to the Achilles tendon. Most often, the disease progresses in people involved in sports (weightlifting, running, gymnastics), as well as in those who are overweight.
The cause of the development of pathology is injury, which is a trigger in the development of inflammation.
Type of pain The pain is very sharp and intensifies with any movement of the joint. At rest the intensity is slightly lower.
Localization Painful sensations occur in those places where there is inflammation:
There are two ways to determine bursitis:
Drug therapy involves the use of NSAIDs, which help relieve inflammation and swelling. If the cause of inflammation is pathogenic microorganisms, then antibacterial therapy is used. It is also necessary to wear a special bandage that helps reduce the load on the joint.
In combination with a decrease in motor activity, bursitis goes away quite quickly, but lack of treatment leads to complete deformation of the joint, which will not allow you to walk painlessly.
This is a pathological modification of the joint , which is caused by the deposition of uric acid salts. It develops mainly in people over 40 years of age. Those at risk include people who are overweight, have diabetes, and are alcoholics.
Type of pain Sudden pain in the legs when walking, accompanied by heat in the affected area.
Localization It can occur in any joint of the foot, but most often develops in the area of the big toe.
Diagnosis Diagnosis is made based on test results that indicate the presence of excess uric acid.
An x-ray that shows the structure of the joint can also help.
Treatment Drug therapy is aimed at reducing pain, as well as normalizing the level of uric acid in the body. It is very important to follow a diet that excludes refractory fats. Among the most effective drugs are:
If the joint is completely destroyed, it is removed and replaced with an implant.
A systemic chronic connective tissue disease in which small peripheral joints are destroyed . The disease is autoimmune in nature and most often occurs in people over 50 years of age.
Type of pain Aching pain that can accumulate throughout the day and intensify in the evening.
Localization The source of pain is the affected joint.
Diagnostics Diagnosis is made based on the results of studies such as:
Getting rid of rheumatoid arthritis is not easy. This is a chronic disease, so treatment is aimed at reducing pain and eliminating the inflammatory process. Drug therapy involves the use of NSAIDs and painkillers, as well as selective COX inhibitors.
An auxiliary method of treatment is physiotherapy in the form of:
This pathology is determined by the presence of a flat foot , without a characteristic instep.
It can be congenital or acquired when it develops while wearing flat-soled shoes.
Aching pain, feet hurt when walking and during physical activity. The pain may radiate to the spine.
Localization It is painful to step on the foot in general.
Diagnostics To make a diagnosis, it is enough to examine the foot.
Treatment Therapy consists of wearing special orthopedic shoes, as well as performing physical exercises with self-massage.
Among the most common foot injuries that are accompanied by severe pain are:
Such injuries provoke acute pain, so before visiting the doctor you should take a painkiller tablet (Analgin, Nalgesin, Pentalgin).
Varicose veins and thrombosis are the most common foot pathologies associated with blockage of blood vessels and a decrease in their elasticity. In the first case, the walls of the vessels become thinner and cannot fully transport blood to all distant tissues of the foot. With thrombosis, the blood supply is disrupted due to blockage of the lumen of the vessel by a blood clot.
These causes of leg pain are eliminated in a comprehensive manner and are distinguished by dull, aching pain.
If the foot swells, loses sensitivity, and the general condition gradually worsens, do not hesitate to go to the doctor.
You should monitor your temperature and pay attention to accompanying symptoms.
Also, be sure to watch the next video
Before consulting a doctor, if you have acute pain, you can take 2 tablets of an anesthetic drug to stop the pain attack. If there are fractures, dislocations or torn ligaments, the foot should be immobilized.
Thus, it became clear why the feet hurt and why a seemingly healthy person cannot stand on his feet. There are a lot of reasons, as well as ways to eliminate them, so you shouldn’t self-medicate.
Only a specialist can choose the most appropriate treatment.
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