Pain On The Foot’s Outer Edge
The outer edge of your foot, the fifth metatarsal bone, is a commonly broken bone in the foot. Pain, swelling, and bruising along the outer foot edge after an injury are symptoms. If you think you may have broken a bone, see a doctor and have an X-ray.
To treat it:
- Rest, ice, and elevate your foot.
- Donât walk on it.
- Ask your doctor if surgery is necessary.
- A cast may be necessary in some circumstances.
What Are The Common Symptoms Experienced With Outer Heel Pain
Outer heel pain is often associated with a number of other symptoms, and these may include:
- An unstable foot
- Tenderness in the outer heel
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty standing on the affected foot.
Patients who have peroneal tendinopathy generally experience gradually worsening outer heel pain. They experience pain and ankle instability during and after weight-bearing exercise. There may be pain when turning the foot in and out. In patients where sinus tarsi syndrome is the problem, the outer heel pain is most severe when the person is standing, walking on an uneven surface, or rolling the foot inwards and outwards.
Is Foot Tendonitis Causing Pain On The Side Of Your Foot
Tendon inflammation, such as peroneal tendonitis, can occur as a result of repetitive tension. Peroneal tendonitis causes the peroneal tendons the two tendons that extend from the back of the calf over the outer ankle to swell and become inflamed.
This condition is common in athletes that participate in sports that involve repetitive ankle motions, such as runners, and can worsen with activity. Peroneal tendon injuries are rarely isolated. Often they occur in combination with lateral ankle sprains. Other factors that contribute to peroneal tendonitis include: overuse, a sudden increase in exercise volume, inadequate training techniques, unsupportive footwear.
Patients may experience pain and swelling on the back or side of the foot, pain that worsens with activity, as well as ankle instability. If left untreated, peroneal tendonitis can become much more severe and limiting. Therefore, early treatment is critical to avoid chronic pain and disability.
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and plays a big role in the ability to walk, run and jump. Because it is used for activities that put great stress on the tendon, it can be prone to the inflammation called Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis occurs along the back of the leg and around the heel and back of the foot. Patients report experiencing pain, swelling, and weakness of the tendon.
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Which Exercises Can I Use
Regular, gentle exercises can help loosen up muscles and tendons to get your foot moving normally again and reduce pain. Research has shown that exercises are effective at reducing symptoms in plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and ankle sprains.
Frequency is important to make the exercises as effective as possible, so aim to do your chosen exercises three times a day. You can increase the frequency and the number of repetitions over time but keep the intensity low.
Below are nine exercises to relieve foot and ankle pain. These exercises can be used in any combination or on their own, so choose the ones that work best for you. Exercises 1-7 can be done seated, while 8 and 9 are done standing up:
1 Achilles tendon and plantar fascia stretch
This exercise is first on the list as it soothes two of the most painful areas: the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. To begin, loop a towel around the ball of your foot and pull back towards your body with the knee kept straight. Hold for 30 seconds for each foot.
2 Sitting plantar fascia stretch
Cross your foot over the opposite knee. Hold the base of the toes and gently pull back until you feel a stretch along the underside of your foot. Hold for 15-20 seconds per repetition. Repeat 3 times on each foot.
3 Towel pickup
4 Plantar fascia stretch
Put your foot on top of a rounded object . With light pressure, roll the arch of your foot back and forth over the object for a few minutes.
5 Seated foot and heel raise
What Else Can Help
Understanding what is causing your foot pain is the first step to treating it. Each foot pain diagram here is a useful visual tool for diagnosing what is wrong in your foot or ankle.
Once you have identified the cause of your problem from these foot pain diagrams, you can find out loads more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for each by using the links above.
There are other conditions that cause foot and ankle pain not seen on the foot pain diagrams here such as Trench Foot and Foot Cramps but these tend to give more general symptoms throughout the foot rather than causing pain in specific places as shown on these foot pain diagnosis charts. You can find out loads more about these in the Common Causes of Foot Pain section.
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What Is A Bunion
A bunion is a protrusion of bone or tissue around a joint. Bunions may occur at the base of the great toe or at the base of the little toe, and often occur when the joint is stressed over a period of time. Women get bunions more often than men do because they may wear tight, pointed, and confining shoes. Bunions can also be a result of arthritis, which often affects the big toe joint.
Treatment of bunions may vary depending on the pain and deformity. Treatment may include:
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Wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes
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Surgery
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Applying pads to the affected area
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Medications, such as ibuprofen
A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, develops on the big toe joint when the bones of the big toe become misaligned. It looks like a large bump on the side of the toe. The big toe angles in toward the second toe, and, in severe cases, may overlap or tuck beneath the second toe. Bunions are more common in women than in men.
What Are The Different Types Of Foot Problems
Foot pain is often caused by improper foot function. Poorly fitting shoes can worsen and, in some cases, cause foot problems. Shoes that fit properly and give good support can prevent irritation to the foot joints and skin. There are many types of foot problems that affect the heels, toes, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints of the foot.
The symptoms of foot problems may look like other medical conditions and problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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Pain On The Outside Of Your Foot Here’s What Your Body’s Trying To Tell You
From your heel to your instep, pain can happen anywhere in your foot. But when it strikes the outside of your foot, it can be especially excruciating.
Video of the Day
Lateral foot pain â which stretches along the outer edge of the foot and ankle â can make even the simplest movements a challenge.
Here, Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a New York City-based podiatrist at Step Up Footcare, explains why you might be dealing with discomfort on the outside of your foot and how to decrease the ache in your dogs.
Getting Any Tingling In Your Ankle Or Foot
Tingling, numbness, a sensation of pins and needles or any strange sensations are usually a sign that your injury involves a nerve. Tingling etc. in the ankle and feet can be caused by injuries in the lower back or the leg or in the foot/ankle. It’s best to consult a physio or other sports medicine professional if youre experiencing these type of symptoms. Theyre not necessarily more serious injuries, but they can be tricky to get better by yourself. This is also something that we can assess via video call.
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Where Does It Hurt
Take a closer look at the descriptions below to determine possible causes and solutions for your foot pain. Keep in mind that if youre dealing with one of these issues and you dont see any improvement after a week or so of self-treatment, you should make an appointment with a physical therapist or doctor for evaluation and treatment.
Causes Of Lateral Foot Pain
One of the first steps in addressing lateral foot pain is figuring out the cause of the pain in the first place.
Causes may be simple only requiring a change in footwear in order to relieve the pain. Others can be complex requiring more comprehensive solutions.
Based on our experience helping 1,000s of customers resolve their foot pain heres what weve found to be the most common cause of lateral foot pain.
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Peroneus Brevis Tendon Injury
The Peroneus Brevis tendon inserts into the 5th metatarsal bone on the outside of the forefoot. Symptoms include:
- Pain over the prominent bony part on the outside of the ball of the foot.
- Possible swelling or bruising.
- The foot will be painful to walk on.
- Pain will be made worse when attempting to turn the sole of the foot outwards against resistance.
- More on Peroneus brevis tendon strain
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
PTTD, also known as adult-acquired flatfoot, occurs when you have an injury or inflammation to the posterior tibial tendon. The posterior tibial tendon connects the inner foot to a muscle in the calf. PTTD can cause arch pain if the posterior tibial tendon is no longer able to support the arch.
With PTTD, arch pain is likely to extend along the back of the calf and inner aspect of the ankle. You may also have ankle swelling. Pain typically occurs during activities, such as running, not afterward.
You may need to wear an ankle brace or custom shoe insert to treat PTTD. Physical therapy may also help. In some cases, you may need surgery to treat the condition.
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Lateral Foot Pain Is It A Stress Fracture
IBJI
January 13, 2015 | Blog
Lateral foot pain is any pain or discomfort along the outside of the foot, and there are many conditions from a stress fracture to peroneal tendonitis or just improper footwear that may cause pain. Thats why if you have any chronic lateral foot pain, its important to not try and diagnose the injury yourself. Schedule an appointment with a physician to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for your specific condition.
Although there are many causes of lateral foot pain, in this article we are going to discuss one of the common causes for pain on the outside of the foot.
Stress Fracture
Stress fractures are very small cracks in a bone. These cracks are usually the result of repetitive force and are often described as an overuse injury. Bones in the lower leg and feet are at risk because these bones are required to bear much of your body weight when doing almost any physical activity.
Athletes in every sport from hockey to basketball that constantly using their feet to move quickly, jump or pivot and change directions suffer from stress fractures and lateral foot pain. Even non-athletes can suffer from a stress fracture from something as simple as wearing improper foot wear when exercising.
Symptoms
Feeling constant pain along the outside of the foot is the most common symptom of lateral foot pain. This pain is usually constant with activity and may decrease or completely subside when resting.
Diagnosis
Treatment
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Treatment For An Ankle Sprain
As with stress fractures, treatment for ankle sprains starts with the RICE regimen and anti-inflammatory medication. When dealing with an ankle sprain, the compression component of RICE should be gentle. Dont impede your circulation by wrapping too tightly. If the sprain isnt well on its way to complete recovery within a few days, see your podiatrist. The symptoms of the sprain may be masking an actual fracture. Some severe sprains may require surgical intervention to tighten the affected ligaments.
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The Agony Of Pain On Outer Side Of Foot
Pain on the outer edge of your foot can range from annoying to debilitating.
When the stabbing, burning, or aching is severe, it can limit your ability to stand, walk, exercise, work, or engage in some of your usual activities.
Fortunately, pain on the outer footknown by doctors as lateral foot painis not as common as other types of foot pain, including toe pain or heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, says Kenneth Hunt, MD, an orthopedist and medical director of the UCHealth Foot and Ankle Center in Denver.
But with at least a dozen different causes, correctly identifying the source of outside foot pain can be challenging.
The differential diagnosis for lateral foot pain is broad, Dr. Hunt says.
Fractures Of The 5th Metatarsal
Fractures of the 5th metatarsal are common. Two types of fracture occur in this region. One is an Avulsion Fracture which often results from an injury when the foot rolls it can occur while playing sports particularly tennis or by a misstep off a curb. A small piece of bone pulls away from the main bone by a tendon or ligament.
The other is a Jones Fracture. These fractures can occur over time through overuse or suddenly due to trauma. Because they occur in an area of the bone that gets little blood flow it can be difficult to heal.
Symptoms of a 5th metatarsal fracture can include:
- Pain and swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty walking
Your podiatrist will examine the injury and order X-rays. Just like a sprain, the initial treatment should be use of the RICE protocol . Additional treatments include a boot to prevent the foot from moving and for the Jones fracture–treatment with surgery or a bone stimulator may be required.
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What Is Foot Tendinitis
The tendons that are most likely to get tendinitis are the:
- Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel.
- Posterior tibial tendon, which attaches the inside of the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the foot.
- Peronealtendon, which attaches the outside of the calf to the outside of the foot.
Foot tendinitis is when one of these tendons becomes inflamed. When this happens, the tendon will swell and become irritated. In some cases, the tendon may harden or cause a bone spur to grow.
What Kind Of Physical Therapist Do I Need
All physical therapists are prepared through education and experience to treat people who have this condition. You may want to consider:
- A physical therapist who is experienced in treating people with orthopedic, or musculoskeletal, problems.
- A physical therapist who is a board-certified clinical specialist or who completed a residency or fellowship in orthopedic physical therapy. This physical therapist has advanced knowledge, experience, and skills that may apply to your condition.
You can find physical therapists who have these and other credentials by using Find a PT, the online tool built by the American Physical Therapy Association to help you search for physical therapists with specific clinical expertise in your geographic area.
General tips when you’re looking for a physical therapist:
- Get recommendations from family and friends or from other health care providers.
- When you contact a physical therapy clinic for an appointment, ask about the physical therapistsâ experience in helping people with this condition.
- Be prepared to describe your symptoms in as much detail as possible, and say what makes your symptoms worse.
Foot Pain That’s Anywhere Or Everywhere
Neuropathy, or nerve damage in the feet, is most often caused by diabetes. The pain can be burning, stinging, or feel like electricity. It can happen anywhere in the feet. Ask your doctor about pain relief options and ways to prevent further worsening.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints throughout your body. Almost everyone with RA gets symptoms in their feet and ankles. RA can affect the areas around your heels, the top of your feet, and the toes and the balls of your feet. Rest, ice, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen may ease your symptoms. Shoe inserts can relieve pressure from the bone in your feet.
Osteoarthritis is when the cushioning cartilage in your joints wear out. Most often, the cause is aging. But osteoarthritis also can happen from injury or if you have flat feet or very high arches. You may have trouble walking, and your joints may feel stiff and painful.
To treat it, your doctor may recommend:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Custom shoe inserts
- Braces, a cast, or a boot to keep your foot immobile until the inflammation goes down
- Physical therapy to strengthen your muscles
- Steroid shots for more severe cases
Tendinitis is inflammation and irritation of tendons, the bands attaching muscles to bones. Tendons run along all the surfaces of the foot and can cause foot pain in many different locations.
To treat it:
Rare Causes Of Bottom
Though less common, additional causes of foot pain must also be considered.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle. Many arteries, veins, tendons, and nerves that allow the foot to move in different directions run through the tarsal tunnel.
One of these nerves is the posterior tibial nerve, which is responsible for the sensations you feel on the bottom of your foot and in your toes. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the posterior tibial nerve gets compressed in the tarsal tunnel. This causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the foot.
Factors that increase your chances of developing tarsal tunnel syndrome include:
This rare autoimmune disorder can come in several different forms. The most common form in the United States is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy .
AIDP is often triggered by an infection, such as the flu or a respiratory illness. It can also be triggered by an immunization, but this is extremely rare.
As many as 40% of cases are triggered by a bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni, which causes diarrhea. It’s often found in undercooked poultry, putting people who eat it at an increased risk of campylobacter infection. GBS tends to set in a few weeks after the infection took place.
Anyone can develop GBS, but it is more common in males and adults older than 50. Your risk is also higher if you have had a recent surgery or have a preexisting autoimmune disorder.