Serious Problems That Sore Feet Can Indicate

Heel Pain

If you experience a sharp pain in the bottom of the heel when you stand up from a sitting position, you may have plantar fasciitis, inflammation where the long ligament in the foot attaches to the heel bone, which supports the arch of your foot. The pain may be at its peak when you first wake up and put pressure on the affected foot. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by frequently wearing flip-flops, wearing shoes that are too tight or shoes that no longer have proper support. The injury will persist and take longer to heal, the longer you abuse your feet. To prevent it, make sure to wear supportive shoes and do some stretching before and after workouts.

Tendonitis, arthritis, excessive exercise, and poorly fitted shoes with little support in the heel can also cause heel pain to develop, and less common causes include a bone spur on the bottom of the heel, a fracture, a tumor, or a bone infection.

Uncover the next foot condition that can indicate a bigger health problem now.

An Enlarged, Painful Big Toe

A painful big toe is a sign that you may have gout, which is a form of arthritis specifically affecting the joint in the big toe that can also cause redness and swelling. It occurs from eating too much steak, wine or any food that is high in purine. Other foods to not overindulge in include fish and some kinds of alcohol. An attack of gout occurs with uric acid level rising, which is usually excreted through urine. Gout is extremely painful and will likely require anti-inflammatory medications to treat it. For long-term prevention, a doctor will usually suggest a low-purine diet.

Other causes of big toe pain include osteoarthritis and turf toe. If the joint in the big toe is rigid, it could also be hallux rigidus, a common complication of arthritis where a bone spur develops, and turf toes is an injury many athletes experience, especially those who play on hard surfaces.

Next, discover why you may be experiencing a burning sensation in your feet.