Each type of foot pain is different. This chart lists the symptoms, locations, and footwear that may help.
Problem | Symptoms | Location | Helpful Footwear, Orthotics, or Padding |
---|---|---|---|
Corns and calluses | These are rough, thickened skin that is yellow or reddish. There may also be pain. | Around the side, top, or between toes; bottom of feet; or parts exposed to friction. | Wide (toe box) shoes; lamb's wool between toes; doughnut-shaped pads for corns |
Ingrown toenails | A nail that curls into the skin causing pain, redness, swelling, and warmth. There may also be infection. | Toenails | Sandals, open-toed shoes |
Bunions and bunionettes | The toes point inward. There is a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot at base of the toe that is painful and stiff. | Big toe (bunions) or little toe (bunionettes) | Soft, wide-toed shoes or sandals; bunion shields or splints; padding the bunion; shoe inserts if needed |
Morton neuroma | There is cramping and burning pain between the third and fourth toe or the second and third toe. It is worse while walking and better when shoes are taken off. | Third and fourth toes, as well as second and third toes, and bottom of foot near these toes | Wide (toe box), low-heeled shoes with good arch support; shoe inserts; padding in the shoes and/or between the toes |
Hammertoe | Toes form a hammer or claw shape. There may be pain and cramping. | The second, third, or fourth toes | Wide (toe box) shoes; straps, cushions, or pads |
Metatarsalgia | There is pain, numbness, or tingling when moving. | Ball of the foot | Wide (toe box) shoes; Shoes with a stiff heel and good arch support; orthotic with pad that eases metatarsal pressure; inserts |
Metatarsal stress fracture | Ache, tenderness, and swelling. Weight-bearing activities are hard to do. | Long foot bones (metatarsals) | Low-heeled shoes with stiff soles; shoe inserts or braces |
Sesamoiditis | Pain may happen with swelling and bruising. | Ball of foot beneath the big toe | Low-heeled shoe with soft sole and soft padding inside |
Plantar fasciitis | Pain happens with the first steps after getting out of bed. It eases after stretching and comes back after activity. | Back of the arch right in front of the heel | Shoes with thick soles and extra padding; foot insole; heel pad; night splints; orthotics if needed |
Haglund deformity (pump bump) | This is a painful, red, swollen bump. | Back of the heel | Shoes with a soft heel; backless shoes; arch supports |
Stress fracture | This is a sharp, stabbing pain that happens with activity. There may also be swelling. | Weight-bearing bones of the foot | Protective footwear; stiff-soled shoe; wooden-soled sandal |
Tarsal tunnel syndrome | This is a pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation. Pain may be worse at night. | Usually in the mid-portion of the foot and heel | Orthotics to ease pressure |
Flat feet or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) | People with this problem do not have an arch in their feet. It may cause pain with activity. | Arch | Orthotics may be needed if there is pain |
High arches (cavus feet) | This may cause pain when standing or walking or an unstable foot. | Arch | Soft orthotic cushions |
Achilles tendonitis | This pain is worse during physical activities. | Achilles tendon (the area behind the ankle near the heel bone) | Shoes with a soft heel; heel lift; walking boot |
Achilles tendinopathy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/achilles-tendinopathy. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/anterior-tarsal-tunnel-syndrome. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Foot care 101. American Podiatric Medical Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed May 5, 2020.
Foot complications. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/foot-complications. Accessed May 5, 2020.
Foot pain and problems. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/foot-pain-and-problems. Accessed May 5, 2020.
Hallux valgus and bunion. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hallux-valgus-and-bunion. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Hammer toe. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hammer-toe. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Morton neuroma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/morton-neuroma. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Pes planus. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/pes-planus-flatfoot. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Plantar fasciitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/plantar-fasciitis. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Posterior tarsal tunnel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/posterior-tarsal-tunnel-syndrome/updates. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Last reviewed February 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM