Causes of pain in the foot under the toes when walking

If pain in the foot occurs, you should immediately contact an orthopedist, traumatologist and rheumatologist. Many people think that foot pain can only be caused by injury or flat feet. However, pathological processes can be of inflammatory origin and develop as a result of circulatory disorders or neurological diseases. Regardless of the reason for the development of such a symptom, you should not delay consulting a doctor. It is recommended to undergo comprehensive foot treatment using MBST therapy at ArthroMedCenter.

General characteristics of the symptom

The causes of pain in the foot can be caused by orthopedic, neurological or vascular pathologies. Many diseases are accompanied by pain and impairment of all three types simultaneously. This makes diagnosis and therapeutic measures difficult.

With the development of joint diseases, neurological and vascular disorders may also appear. At the same time, nerve roots are compressed, blood vessels narrow, and blood microcirculation is disrupted. To determine the cause of foot pain, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination.

Painful sensations in the foot that appear directly during physical activity can be provoked by the following factors:

• smoking, as blood vessels narrow, blood circulation worsens;
• general or local hypothermia of the body;
• previous or recent injuries;
• infectious processes;
• wearing uncomfortable shoes, shoes or boots;
• the influence of excessive physical exertion, prolonged standing;
• excess weight;
• dehydration of the body.

A very common cause of pain is prolonged wearing of uncomfortable, ill-fitting shoes. The foot suffers equally from wearing sneakers or ballet shoes with too flat soles, as well as from high-heeled shoes.

By constantly wearing flat-soled shoes, a gradual deformation of the foot occurs, which increases the risk of developing flat feet. When wearing high-heeled shoes for a long time, deformation of the arch of the foot and toes occurs.

By contacting specialists in a timely manner, further development of the deformity can be prevented. For this, doctors prescribe special therapeutic exercises, medications to combat uric acid deposits, and massage. If the cause of pain is an injury, it is necessary to visit a traumatologist as soon as possible. Examination and treatment of the foot joints are necessary, regardless of the degree of damage.

Age-related changes

With age, pain in the legs becomes more common. They can swell and get tired even from light exertion. Age-related changes lead to deformation of the foot from the inside. In older people, the bones are fragile, the venous walls become thinner, and the immune system decreases.

The pain can be constant or temporary. Doctors usually prescribe immunostimulating drugs containing a lot of calcium and ointments. Compression garments and painkillers are also prescribed. From traditional medicine, tinctures with red pepper, juniper and other warming substances are effective.

Causes

Let's look at the main causes and diseases that can lead to painful symptoms in the foot area.

Foot pathologies

The most common causes of foot pain include pathologies and anomalies in its development. Hallux valgus deformity causes a lot of inconvenience. This disease is characterized by curvature of the ankle joints and feet, which changes the support of the heel. The fact that there is deformation is indicated by a significant distance between the heels and the foot.

The disease is characterized by a curvature of the axis of the foot, in which the middle part of the foot drops, the heel turns outward, and its edge drops. The cause of the pathology is a congenital or acquired disorder of the functions, shape or size of the bone, muscle or ligamentous apparatus.

This deformity is often accompanied by flat feet, in which the bones of the foot are displaced. The development of the disease occurs at an early age under the influence of congenital dysplasia of connective tissue elements. The following can also trigger the development of deformity:

• osteoporosis;
• rickets;
• polio;
• injuries.

The disease is caused by paralysis, deformed posture, diabetes mellitus or obesity. In adulthood, the cause may be trauma, paralysis, diabetes mellitus and sudden weight gain.

This disease is accompanied by pain in the foot during movement, when wearing incorrectly selected shoes. Additionally, tension occurs in the muscular system, and gait is disrupted. Treatment of the disease in the initial stages of development will be especially effective. Doctors prescribe special gymnastics, orthopedic shoes, massage, physiotherapeutic treatment, ozokerite, paraffin therapy. If the deformity is severe, it is eliminated through surgery.

Other foot pathologies, the development of which is accompanied by painful sensations while walking, include:

• Hyperkeratosis of the feet. It manifests itself as hardening of the skin of the foot. With this disease, skin cells divide very quickly, and the skin thickens. Cracks, hemorrhages, ulcers, and interdigital calluses occur, which manifest as severe pain while walking. The causes of this disease are different - deterioration of blood microcirculation, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus. The disease can be caused by atherosclerosis, psoriasis, as well as wearing uncomfortable shoes with the wrong size. Obesity and deformation of the foot structure also contribute to the appearance of the disease.
• Diabetic foot syndrome. It is a dangerous consequence of diabetes. The disease is fraught with amputation of the foot. When blood sugar rises, blood access to tissues worsens. The risk of skin trauma increases, and the sensitivity of neurons worsens due to high glucose levels. With any damage to the skin there is a danger of ulcers and ulcers. The most dangerous consequence is gangrene and amputation of the limb.
• Deformation of the phalanx of the fingers. It is accompanied by pain, cramps, ulcers, and chronic joint diseases.
• Bone on the thumb. Accompanied by constant pain while walking. It is often caused by bursitis or gout.

Inflammatory diseases

The motor function of the lower extremities is ensured by the general function of muscles, tendons and their membranes, ligaments, fascia, and capsules.

Let's consider the inflammatory processes that develop in soft tissues:

• tendonitis – its development is characterized by an inflammatory process in the tendon tissues;
• tenosynovitis – tissue in the tendon becomes inflamed;
• enthesitis - tendon tissue becomes inflamed at the site of attachment to the bone;
• bursitis is an acute inflammatory process in the periarticular bursa;
• plantar fasciitis – the area between the heel and foot becomes inflamed;
• arthritis, arthrosis, gout, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis are diseases of the articular system that are accompanied by an inflammatory process in the joint.

The main reasons for the development of inflammatory diseases are:

• too high static load;
• previous injuries;
• frequent tendon blockades with glucocorticosteroids;
• abnormal development of the joint;
• physical inactivity;
• deterioration of blood circulation;
• age factor.

Circulatory disorders

The most common pathological conditions include:

• Obliterating endarteritis. Accompanied by severe vasoconstriction.
• Leriche's syndrome.
• Peripheral arterial occlusion.
• Atherosclerosis.

In most cases, a diagnosis of obliterating atherosclerosis is made. It is chronic. The cause is considered to be a failure of the metabolism of lipid structures, against the background of which atherosclerotic plaques form, the walls of the arteries thicken, and the clearance between the walls of the vessels decreases. This is how ischemia develops, in which oxygen does not reach the tissues in sufficient quantities.

Osteoporosis

With the development of osteoporosis, calcium is lost in bone tissue. Often such pathological processes develop in elderly people. The causes of this disease include:

• age-related changes in joints and tissues;
• obesity;
• smoking;
• frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• physical inactivity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• poor nutrition, dysfunction of the digestive system;
• side effects of taking medications;
• previous injuries, arthritis, arthrosis.

Neurological pathologies

Polyneuropathy is accompanied by damage to small peripheral nerves, muscle rigidity, tremor, deterioration of sensitivity and paresis. The main causes of polyneuropathy are:

• High blood sugar.
• Avitaminosis.
• Toxic tissue damage.
• Past infections.
• Suffered severe injuries and surgical intervention.
• Disturbances in the functioning of the immune system.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Hormonal imbalance.

Localization of pain in the foot

If it hurts to step on your foot, then to find out the cause of this symptom, you need to determine exactly where the pain originates. Most often, the patient determines the location of the pain:

• fingers;
• sole;
• heel;
• localization is not determined.

Pain in the forefoot indicates an ingrown toenail, hallux valgus, or sesamoiditis. If it hurts to step on the foot in the heel area, then perhaps the cause is the formation of a heel spur or inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

Orthopedic doctor Andrey Sergeevich Litvinenko comments:

Plantar pain may indicate the presence of fasciitis or metatarsalgia. If your foot hurts for no reason and it is difficult to determine its location, then it is likely that we are talking about some degenerative changes in tendons or soft tissues, flat feet, tendinitis, or arthritis.

MBST therapy for foot diseases

The MBST device is used to treat diseases of the joint and musculoskeletal system. Under the influence of the installation, metabolism is restored and blood microcirculation processes are improved. This effect is due to the resonance of the magnetic field.

This method is very effective. It will prevent the consequences of the trauma from developing. You can sign up for the MBST therapy procedure at ArthroMedCenter. This technique will help you quickly get rid of foot pain.

Operation

When traditional treatment does not help, surgery is performed. The operation is prescribed for Morton's neuroma, accompanied by inflammation in the ligamentous structures, growth and proliferation of tissues. The procedure is painful.

If traumatic neuritis is detected, surgery is also performed. The disease develops quickly and can reach a chronic stage in a short time. In this case, severe pain continues until the operation, and only the surgeon can eliminate it.

Vascular pathologies of the feet often lead to pain in the soles and under the toes. Only healthy vessels can ensure the transport of nutrients found in the blood, and varicose veins limit this possibility. There is a threat not only to the legs, but also to human life.

It is better to avoid danger and use the help of vascular surgeons who are capable of performing emergency surgery themselves. The pain can be dangerous as there is a risk that it is related to medical conditions.

Prevention

It is important to be attentive to your health and pay attention to the slightest changes in the body. It is also recommended to follow simple rules:

• adjust your diet and lifestyle, add minimal exercise to your daily routine;
• if necessary, wear orthopedic insoles or shoes;
• choose the right shoe size, it should be comfortable;
• adjust your weight;
• walk barefoot more;
• perform self-massage.

Features of treatment

If your feet hurt when you walk, you probably won't need surgery. Surgery is necessary only when purulent processes are detected, as well as in cases of severe damage or deformation of joints and tendons. In other cases, conservative methods are used:

• taking medications;
• physiotherapy;
• exercise therapy;
• massage;
• diet;
• wearing orthopedic devices.

Treatment is usually long-term in nature, as its goal is to correct all changes in the anatomy of the foot caused by injury or disease. Wearing orthopedic shoes or special insoles and liners, massage and physical therapy can restore mobility and endurance of the foot. At first, if you have difficulty walking, you can use a cane. A combination of medications and physiotherapy helps:

• eliminate pain syndrome;
• eliminate inflammation and swelling;
• restore the osseous-ligamentous apparatus;
• normalize blood circulation.