Pain in the sole of the foot
causes
A number of different diseases can cause pain in the soles of the feet. However, only a few diseases express themselves exclusively as pain on the sole of the foot. These include the so-called Plantar fasciitis as well as the rear Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Both diseases cause severe pain in the affected person, which is noticeable on the soles of the feet.
In the Plantar fasciitis it is a relatively common disease that the Tendon plate on the heel concerns. In plantar fasciitis, this tendon plate is due to a overload the structure inflamed and caused Pain. Different factors such as Obesity or one shortened leg muscles, can be the emergence of such Inflammation of the tendon plate favor.
The so-called rear one Tarsal tunnel syndrome it is a compression of a certain annoy in the area of the foot: the Tibial nerve. Especially after injuries in the area of the Ankle joint such compression of the nerve can occur. In many cases, however, no specific cause for the occurrence of the syndrome can be found. Through the Compression of the nerve, which is responsible, among other things, for the sensitive supply of the sole of the foot, this syndrome occurs in the area of the sole of the foot severe pain and possibly too sensitive failures.
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Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by diseases of the foot. In some cases, the cause of the foot discomfort cannot be identified at first.
Therefore, the treatment of the foot (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of foot diseases.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
There are a number of other diseases that can trigger pain symptoms in the area of the soles of the feet. Usually, however, other symptoms occur in addition to the pain, which can usually limit the various causes.
For example, a heel spur can cause severe pain when stepping on it. This is the phenomenon that new bone forms on the heel bone and can cause severe pain there.
A lack of vitamins can also cause pain on the soles of the feet. The clinical picture of a so-called Burning Feet Syndrome is caused by a lack of vitamins, but hardly occurs in the developed world. Symptoms caused by misalignment of the feet are more common. Flat and bent feet in particular can cause pain. If such misalignments of the feet are recognized early, remedial measures can usually be found quickly so that the symptoms of the painful soles of the feet disappear relatively quickly.
Skin diseases can also cause pain on the soles of the feet. The skin on the soles of the feet should be examined for warts, as these can also trigger pain. Rare skin diseases such as erythromelalgia can also lead to a burning sensation on the soles of the feet.
Ultimately, of course, inflammation, which either due to a bacterial infection in the foot, as often occurs in the context of the diabetic foot syndrome, or rheumatic processes in the joints of the foot, can lead to pain on the sole of the foot.
In addition to the causes described, there are a number of other diseases that can also cause symptoms on the soles of the feet. However, these are usually rare or can be traced back to a specific injury.
In children and adolescents, pain, which is mainly localized in the heel, can also arise as part of calcaneal apophysitis.
If the cause is not banal and obvious and the pain shows no improvement after a few days, a doctor should be consulted in any case, who can determine the cause. Only with a correct diagnosis can therapy be initiated that effectively combat the pain and at the same time treat the cause of the disease.
Figure pain ankle
Foot pain
- Achilles tendonitis /
Achilles tendon rupture - Broken bones - toes,
Metatarsus, tarsus
(here outer ankle fracture) - Ligament stretch / torn ligament
at the ankle - Lower and upper heel spurs
Calcaneus spur - Hammer toe and claw toe
(Deformities of the toe bones)
Digitus malleus - Plantar warts
Verrucae plantares - Hallux valgus -
(Deviation of the big toe
in the base joint) - Hallux rigidus -
(Joint wear of the
Metatarsophalangeal joint) - Inflamed nails / nail fungus
- Osteoarthritis / arthritis -
degenerative change of
Joints / inflammation of the joints
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
More symptoms
Only a few diseases express themselves exclusively in pain on the sole of the foot. Usually other symptoms also occur in the affected region, which can give an indication of the cause of the underlying disease.
The pain felt can also be very different from person to person. So pain is not always pain. It is important to distinguish between the so-called pain qualities. A distinction must be made between stabbing, dull, pressing, light or burning pain. The quality of the pain can usually provide the treating doctor with an indication of the type of illness.
Also read: Burning soles of the feet - everything important
It is also important to discuss when the pain occurs. Pain that is only perceptible when it occurs can be an indication of a wart or heel spur. Pain that also occurs at rest suggests other diseases.
Finally, it is important to discuss whether there are other symptoms associated with the condition. Symptoms such as swelling, redness, or particularly warm skin on the affected area can be an indication of an inflammatory process.
Pain associated with sensory or motor deficits in the foot usually indicates a neurological problem. For example, pain together with reduced sensitivity in the foot can be a sign of the presence of a posterior tarsal tunnel syndrome.
therapy
Therapy for pain in the sole of the foot is principally based on the underlying disease. So can Pain medication how NSAIDS while relieving the symptom of the pain, they usually do not eliminate the disease that caused the pain. Before starting therapy, the correct diagnosis is made by a doctor.
The diseases in question are treated with a wide variety of methods after the diagnosis. For almost all diseases that cause pain in the sole of the foot, one is recommended first Protection of the affected area. For example, this is the first step with an existing one Plantar fasciitis the Protection of the affected foot. Since the disease is a reaction to overstressing the tendon, it should initially no longer be stressed. Risk factors such as exercising certain sports should avoided and possibly a long-term Weight reduction be sought.
The attending physician should be one posterior tarsal tunnel syndrome determine is first with a conservative therapy began. In most cases this means the installation of orthopedic insolesthat promise an improvement in symptoms. If conservative therapy is unsuccessful, a Tarsal tunnel syndrome can also be treated surgically.
With a painful one Heel spur can, in addition to an adequate Pain therapy through medication, one discharge of the foot, Cold therapies, and physiotherapy help. In some cases it is also necessary to operate on and close a heel spur remove.
Inflammatory Processes, which in addition to Pain also Redness, swelling and warmth trigger on the affected area should be treated adequately as soon as possible. Bacterial Infections should be treated with antibiotics, whereas for degenerative diseases drugs like Cortisone may relieve symptoms. At Warts, which often occur on the sole of the foot, can be a so-called icing the warts get better quickly.
Misalignments of the feet can with orthopedic insoles are cared for, which can also improve their position in the long term. In particularly severe cases, it may also be advisable to have a surgery and to correct the position intraoperatively. Individual therapy options for malpositions of the feet should be discussed with the treating specialist in orthopedics.
Should chronic pain the soles of the feet exist, different therapy concepts come into question. It is recommended to consult a specialist who is familiar with the treatment of chronic pain.
Tape
The use of a kinesio tape can help treat plantar fasciitis. The elastic tapes are stuck to the skin and create tension in the skin, tendons and muscles. The tension promotes blood circulation and thus increases the ability to regenerate. The tape also reduces pain and tension. The tapes can be worn day and night as well as during sports. They also provide additional stability in the ankle.
Read more on the subject at: Kinesio tape
diagnosis
The diagnosis of pain in the sole of the foot can be very different. Any proper diagnosis, however, begins with discussing the patient's history, too anamnese called. Here special attention is paid to the acute Symptoms and their qualities, as well as any existing pre-existing conditions and the ones taken Medication placed. Even when taking the anamnesis, a number of diseases can usually be ruled out, or an idea emerges as to which diseases may be causing the symptoms.
After the thorough anamnesis, one follows physical examination. Here the attending physician will apply the skin surface of the affected area irregularities, Redness such as Swelling examine. The mobility of the foot can also provide an indication of the underlying disease. In order to be able to exclude neurological causes, the Sensitivity on the sole of the foot getting tested.
If such a simple physical examination, together with the patient's history, could not provide a clear diagnosis, modern diagnostic tools usually follow. So can imaging tests like performing one MRIs, CTs, roentgen or Ultrasonicto be carried out depending on the individual situation. So must in order to diagnose any present Heel spur to be able to clearly set one roentgen be performed. On the image created in this process, the Bony prominence can usually be recognized beyond doubt.
Prophylaxis and Risk Factors
Depending on the underlying disease that is responsible for the pain in the sole of the foot, there are a number of different risk factors for the development of pain in the sole of the foot. Since a number of the possible diseases that are possible for the symptoms, from one Overloading different structures can be caused, the risk factors overlap to that effect.
So is special Obesity a major risk factor for the development of pain. Since being overweight is also a risk factor for a number of other diseases that can also affect the soles of the feet, such as Type II diabetes mellitus, a reduction in weight helps in avoiding multiple diseases.
But also certain sports such as basketball, volleyball or Handballwhich with quick sprints and quick stops put a lot of stress on the structures of the foot. Also the Shortening of the calf muscles plays a crucial role in the development of some diseases of the sole of the foot. Here can frequent stretching help reduce the occurrence of pain in the sole of the foot.
forecast
The number of different diseases which can be responsible for the pain in the sole of the foot makes it impossible to give a general prognosis for pain in the sole of the foot. So pain caused by Warts arise after the cold treatment of the Warts may be gone, whereas the therapy in one diabetic foot syndrome Can last for weeks.
Nevertheless, in most diseases that lead to pain in the soles of the feet, the Forecast favorable is. In most cases, it takes a few weeks for the patient to completely heal and thus also to be pain-free without medication, but in most cases no permanent damage remains.
Pain, Which last over 6 months and thus as chronic pain class have a worse prognosis. But here, too, different therapeutic approaches can help, at least one Pain reduction to obtain.
In any case, the soles of the feet should be in pain consulted a doctor should be so therapy as early as possible can be initiated. In almost all cases, the earlier a diagnosis is made and therapy is started, the better the prognosis for a complete, symptom-free healing.
How do I recognize plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a layer of connective tissue, the function of which is to guide the muscle tendons of the foot and to build up the stability of the transverse and longitudinal arches. With a fascitis there is chronic irritation of this fascia, which results in pain in the foot area. Runners and people who have to stand a lot at work are particularly affected. The pain manifests itself mainly on the inner side of the sole of the foot up to the heel, which is particularly evident after long periods of rest when under stress. Patients often report pain when lifting their feet. To reduce pain, the affected patients often walk on their toes, as pressure on the heel causes severe pain.
Read more on the subject at: Inflammation of the plantar tendon
Can stretching exercises help?
Stretching exercises can help reduce muscle shortening and increase stability in the ankle and plantar fascia. Stretching exercises also relieve tension and increase the ability to regenerate.
If there is already pain in the sole of the foot, the foot can be rolled on a table tennis ball or a similar ball for 2-3 minutes. This loosens the fascia on the sole of the foot. Tightening the toes can also cause the sole of the foot to stretch. Using a terraband or seeing a physiotherapist can also help you find the right exercises for a plantar fascia.
