Sudden Foot Pain

The human foot is a complex structure with 26 bones, 33 joints and an intertwining web of over 120 muscles, ligaments and nerves. Also, it serves many functions like supporting our weight, shock absorption, maintaining balance by adjusting the body to uneven places and it also serves as a lever to propel the leg forward. On an average, in a typical day, people spend about 5 hours standing and take about 8000 to 10,000 steps a day. Thus, our feet play a very important role in our life and we should take good care of them. However, foot pain is a very common problem and it is not surprising to know that about 75% of Americans experience sudden foot pain at some point in their lives.

Foot pain is experienced by a lot of people and is especially common among women due to use of high-heeled shoes as footwear. Because feet are so small in comparison to our body, the pressure exerted has a tremendous impact of each step that the feet take. The force of each step is about 50% greater than the person's body weight. Sudden foot pain generally starts in three places - the toes, forefoot or hind-foot. Toe pain usually occurs because of the pressure imposed by ill-fitting shoes. The forefoot as the name suggests is the front of the foot and the pain here usually originates in the metatarsal bones or the sesamoid bones. The pain originating in the hind-foot can extend from the heel pain across the sole, to the ball of the foot.

Causes Of Sudden Foot Pain

Shoes: If you see a pair of cute shoes in the store, it's most likely that you will buy them, no matter how uncomfortable or ill-fitting they are. This is the case with most people. Wearing the wrong kind of shoes is one of the most common and major causes for sudden pain in foot. Of course, wearing high-heeled shoes concentrates pressure on the toes and are major culprits for aggravating and causing problems in the toe area.

High Impact Exercising: Sometimes even high impact exercising causes sudden pain in foot. Exercises like strenuous aerobics or jogging for long hours can result in injuries like muscle cramps, acute knee and ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, sesamoiditis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures.

Medical Conditions: Another cause for sudden foot pain but no injury; are medical conditions. Arthritic conditions, particularly osteoarthritis and gout are also factors which cause foot pain. Other than arthritis, diabetes is also a cause for serious foot disorders. Also, high blood pressure has a major effect on the nervous and circulatory system which can cause pain, loss of sensation, tingling in the feet, infection and foot ulcers.

People Who Are At Risk

Elderly People: A study showed that more than 87% of older people report at least one major foot problem. As people age, there are a lot of changes in the foot like widening and flattening of feet and wearing down of the fat padding on the sole of the feet. In fact, foot pain is often considered the first symptom of many illnesses related to aging, such as arthritis or diabetes.

Women: Women are at a higher risk of foot pain, the most probable cause being wearing high-heeled shoes. In an American study, it was proven that 83% women in the age groups of 50 - 75 years, reported foot problems. Also 14% older disabled women reported chronic foot pain due to which they required assistance in walking.

Sportspeople and Dancers: People who engage in regular high impact exercises like sports or dancing, are at a major risk of foot pain. Especially, young athletes who exercise vigorously everyday are at a major risk of stress fractures.

Sudden foot pain should not be ignored. It is advisable to see a podiatrist, in case the pain is persistent. Also remember to pay attention to the changes in color and temperature of the feet. But most importantly, remember to wear good shoes.