Pain in arch of foot is a common problem that everyone can experience at some point in their life. The pain mostly affects athletes, especially the runner. But, people who are less active can also suffer from the problem. The occasional pain when you walk or stand for a long period of time may not indicate a problem. So, you can adopt some home remedies to eliminate the pain. The less serious reasons for the pain may subside with by massaging the foot, getting adequate rest or soaking the foot in warm water. But, if you experience pain in arch of foot frequently or the home remedies fail to work, then see a doctor. The worsening of the pain may indicate some serious foot condition. Therefore, it needs medical assistance. Without proper treatment, the condition can escalate. It can result in damage to other areas like your ankles, knees, and back. It becomes a big concern when you suffer other problems like diabetes. The pain or injury can trigger severe distress in people with high sugar levels. Therefore, you need to understand the severity of the problem and take the right steps to overcome it.
What Is Arch Of Foot?
- Bear the weight of your body
- Absorb shock
- Create a balance
- Stabilize your movement
- Help adapt to the changes in the ground
What Do You Mean By Pain In Arch Of Foot?
The arch of the foot is more susceptible to injuries and subsequent pain. The medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch, and transverse arch have different muscles and tendons to support the other bones of your foot. So, it has more chances of suffering excess stress. The mechanical factors can contribute to overloading the area. It results in pain and discomfort. Therefore, it restricts you from performing your daily activities or exercising. You can feel the pain at the heel of the foot or at the ball. Depending on the underlying issue, the pain may spread to back, hips, legs, knees or ankle. A serious problem can worsen over time and affect your walking or standing. It also triggers discomfort during the activities that involve using your feet. Therefore, you need to address the problem as soon as possible to alleviate the discomfort and agony due to the pain in arch of foot.
Causes And Symptoms Of Pain In Arch Of Foot
You can suffer from the pain in arch of foot due to sustaining injuries in the tendons, ligaments bones or the muscles. You can also suffer from the pain due to the structural issues of your feet. High arches and flat feet are a common example of structural anomalies of the feet. The structural problems can trigger more pain with the following factors:
- Aging
- Weight gain
- Physical stress
- Overuse
- Neurological conditions
Certain foot conditions can result in the development of arch pain. So, the following conditions can trigger the pain in arch of foot.
Plantar Fasciitis
The ligament that connects the front of the foot to heel is referred to as plantar fascia. It is the most common orthopedic problem reported by people around the world. It is also the number one cause of pain in arch of foot. The problem can occur due to injury, overuse or inflammation to the plantar fascia. So, the problem occurs more commonly in runners. But, in some cases, non-runners can also suffer from the problem. The following signs indicate the issue in people:
- Pain in the arch as well as heel
- The heel and arch may feel stiff
- Severe pain once you wake up
- Prolonged standing results in agony
- Physical activities leading to pain
When you experience pain in arch of foot due to plantar fasciitis, you need to wear a special type of footwear. The footwear with special designs offers support and comfort to your foot. You can seek advice from the doctor to understand the needs of your feet. Therefore, with proper help from a doctor, you can find relief for the problem.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
PTTD occurs due to inflammation or injury that affects the posterior tibial tendon. The problem also referred to as adult-acquired flat foot can result in arch pain. The posterior tibial tendon has the important function of connecting your inner foot to the calf muscle. When the posterior tibial tendon no longer supports the arch, it can result in pain. So, the problem can trigger the following signs:
- Ankle swelling
- Pain extending along the back of your calf
- Distress during activities like running
- Pain in the inner aspect of your ankle
You need to consult your doctor about the condition. The problem can solve itself when you wear customized shoe or ankle brace. At times, a more severe problem requires physical therapy to alleviate the problem. Serious problems need invasive surgery to rectify the condition and eliminate the pain.
Overpronation
Overpronation is the term that describes your foot movement when you walk. People who have a problem tend to hit the outer edge of the heel first on the ground. The rolling of the foot in the inward direction of your foot can lead to fattening of the foot. So, overpronation tends to damage the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Oy results in the conditions triggering the pain in arch of foot. The problem also causes several other issues like:
People suffering from the issue can notice extra wear on their footwear. It mostly occurs at the inside part of the shoe bottom. The wear is prominent in the ball of the foot and inside of the heel. If you suffer from the issue, you need to consult a specialist doctor. An orthopedic or podiatrist can recommend the right exercises and stretches to provide relief. You also need to use stability shoes, which corrects your steps when walking. Shoe inserts can also reduce the wear and tear of the shoe and prevent flat foot.
Cavus Foot
It refers to the condition where the foot has a very high arch. The problem occurs due to the structural anomaly, which you inherit at birth. It can also occur due to the different neurological conditions like:
- Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- If you suffer from the issue, then you can observe the following signs or symptoms:
- Pain while standing or walking
- Claw Toe
- Hammer Toe
- Foot Instability (leading to an ankle sprain)
- Calluses
Like other conditions that lead to the pain in arch of foot, you can use special shoe inserts. The orthotic inserts reduce the pain and provide you relief. You can also wear customized shoes with extra ankle support. It prevents pain and injuries for people who participate in sports activities like running. The high-topped shoes are ideal for people suffering from the cavus foot. If the condition worsens, then you need to see a doctor immediately. The severe problems rectify only with the help of invasive surgery. So, the surgery can correct the issue and provide relief from pain and other discomforts.
Diagnosis Of Pain In Arch Of Foot
When you experience pain in arch of foot, you can try some home remedies. If the home remedies do not offer any relief or the pain worsens, then you need to seek help from your doctor. Your doctor can assess your condition to find the right treatment option. So, the medical professional can adopt the following techniques to determine the underlying cause of the arch pain.
Physical Examination
The doctor can assess you properly to determine the pinpoint location causing severe pain. The doctor can ask you to demonstrate certain actions like flexing and pointing the foot. It pushes the ligaments and helps determine the exact location of pain. The doctor can also check for signs of infection and inflammation. So, the doctor checks your feet for swelling and redness. During the physical examination, the doctor also checks for your reflexes, balance, coordination and muscle tone.
X-Rays
The x-ray offers a comprehensive view of the bone and the structure of the arch of your foot. It helps to detect any structural anomalies or injuries that trigger the pain.
Sophisticated Imaging Techniques
The sophisticated imaging techniques like MRI and CT scan can provide a more detailed image of the bones and tendons. Therefore, your doctor can detect the actual problem with ease without any confusion.
Ultrasound
In some cases, your doctor can suggest an ultrasound scan to detect the problem precisely.
It is necessary to understand the actual place where you experience the problem. It is the key step to develop a precise treatment plan that will help alleviate the issue.
Home Remedies For Pain In Arch Of Foot
For simple issues, you can try the home remedies. It can provide you relief from the pain. With some minor changes in your lifestyle, you can manage the problem effectively. At times, you need to combine home remedies with medical treatment to get relief from pain in arch of foot.
Resting
It is the first line of action when you want to get relief from the pain. So, take a break from the activities that can elevate the stress on the feet. Give rest to your feet to get relief. Avoid strenuous activities like running, jumping or other sports events that can worsen the pain. Taking rest for a few days can provide relief from the pain in arch of foot.
Icing The Feet
Icing the foot can offer relief for the pain in arch of foot. You just need to place an icepack on your affected for at least ten to fifteen minutes. Keeping it twice a day can alleviate the issue.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medication
To get immediate relief from the pain in arch of foot, you can take OTC medications. The NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) can reduce the inflammation and subsequent arch pain. In most cases, taking ibuprofen can offer you relief from severe distress due to arch pain.
Avoid Unsupportive Footwear
Going barefoot or using shoes that provide no support to your feet can enhance the pain. It can only worsen the condition. You need to wear supportive shoes even at home to get relief from the pain in arch of foot. Always use footwear that offers good arch support as it can prevent injuries or other complications.
Medical Treatment For Pain In Arch Of Foot
Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor can suggest home care. If you find no improvement in the symptoms, then you need additional treatment. The treatment focusses on eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with the issue. Depending on the severity of the problem, your doctor can suggest the following:
Supportive Shoes
Your doctor can prescribe supportive shoe to offer relief from the pain. The specially designed shoes with arch supports or shoe inserts can support the arch. The customized foot orthotics can reduce the pressure on the arch and give you relief.
Night Splints
It is the specially designed braces to treat the conditions like plantar fasciitis. The special design of the splint keeps the toes pointed upwards and holds the foot in place. The position helps apply constant and gentle stretch to your plantar fascia. It also prevents Achilles tendon from contracting. So, you can use it every night until the symptoms subside.
Cortisone Injections/NSAIDs
It is the go-to treatment option to eliminate arch pain. The injections can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Though the injection or NSAIDs may not repair the damage to the arch, it offers relief from pain.
Physical Therapy
Dedicated professionals suggest exercises that can reduce the pain in arch of foot and restore your mobility. It is a powerful and cost-effective solution for pain management.
Brace Supports
It can support the arch of your foot while performing physical activities like walking, hiking or exercising. It supports your foot by providing compression that will reduce pain.
Surgery
Your doctor suggests invasive procedures to correct the structural problems that lead to arch pain. It is suggested only after the other methods fail to provide relief. So, the invasive surgery can solve issues like tendon damage that supports the arch, deformity or joint arthritis around the heel.
For the methods to have a long-lasting effect, your doctor may suggest you lose weight. It can reduce the pressure on the arch. To get relief from the pain in arch of foot, you need to avoid certain activities like high-impact sports, running, prolong activities, and strenuous physical actions that affect your feet.
Preventing Pain In Arch Of Foot
It is possible to prevent the pain in arch of foot by adopting some steps in your daily life. The simple yet effective steps can prevent pain and also stop it from returning again. So, you can try the following steps at home to overcome the agony and distress associated with the arch pain:
Ideal Footwear
You need to use footwear to provide support to your feet. Walking barefoot can affect the tendons and muscles of the feet can increase stress. Ensure you wear shoes that support your weight. The supportive shoe that comes with arch supports or shoe inserts can prevent injuries. It can also avoid stress. When you fail to wear shoes or use unsupportive footwear for a prolonged period of time, it leads to the condition leading to arch pain.
Stretching Exercise
Include the regular regime of stretching exercise in your schedule. You have to stretch your calves as well as the rest of the leg. It helps eliminate the pain in arch of foot.
Anti-Fatigue Mats
Invest in anti-fatigue mats for the welfare of your feet. It is best for people who stand in the same place for an extended period of time. The mats help reduce the stress on the feet and reduce the risk of foot pain. Women who spend more time doing dishes need to put the anti-fatigue mats on the floor of the kitchen.
Conclusion
The pain in arch of foot needs treatment to eliminate the underlying condition that results in the problem. In some cases, the root cause may not affect your health adversely. The simple problems only home care to alleviate pain and distress. But, in most cases, the arch pain signifies a serious condition that requires treatment. If you ignore it, then it can result in long-term or chronic pain. Therefore, you need to see a doctor to get the necessary treatment. You have to seek medical help when you experience pain for more than a few days. Determining the actual cause can help find a cure for the problem. So, you can lead a pain-free and happy life without any movement restriction.
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