Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Injury, overuse or conditions causing inflammation involving any of the bones, ligaments or tendons in the foot can cause foot pain. Arthritis is a common cause of foot pain. Injury to the nerves of the feet may result in intense burning pain, numbness or tingling (peripheral neuropathy).

Some common causes of foot pain include:

  1. Achilles tendinitis
  2. Achilles tendon rupture
  3. Avulsion fracture
  4. Bone spurs
  5. Broken foot
  6. Broken toe
  7. Bunions
  8. Bursitis (joint inflammation)
  9. Corns and calluses
  10. Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
  11. Flatfeet
  12. Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid)
  13. Haglund's deformity
  14. Hammertoe and mallet toe
  15. High heels or poorly fitting shoes
  16. Ingrown toenails
  17. Metatarsalgia
  18. Morton's neuroma
  19. Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
  20. Osteomyelitis (a bone infection)
  21. Paget's disease of bone
  22. Peripheral neuropathy
  23. Plantar fasciitis
  24. Plantar warts
  25. Psoriatic arthritis
  26. Raynaud's disease
  27. Reactive arthritis
  28. Retrocalcaneal bursitis
  29. Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
  30. Septic arthritis
  31. Stress fractures
  32. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  33. Tendinitis
  34. Tumors

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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March 13, 2021

See also

  1. Slide show: 5 smart exercise choices for psoriatic arthritis
  2. Q&A with a Mayo Clinic physician: Signs your psoriatic arthritis medications may need adjusting
  3. Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)
  4. Balance your life to make things easier with psoriatic arthritis
  5. Broken foot
  6. Broken toe
  7. Buerger's disease
  8. Claudication
  9. Coping with the emotional ups and downs of psoriatic arthritis
  10. Diabetic neuropathy
  11. Diabetic neuropathy and dietary supplements
  12. Types of diabetic neuropathy
  13. Psoriatic arthritis and diet
  14. Sleep and psoriatic arthritis
  15. Fibromuscular dysplasia
  16. Flatfeet
  17. How can I manage health risks related to psoriatic arthritis?
  18. How to determine your psoriatic arthritis triggers
  19. How to find the right psoriatic arthritis support group
  20. Surgery for severe psoriatic arthritis
  21. Living better with psoriatic arthritis
  22. Maintain a healthy weight with psoriatic arthritis
  23. Managing psoriatic arthritis at work
  24. Manage stress to improve psoriatic arthritis symptoms
  25. Managing chronic pain when you have psoriatic arthritis
  26. Managing psoriatic arthritis pain
  27. Metatarsalgia
  28. Psoriatic arthritis
  29. Psoriatic arthritis and intimacy: Tips for a better relationship
  30. Psoriatic arthritis: Cold weather skin care
  31. Psoriatic arthritis: How can occupational therapy help?
  32. Sacroiliitis
  33. Coping tips for psoriatic arthritis