Tell Me Where It Hurts

The meaning of pain in specific areas of your feet and ankles

It happens to all of us: we’re walking, exercising, or doing something else we’ve done a thousand times, and suddenly we feel a pain. This is new, we think, hoping it will just go away. But if the pain persists, it’s important to figure out what the issue is.

If this new pain is in your feet, chances are you can’t easily ignore it. Learn about some common foot ailments and what you can do about them:

The bottom of your heel

If the pain is sharp, it could be plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the ligament supporting your arch is strained. This can be the result of different things, including wearing shoes that don’t fit well, being overweight, having high arches, or being on your feet for long stretches.

The back of the ankle

Pain in this area is generally one of two things. If you do a lot of running or other physical activities, it could be Achilles tendonitis, which usually starts as a dull ache in the back of the leg or heel and may lead to stiffness or tenderness.

The second culprit could be bursitis. A bursa providing cushioning in the ankle where the Achilles tendon links to the calf muscles in the heel bone, and excessive walking or running can cause the bursa to become inflamed.

Under your heel

If you have noticed a small growth under your heel, it could be a heel spur. This happens when calcium builds up under the heel bone. Common with athletes and people who do a lot of running, heel spurs are typically caused by straining foot muscles or ligaments and the constant tearing of the membrane covering the heel bone.

The middle of your foot

When you experience consistent pain in the middle of your foot, the issue could be fallen arches, also known as flat feet. This could be something you were born with or it may have resulted from a stretched or torn tendon, a broken bone, or rheumatoid arthritis.

The back of the heel

If the back of your heel is hurting, it may be due to Haglund’s deformity, which is an abnormality concerning the foot bone and soft tissues. Brought on when the bony part of the heel becomes enlarged, this can become particularly painful when wearing tight shoes.

Now that you may know why your feet are hurting you, it’s time get things fixed. To make an appointment to see the leading podiatric practitioner in Broward County, get in touch with office of Dr. Nina Coletta. She’ll diagnose the problem and create an effective treatment plan. Call us at 954-452-4590 or just fill out our online contact form.