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Causes of pain in the sole of the foot

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

” Why does the sole of my foot hurt when I walk? ” This is a persistent question whose answer includes several possible causes but must be known to treat the problem. Pain in the sole can cause us significant discomfort, making it difficult for us to walk long distances and even perform physical activity in some cases. The ache in this area can be due to several conditions; the truth is that once they occur, it is essential to go to a podiatrist or traumatologist as soon as possible to diagnose the cause of the problem and give it the attention it deserves. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will address the leading causes of pain in the sole and their respective treatments.

Pain in the sole from plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common podiatric injuries; it occurs when the plantar fascia, a tissue that connects the calcaneus with the toes, becomes inflamed due to a constant impact that causes it to be overloaded or stretched excessively.

This is one of the conditions that generate more podiatric consultations and one of the leading causes of pain in the sole. Plantar fasciitis is a more common condition in:

  • People who suffer from flat feet or very pronounced arches.
  • Those who are obese or overweight.
  • Those who do impact sports like running, especially if you do it on uneven terrain.
  • People who wear inappropriate shoes with little cushioning or poor support.
  • In those with a tight Achilles tendon.

Although this condition is more common in active men between the ages of 40 and 70, the reality is that fasciitis can occur in people of either sex who meet the conditions explained above. The symptoms of this pathology are:

  • Pain and stiffness in the sole near the heel.
  • There may also be a burning sensation in this area.
  • The pain increases in the morning when you get out of bed, after sitting or lying down for a long time, or after physical activity.

The plantar fasciitis may appear gradually, with discomfort intensifying, or suddenly occur. This condition can lead to a calcaneal spur, a bone calcification that forms in the heel area and can cause significant pain.

Fasciitis has various treatments, such as applying cold heat, the performance of specific exercises, or splints that allow the stretching of the fascia. In any case, the diagnosis and recommendation of a podiatrist or physiotherapist are required to choose the best alternatives according to each patient.

Flat feet cause pain in the arch of the foot.

Flatfoot occurs when the plantar arch is not pronounced enough due to a lack of tension on the tendons. Although it is a common condition in babies and young children that then usually disappears, some people will have flat feet all their lives; others may develop it over the years due to conditions such as the aging process that causes loss of tension tendons, due to injury or, less commonly, disease.

In general, flat feet do not cause pain, but they cause fatigue and discomfort in the soles when we walk moderate or long distances or do intense physical activity. When you step on it, you notice that your foot is completely flat and that you do not have an arch, this may be the cause of the pain in the sole, so it is recommended to visit a podiatrist.

Pain in the sole and heel from wearing inappropriate shoes

Another common cause of pain in the sole is the choice of inappropriate and uncomfortable footwear for the foot. One of the most common mistakes is selecting shoes with poor cushioning, which causes the heel and sole to suffer when walking moderate distances. In the same way, excessive heels can cause various podiatric discomforts, including pain in the sole.

In these cases, it is recommended:

  • Select comfortable and suitable shoes for our foot type with a flexible sole and adequate cushioning.
  • If you practice physical activity, you should wear appropriate footwear to support your foot and cushion it in the way it needs, especially if you opt for impact activities.
  • Avoid the abuse of heels, which can significantly affect the foot’s health.
  • Using insoles made to measure by a podiatrist can be an excellent alternative to take care of the health of our feet.

Pain in the sole when stepping from overuse injuries

These types of injuries and discomfort are common in people who are obese and overweight and also in those who run or perform impact activities frequently. It is essential to consult a podiatrist to determine the origin of the discomfort and the best solution to treat them in both cases.

In the case of being overweight, it is recommended to start a diet to lose weight that allows us to take pressure off our feet and joints.

Pain in the sole when walking due to excessive physical activity

If the pain in the sole only occurs after a day of a lot of walking or intense physical activity, the discomfort could be due to excessive exercise, especially if you do not use the proper footwear. In these cases, it is essential to choose shoes that adapt to the activities you do and visit a podiatrist to rule out any possible conditions.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts, caused by the spread of various types of viruses belonging to the family of viruses human papillomavirus HPV, are characterized by the presence of warts on the sole; depending on the kind counted, they can generate a lot of pain.

The two types of plantar warts are:

  • America wart: its contagion is related to HPV1, and it is a condition in which there is a single wart that is deep, causing a lot when it is pressed when walking or doing physical activities. Its appearance is similar to that of a callus, with a keloid ring around it; it is the most common type of plantar wart.
  • Superficial wart: consists of the accumulation of several painless warts on the sole; its formation is related to the spread of HPV2.

Other conditions that cause pain in the sole when walking

Although these are the leading causes of pain in the sole, there may be other conditions that cause discomfort at the general level of the foot, for example:

  • Suffer from arthritis .
  • Drop.
  • Juanes.
  • Calluses
  • Neuroma de Morton.
  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Discomforts derived from diabetes.

If you suspect the presence of a more complex condition or want to determine the specific cause of your discomfort, you should visit a traumatologist or podiatrist.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Causes of pain in the sole, we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, Joints and Muscles .

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