What Does Intense Pain In My Foot Mean?

Are you struggling with intense pain in your foot? Acute pain in your foot is more than just an annoyance. Intense pain in your foot means something is wrong, and it’s time to visit a podiatrist. If you are wondering what intense pain in your foot means, you need to seek medical attention in order to get a diagnosis. There are a variety of underlying causes and diseases that might be causing intense pain in your foot or feet. Perhaps you are wondering, “what intense pain in my foot means?” and how to make your feet stop hurting. In this article, we will discuss the most common underlying causes of foot pain and foot conditions that might be to blame, and ways to help you relieve foot pain. 

What Intense Pain In My Foot Means?

There are many conditions and injuries that can cause inflammation and pain in the bones, ligaments, and tendons in your feet. Perhaps you spend all day working on your feet and your feet or are simply tired, you are suffering from big toe pain,  or you are experiencing foot pain while walking. Our feet work hard for us all day long and keep us mobile. 

Common Causes of Intense Foot Pain

Some of the most common causes of intense foot pain include: 

Achilles Tendinitis 

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf muscles. Generally, Achilles tendinitis is caused by overuse and can cause intense pain. 

Bunions 

Bunions are a bony bump that develop on the outside edge of the big toe. The signs of a bunion include pain, tenderness, irritation, or swelling around your big toe joint. Bunions develop over time, so if you are experiencing swelling or discomfort in your big toe, it’s important to visit a podiatrist right away. A podiatrist can develop a treatment plan to help you ease your bunion pain. 

Diabetic Neuropathy 

If you have diabetes, you might experience extra foot pain. That’s because high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage. This affects the nerves in the feet and legs first. 

Hammertoes 

Another common cause of intense pain in your foot is a hammertoe. A hammertoe is a toe that is bent downward at the middle joint. If you have a hammertoe, it is important to see a podiatrist right away. 

Ingrown Toenails 

An ingrown toenail is exactly what it sounds like: a toenail that has grown into the skin around it. Ingrown toenails are an extremely common cause of intense foot pain. Typically, an ingrown toenail happens on the big toes, but other toes can be affected. If you have an ingrown toenail, you should see a podiatrist right away. 

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. One of the signs you might have Morton’s neuroma are pain and swelling, a burning feeling in the ball of your foot, cramped toes, pain when walking, and potentially even difficulty walking. 

Sprained or Broken Ankle

Are you suffering intense pain in your foot following a sudden injury? If you have suffered an ankle injury, you might have suffered a sprained or broken ankle. A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligament that connects bones, and a fracture is a break in the bone. One of the first signs of a fracture or sprain is swelling. 

Plantar Fasciitis 

If your intense pain is in your heel rather than your foot, it might be plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the ligament that connects your heel to your toes. If you have sharp pain near your heels after you exercise or stand up for a long time, it is most likely plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis pain can be eased by sturdy shoes with good arch support or by doing stretches to keep the area flexible. 

How to Relieve Foot Pain

If you are looking for a sore feet remedy, we have some sore feet remedies ways to help you relieve foot pain. Here are a few at-home remedies to try to help intense foot pain in your foot: 

• Draw a foot bath 
• Try some stretches 
• Practice strengthening exercises 
• Get a foot massage 
• Change your shoes 
• Ice your feet 
• Elevate your feet
• Take a pain reliever 

If none of these at-home remedies work well for you, it’s important to see a podiatrist to address your intense foot pain. 

How to Make Your Feet Stop Hurting

Here are a few ways for how to make your feet stop hurting: 

Change Your Shoes 

It’s possible that your shoes are responsible for your foot pain. If you are wearing shoes that are worn out and beyond their span, or shoes without proper arches or support (like high heels or flips) can damage your feet, and your feet can even change in size during your lifetime. (Yes, even as an adult!) Try changing your shoes to see if it eases your foot pain.  

Use the RICE Method

The RICE method for injuries is ideal if you have hurt your ankle or suffered another type of sprain or strain. Rice stands for: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest means staying off your injured foot. Then, apply ice to the affected area. Next, wrapped the injured area to prevent swelling. Finally, elevate the affected foot. 

Visit a Podiatrist

The number one way to relieve foot pain is to visit a podiatrist. Intense foot pain is one of the most common reasons to see a podiatrist. At Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois, we offer treatment including orthotics, surgery, non-invasive options, and pediatric services.

Relieve Foot Pain at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois

Take the next step toward relief from foot pain at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois. There are many myths about foot pain out there, so it is best to visit the professionals. Talk to a new patient coordinator today to book an appointment and find relief from your intense foot pain. Our podiatrists will help you determine what intense pain in your foot means.