Foot pain can develop in a variety of different ways, but oftentimes when and how discomfort develops can be a good indicator of why you’re in pain, especially if you can’t link the injury to a specific source of acute trauma. With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at some of the common times when people experience foot pain, and what the timing of their discomfort may have to say about their underlying condition.
My Foot Hurts When I Do This
Does your foot hurt when you do some of the actions below, or at certain times throughout the day? If so, here’s a look at what might be going on in your foot.
My Foot Hurts First Thing In The Morning – If your foot hurts when you take your first few steps in the morning, you could be dealing with plantar fasciitis. This condition involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue on the underside of the foot called the plantar fascia. After a night of being off your feet, the first few steps can stretch and injure an inflamed plantar fascia, causing symptoms right away in the morning.
My Foot Hurts At The End Of The Day – If your feet hurt at the end of the day, it’s not going to be as easy to pinpoint a problem. However, the underlying cause of pain may be too much stress on your feet, especially if you are wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. If you’re going to be on your feet all day, make sure your feet are in a comfortable and supportive shoe. This can help to alleviate arch problems, tendonitis and arthritis.
My Foot Hurts After Drinking Alcohol – If your foot hurts after a night of drinking, or after eating a rather unhealthy meal, the problem may be caused by gout in your foot. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in your bloodstream that can then crystallize and irritate sensitive joints in your foot. Exercise, diet modification and limiting your alcohol intake can all help to reduce or eliminate problems caused by gout.
My Foot Hurts When I Run – If your foot hurts when you’re running, a number of different issues could be causing pain, but oftentimes they are related to the amount of stress and the frequency of stress that you put on your foot. Look for other ways to exercise instead of just running, and be gradual and deliberate when increasing your distance so that you don’t overwork your feet. If you overstress your feet, injuries like tendonitis, shin splints and stress fractures can develop.
My Foot Hurts When I Lift It Off The Ground – If your foot feels uncomfortable when you pick it off the ground, or when you’re ascending or descending stairs, it could be caused by tendonitis. Damage to the Achilles tendon or the anterior tibial tendon can cause discomfort when you pick up or place your foot down. Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and controlled exercise can help to calm irritated tendons.
