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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. Foot Pain

Condition: Foot Pain

Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. No wonder a lot of things can go wrong. Here are a few common problems:

  • Bunions - hard, painful bumps on the big toe joint
  • Corns and calluses - thickened skin from friction or pressure
  • Plantar warts - warts on the soles of your feet
  • Fallen arches - also called flat feet

Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/footinjuriesanddisorders.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Pain

What is pain?

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen, chest, or pelvis, or you may feel it all over.

Pain can help alert you that there is a problem. If you never felt pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Finding out what's causing your pain will help your health care provider determine the best way to manage or treat it.

What are the types of pain?

Patterns and types of pain are named based on how long and how often you have pain. These include:

  • Acute pain usually happens suddenly because of a disease, injury, or inflammation (irritation, redness, and/or swelling). This type of pain is often sharp and acts as a warning that something is wrong. It usually goes away when the cause is treated or healed, though sometimes it can turn into chronic pain. Some examples of causes of acute pain include broken bones or dental issues.
  • Chronic pain lasts for longer than three months or the time in which you should have healed. It can affect all aspects of daily life, including your mood and relationships. Some conditions that might cause chronic pain include arthritis or back problems.
  • Episodic pain can happen from time to time and may occur with long-term medical conditions. Some conditions that might cause episodic pain include sickle cell disease or chronic migraines.

Pain may also be categorized by what is likely to be the cause of the pain. Pain may be described as nociceptive (caused by tissue damage or inflammation), neuropathic (caused by nerve damage), or nociplastic (caused by changes in how your nervous system processes pain).

What causes pain?

Understanding what causes pain and why people feel it differently may be difficult. Often, it's easier to find the cause of acute pain due to an injury than the cause of chronic pain, or you may have an ongoing cause of pain, such as cancer.

In some cases, there is no clear cause. Environmental factors and psychological factors such as stress and beliefs about pain may affect the way you feel pain and respond to treatment.

How is pain diagnosed?

You are the only one who knows how your pain feels. Your provider can best measure your pain by how you report it. They may ask you:

  • Where is the pain in your body?
  • How long have you had the pain?
  • How does the pain feel, such as stinging, burning, or sharp?
  • How often do you have pain?
  • When do you feel pain, such as in the morning, evening, or all the time?
  • What relieves the pain?
  • How does pain affect your daily life?
  • Is the pain mild, moderate, or severe?
  • To rate the pain on a scale.

If the cause of your pain is unknown, your provider may also do a physical exam and order blood tests or other medical tests to help find the cause.

What are the treatments for pain?

Pain is not always curable, but there are many ways to manage and treat it. Treatment depends on the cause and type of pain. Treatments may include medicines, such as pain relievers. There are also non-drug treatments, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Depending on the cause of your pain and your symptoms, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes. These may include suggestions for:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Adding exercise
  • Losing weight
  • Managing stress
  • Improving mental health

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/pain.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Toe Injuries and Disorders

Fourteen of the 26 bones in your feet are in your toes. The toes, particularly your big toe, help you move and keep your balance. Playing sports, running, stubbing your toe, and dropping something on your foot can damage your toes. Wearing shoes that are too loose or too tight can also cause toe problems. Certain diseases, such as severe arthritis, can cause toe problems and pain. Gout often causes pain in the big toe.

Common toe problems include :

  • Corns and bunions
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains and dislocations
  • Fractures (broken bones)

Treatments for toe injuries and disorders vary. They might include shoe inserts or special shoes, padding, taping, medicines, rest, and in severe cases, surgery.

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/toeinjuriesanddisorders.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Contents

  • Resources
  • Treatments & Procedures
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Resources Related to Foot Pain

Are There Nonsurgical Treatments for Foot and Ankle Problems? (Video)

Foot and ankle injuries can be devastating, but with the right treatment, many patients get back to normal activity without surgery. Dr. Rob Martin explains.

Watch the Video

Treatments and Procedures Related to Foot Pain

UAMS Health providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Ankle and Foot Tendon Repair
  • Immobilization

Providers Diagnosing or Treating Foot Pain

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Foot Pain. Review each provider for availability.

Filter the Providers


Lauren A. Byers, CNP

Lauren A. Byers, CNP Nurse Practitioner

View Profile
Navin R. Kilambi, M.D.

Navin R. Kilambi, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Robert D. Martin, M.D.

Robert D. Martin, M.D. Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

View Profile
Chelsea S. Mathews, M.D.

Chelsea S. Mathews, M.D. Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

View Profile
Kathryn L. Nance, M.D.

Kathryn L. Nance, M.D. Sports Medicine Specialist

View Profile
Lawrence K. 'Larry' O'Malley II, M.D.

Lawrence K. "Larry" O'Malley II, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Sean G. Parham, M.D.

Sean G. Parham, M.D. Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

View Profile
Erika A. Petersen, M.D.

Erika A. Petersen, M.D. Neurosurgeon

View Profile
Ramon C. Ylanan, M.D.

Ramon C. Ylanan, M.D. Sports Medicine Specialist

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat Foot Pain

Note that the treatment of Foot Pain may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

Filter the Locations


Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock exterior

Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock

4261 Stockton Drive
Stockton Medical Plaza
Suite 100
North Little Rock, AR 72117

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-526-5451
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Clinic exterior

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Fayetteville

201 W. Van Asche Loop
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
479-966-4491
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Lowell

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Lowell

507 W. Monroe Ave.
Suite A
Lowell, AR 72745

Appointment Phone Number
479-334-7030
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Orthopaedic Clinic on Shackleford

Orthopaedic Clinic on Shackleford

2 Shackleford West Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72211

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-614-2663
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Foot Pain

Male runner touching foot in pain due to sprained ankle.

Foot and Ankle Orthopaedics (Part of Orthopaedics)

The fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons at UAMS Health provide comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions and injuries that affect the

View Area of Expertise
Doctor and patient using digital tablet in hospital

Neurosurgery

Our neurosurgeons perform research, multiple clinical trials and are the leaders for simple and complex surgeries not available at other centers in Arkansas.

View Area of Expertise
Doctor helping a patient with shoulder pain

Orthopaedics

UAMS Health is recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in orthopaedics.

View Area of Expertise
Image of a young male physiotherapist helping a mature male patient with movement exercises at a clinic.

Sports Medicine (Part of Orthopaedics)

From the beginner to the weekend warrior or senior athlete, all skill levels can benefit from our services to help you heal and get back to your activities.

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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