Occasional Sharp Pain In Toe
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Our feet are composed of a highly complex system of bones, ligaments, and tendons that normally work together miraculously; however, causes of foot pain can range from injury and inflammation to structural issues. Not all foot pain is serious, but you should never ignore any aches.
Sharp pain that may be worse at night Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition Sudden tingling toe accompanied by numbness or weakness on one side of the body can be a sign of stroke. Causes of sharp toe pain include medical conditions such as gout, Morton’s neuroma and diabetic neuropathy, according to Healthgrades. Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body, notes the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
In most cases, arch pain or strain develops from overuse, unsupportive shoes, weight gain or acute injury. If you feel an intense, shooting pain on the bottom of your foot between the toes and heel it’s most likely due to this condition.
Causes of Arch Pain
As you probably know, the curved, contoured area on the bottom of your feet, located between the ball of the foot and your heel, is called the arch of the foot. It consists primarily of fibrous tissues called ligaments that hold your foot bones together and connect the toes to the heel. Foot muscles and a tough tissue known as the plantar fascia are also located in the arch of the foot and assist in providing support to the foot.
Treatment & Prevention
Firstly, avoid high-heeled shoes whenever possible. Try to choose footwear with a reasonable heel, soft leather uppers, shock absorbing soles and removable foot insoles.
Some people have high arches, while others have low arches — and both affect the way your feet and legs work when you’re walking and running. But it’s not just the shape of your arch that can affect regular body mechanics and cause pain.
Check out this list of common arch pain causes below to help identify what’s leading to your foot pain:
1. Plantar Fasciitis
If you often feel a sharp, stabbing pain on the underside of your foot toward the heel, then you may have a very common condition called plantar fasciitis. The injury is characterized by pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia—the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis pain is usually worse in the morning and tends to decrease throughout the day. However, it can be triggered by long periods of standing or excess walking.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis are caused by extreme stress on the foot muscles. This can come from wearing high heeled or uncomfortable shoes, being overweight, exercising too much, and certain foot abnormalities (like flat feet or high arch foot).
2. Flat Feet
Nearly one third of people in the United States are born with flat feet (a.k.a. fallen arches). The condition is characterized by a very low or non-existent arch in the foot that results in most of the sole of the foot to touch the ground. Sometimes the aging process results in flat feet as the tendons stretch and no longer pull together properly.
Foot orthotics can usually reduce any arch pain associated flat feet. For immediate help go to http://aetrex.com/aetrex-orthotics-new for easy solutions to help get out of arch pain.
3. High Arch Foot
A high arch foot, or supinated foot, is another common foot deformity that can cause arch pain. The condition is characterized by the sole of the foot being unable to flatten while bearing weight, which can create pain in the arch of the foot as well as in the ankles, calves, knees and back. Most cases of high arch foot are present at birth, but it can be triggered by things like stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes and other medical conditions. In addition, A high arch foot often causes hammertoes, calluses, Achilles tendonitis and metatarsalgia.
4. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by compression of the tibial nerve that runs through the tarsal tunnel found along the inside of the ankle. Though it usually causes pain in the heels, ankles and lower legs, it sometimes creates a tingly, burning sensation in the arches of the feet that radiates up to the knees.
5. Foot Injury
Occasional Sharp Pain In Big Toe
Sometimes foot injuries like sprains, bone fractures and bruises can lead to arch pain. An example would be stepping on something that damages the structure of the bottom of your foot or twisting the arch of your foot. If you’ve recently experienced a foot injury and have arch pain, you should visit your doctor or podiatrist to rule out a foot sprain, bruise or bone fracture.
6. Neuromas
A neuroma is a swelling of the nerve that is typically caused by an injury, overuse of the feet or trauma. Sometimes called nerve tumors, the most common place for neuromas is in the ball of the foot. Symptoms associated with neuromas include burning pain and numbness in the toes, but in rare cases, patients can experience arch pain, as well. Common treatment for neuromas includes cortisone injections, orthotics and surgery.
7. Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints. When arthritis affects a person’s feet, he or she often makes adjustments in walking style in order to avoid pain. This can put undue stress and pressure on different parts of the feet, which can then lead to arch pain.
8. Overuse
Sometimes arch pain is simply due to overuse of the foot, whether that be walking long distances, engaging in repetitive motion of the feet for an excessive amount of time, or exercising beyond one’s current abilities. Overuse can cause muscle and tendon fatigue as well as injuries like hairline fractures, all of which can lead to arch pain.
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When to See a doctor for arch pain
If your arch pain begins to interfere with your daily routine and activities, you should seek medical attention, especially if the arch of your foot looks discolored or deformed (both of which are symptoms of an injury or bone fracture), is extremely sensitive to touch or is causing you to move and walk differently.
The good news is with a combination of education, decent footwear, rest, ice, lifestyle modifications and the right orthotic inserts, most people can expect fast initial relief from arch pain and eventual recovery from Plantar Fasciitis.
Visit source: http://www.footfiles.com/health/orthopaedics/article/whats-causing-my-foot-arch-pain
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms usually start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night.
The pain can be either constant or periodic, but usually the pain is felt equally on both sides of the body—in both hands or in both feet. Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others progress more slowly over many years.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often include:
- A sensation of wearing an invisible “glove” or “sock”
- Burning sensation or freezing pain
- Sharp, jabbing, shooting, or electric-like pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty sleeping because of feet and leg pain
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle cramping/twitching
- Difficulty walking or moving the arms
- Unusual sweating
- Abnormalities in blood pressure or pulse
Symptoms such as experiencing weakness or not being able to hold something, not knowing where your feet are, and experiencing pain that feels as if it is stabbing or burning in your limbs, can be common signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may depend on the kind of peripheral nerves that have been damaged. There are three types of peripheral nerves: motor, sensory and autonomic. Some neuropathies affect all three types of nerves, while others involve only one or two.
The majority of people, however, suffer from polyneuropathy, an umbrella term for damage involving many nerves at the same time.
Three types of peripheral nerves:
Motor nerves send impulses from the brain and spinal cord to all of the muscles in the body. This permits people to do activities like walking, catching a baseball, or moving the fingers to pick something up. Motor nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness, difficulty walking or moving the arms, cramps and spasms.
Sensory nerves send messages in the other direction—from the muscles back to the spinal cord and the brain. Special sensors in the skin and deep inside the body help people identify if an object is sharp, rough, or smooth; if it’s hot or cold; or if it’s standing still or in motion. Sensory nerve damage often results in tingling, numbness, pain, and extreme sensitivity to touch.
Occasional Stabbing Pain In Toes
Autonomic nerves control involuntary or semi-voluntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. When the autonomic nerves are damaged, a person’s heart may beat faster or slower. They may get dizzy when standing up; sweat excessively; or have difficulty sweating at all. In addition, autonomic nerve damage may result in difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, problems with urination, abnormal pupil size, and sexual dysfunction.