In short
Foot pain affects nearly one in five Australian adults and is more common in women, in people over 50 and in people carrying extra weight. Where it hurts usually points to the cause: the heel, the ball of the foot, the big toe joint, the arch or the top of the foot. Shoes that do not fit are a major contributor. Most causes improve with better footwear, load changes and advice from a podiatrist or doctor.
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How common is foot pain?
Very. In a South Australian population study, 17.4 per cent of adults said they had pain, aching or stiffness in one or both feet. It was more common in women, in people aged 50 and over, in people classified as obese, and in people who also had knee, hip or back pain.1
A review of studies in middle-aged and older people found that about 24 per cent had frequent foot pain. The toes and the front of the foot were the most common sites, and two thirds of people with foot pain said it caused at least moderate difficulty with some part of daily life.2
Causes of foot pain by location
Foot pain is usually a mechanical problem: the way the foot moves, muscle imbalance, training errors or the wrong shoes.3 Where it hurts narrows it down.
| Where it hurts | Common causes |
|---|---|
| Under the heel | Plantar fasciitis. Pain on standing first thing in the morning is the classic sign3 |
| Ball of the foot | Overuse of the structures under the big toe joint, corns and calluses, or an irritated nerve between the toes3,8 |
| Big toe joint | A bunion, or gout if it is suddenly hot, red and swollen4,5 |
| Arch | Flat feet or fallen arches, where the long inner arch of the foot has lowered3 |
| Top of the foot | Extensor tendonitis, or a stress fracture |
| Outside of the foot and ankle | Peroneal tendonitis, or an ankle sprain |
Pain that keeps coming back?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Heel pain
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain under the heel. It accounts for about 10 per cent of running injuries and is also common in middle age.3 A podiatrist may prescribe an insole and check your footwear. Most people do not need injections or surgery.3
Pain in the ball of the foot
- Overuse. Pain at the base of the foot can come from overloading one of several structures, including the two small bones under the big toe joint.3
- Corns and calluses. A callus is hard, thickened skin that forms in response to pressure or friction, usually from shoes that fit badly. A corn is a concentrated area with a central core. Common sites are the ball of the foot, under the big toe and the tips of the toes.3
- Morton's neuroma. This is a thickened, irritated nerve between the toes. A review of 29 studies found that operations gave better results than other treatments, but most of the evidence came from case series, and the authors called for better trials.8
Bunions
A bunion is a bony lump on the joint of the big toe. It forms when the big toe leans towards the other toes and the joint sticks out. Over time it can change the shape of the foot and make shoes and walking painful.4
Bunions are common. Pooled figures from 76 surveys put them at 23 per cent of adults aged 18 to 65 and 35.7 per cent of people over 65, and they are more than twice as common in women as in men.6 The shape of your foot plays a part, as do joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.4
They can be managed with comfortable shoes and shoe inserts. Surgery is an option when they keep causing pain.4
Shoes matter more than people think
A review of studies that measured feet and shoes found that between 63 and 72 per cent of people were wearing shoes that did not match the width or length of their feet. Badly fitting shoes were linked to foot pain, toe deformities, corns and calluses.7
People who regularly wear narrow, tight or high-heeled shoes are more likely to develop corns and calluses.3 Older people and people with diabetes were especially likely to be in shoes that were too narrow.7
- Have both feet measured, and fit shoes to the wider and longer foot
- Check width as well as length
- Replace sports shoes before they wear out
What else helps?
- See a podiatrist. They assess how your feet and legs move, your shoes and the surfaces you train on, and can prescribe inserts for long-term pressure relief.3
- Ease the load. Cut back the activity that brings on the pain, and build up again gradually.
- Look at weight. Foot pain is more common in people carrying extra weight.1
- Treat the cause. The right treatment depends on the diagnosis, which is why pain that lingers is worth getting assessed.
If you have diabetes
People with diabetes have a greater risk of serious foot problems. They should check their feet every day for cuts, blisters, bruises or other signs of injury, wear well-fitted shoes that protect their feet, and have their feet assessed by a podiatrist at least once a year.3
When to see a doctor
- Foot pain that has not improved after a couple of weeks of easing off
- A joint that is suddenly hot, red and swollen. With a fever or feeling unwell, this is urgent5
- Pain in one spot on the bone after increasing your running or walking
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the feet
- Any wound, blister or colour change on the foot if you have diabetes
- You cannot put weight on the foot after an injury
See also ankle pain, shin splints and knee pain.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- Hill CL, Gill TK, Menz HB, et al. Prevalence and correlates of foot pain in a population-based study: the North West Adelaide health study. J Foot Ankle Res. 2008;1(1):2.
- Thomas MJ, Roddy E, Zhang W, et al. The population prevalence of foot and ankle pain in middle and old age: a systematic review. Pain. 2011;152(12):2870-2880.
- Better Health Channel. Feet: problems and treatments.
- healthdirect. Bunions.
- healthdirect. Gout.
- Nix S, Smith M, Vicenzino B. Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Foot Ankle Res. 2010;3:21.
- Buldt AK, Menz HB. Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: a systematic search and narrative review of the literature. J Foot Ankle Res. 2018;11:43.
- Valisena S, Petri GJ, Ferrero A. Treatment of Morton's neuroma: A systematic review. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(4):271-281.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.