Foot pain: what causes it, what helps and which specialist to see?

What causes foot pain?

Pain in the sole of the foot is most often caused by exercise such as running or by shoes that are too tight ^[1][2]. Pain on the top of the foot is also usually linked to exercise that involves running, kicking or jumping; tight shoes and some conditions such as gout can cause it as well ^[3].

Foot pain is not always a sign of strain: arthritis, gout, sciatica and nerve or blood-vessel damage related to diabetes can also cause pain in the foot ^[2][3][6].

Where the pain is and the symptoms that come with it point to the likely cause; even so, do not try to work out the cause yourself ^[1][3].

Pain in the sole and heel

Pain in the sole of the foot often gets better within a few weeks ^[1]. A lack of vitamin D or calcium can also cause it, especially in children ^[1]. Plantar fasciitis (heel spur) and flat feet are described in separate articles on this site.

Depending on the symptoms, the main possible causes are ^[1]:

• Sharp pain between the heel and the arch that is worse when you start walking and eases with rest: plantar fasciitis
• No gap (arch) under the foot when standing, with the sole pressing flat on the floor: flat feet
• Hard skin with a black dot under it that hurts when pressed: a verruca

Painful corns and calluses on the sole

Corns and calluses are areas of hard, thickened skin that can be painful; they appear as small lumps of hard skin or as larger patches of rough, thick skin ^[4]. They are caused by pressure or rubbing; high heels and shoes that are the wrong size are among the causes ^[4].

Wide shoes with a low heel and a soft sole, cushioned socks and soft insoles are recommended ^[4]. The hard skin can be softened in warm water, thinned regularly with a pumice stone or a foot file, and kept soft with a moisturiser ^[4]. Do not try to cut corns or calluses off yourself; a pharmacist can be asked about products that can be used ^[4].

People who have diabetes, problems with their circulation or a weakened immune system, and older people, should not treat corns and calluses themselves ^[4]. See a doctor if you have one of these conditions, if the area bleeds or has a discharge, if the pain is severe, or if there is no improvement after three weeks of care at home ^[4].

Pain in the ball of the foot: metatarsalgia and Morton's neuroma

Pain in the front part of the sole, under the base of the toes (the ball of the foot), is called metatarsalgia ^[2]. It is most often caused by exercise such as running, by tight shoes or by a condition such as arthritis; hard or cracked skin and a verruca can also cause this type of pain ^[2].

Depending on the symptoms, the possible causes are ^[2]:

• Sharp, burning or shooting pain near the toes, with a feeling of a lump or a small stone under the foot: Morton's neuroma
• Redness and swelling with a dull, aching pain: bursitis
• A hard bony lump near the big toe: a bunion (hallux valgus)

Pain and swelling on the top of the foot

Pain on the top of the foot usually gets better within a few weeks ^[3]. Ankle sprains, ankle fractures and rupture of the Achilles tendon are covered in separate articles on this site.

One cause of pain with swelling on the top of the foot is a stress fracture: a small crack in a bone, or severe bruising within a bone, most often caused by overuse and repetitive activity ^[5]. The pain develops gradually, gets worse during weight-bearing activity and goes away with rest; there may be swelling on the top of the foot and tenderness over the bone ^[5]. It is often difficult to see on an X-ray at first; healing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, and if the pain is ignored the bone may break completely ^[5].

Depending on the symptoms, the other possible causes are ^[3]:

• Pain, swelling and bruising that started after intense or repetitive exercise: a sprain or strain
• Severe pain, swelling, bruising and limited ability to move the foot: a fracture of a bone in the foot
• Pain, swelling and stiffness that last a long time, a grating or crackling sensation when the foot is moved, a lump along a tendon: tendonitis or osteoarthritis
• Red, hot, swollen skin, sudden or severe pain when anything touches the foot, pain that usually starts near the base of the big toe: gout
• Tingling, numbness or pain in the top of the foot that may extend up the back of the leg to the buttock: sciatica, which is assessed by the relevant specialty

Pain at the big-toe joint

A hard bony lump near the big toe suggests a bunion (hallux valgus) ^[2]; the choice of shoes and when surgery is considered are described in a separate article on this site. Ingrown toenails are also covered in a separate article.

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain; it usually affects the big toe, the skin over the joint becomes hot, swollen and red, and attacks are usually treated with medicines ^[3][7].

Burning and tingling in the sole, and diabetes

Burning pain near the toes can occur with Morton's neuroma ^[1][2].

In diabetes, blood sugar that stays high over a long period can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in the feet; with nerve damage, feeling in the feet can be lost (peripheral neuropathy), the damaged blood vessels reduce the blood supply to the feet, and cuts and sores can become harder to heal ^[6].

In diabetes, tingling, burning pain, loss of feeling, cuts or sores that do not heal and cramp in the calves call for a visit to a doctor ^[6]. If you have diabetes, see a doctor about foot pain; foot problems can be more serious in this condition ^[1][2][3]. If you notice a new cut or blister on your foot, contact your doctor straight away ^[6]. Complaints related to the nerves or the circulation are assessed by the relevant specialties.

Which specialty to see, and what helps at home?

Pain in the foot and ankle is assessed by the orthopaedics and traumatology department. See a doctor if the pain is stopping you doing your normal activities, is getting worse or keeps coming back, or has not improved after two weeks of care at home ^[1][2][3].

If a painkiller is needed, a pharmacist or doctor can be asked which one is suitable ^[1]. The following are recommended at home to ease the pain ^[1][2][3]:

• Resting the foot and keeping it raised whenever you can
• An ice pack wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
• Wearing shoes with plenty of room for the toes, a low heel and a soft sole, with soft insoles or pads inside them; avoiding high heels and tight, pointed shoes
• Regular gentle stretching exercises for the foot and ankle
• Stopping the sport or activity that you think is causing the pain; not standing or walking for long periods
• Trying to lose weight if you are overweight

When not to wait

In the following situations seek care without waiting ^[1][2][3][6]:

• Severe pain in the foot, or feeling faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
• You cannot walk
• The foot has changed shape or is at an odd angle
• A snapping, grinding or popping noise heard at the time of an injury
• You think you may have broken your foot or a toe; do not try to treat it yourself
• The foot is hot and swollen, or foot pain comes with a very high temperature or shivering
• Tingling, loss of feeling or weakness in the foot
• You have diabetes and your foot hurts, or you have noticed a new cut or blister on your foot

Sources

1. Pain in the bottom of the foot. NHS (nhs.uk), 2025. nhs.uk
2. Pain in the ball of the foot. NHS (nhs.uk), 2025. nhs.uk
3. Pain in the top of the foot. NHS (nhs.uk), 2025. nhs.uk
4. Corns and calluses. NHS (nhs.uk), 2026. nhs.uk
5. Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), n.d.. orthoinfo.org
6. Diabetes and feet. Diabetes UK, 2024. diabetes.org.uk
7. Gout. NHS (nhs.uk), 2023. nhs.uk