Foot Bone or Joint Injury
My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk
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When is foot arch pain not Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot arch pain. The Plantar fascia connects the heel bone to the forefoot, playing a vital role in the structural integrity of the arch of the foot. However, the most common site of pain for Plantar Fasciitis is on its insertion into the heel bone and while it can provide pain in the arch of the foot, this is less common. Therefore there are several other conditions that can cause foot arch pain and we will explore these throughout this article.
Conditions that cause foot arch pain other than Plantar Fasciitis
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
The Posterior tibial Tendon is a long thin tendon that splits and attaches across the medial arch of the foot. The primary function of the Posterior Tibial Tendon is to provide stability to the foot’s arch when walking or running but if this becomes overloaded it can become inflamed and painful causing foot arch pain.
The symptoms of Posterior Tibial Tendonitis include foot arch pain first thing in the morning which is generally worse at the start if impact exercise but improves when it warms up.
Navicular Stress Fracture
The Navicular bone is a saddle-shaped bone positioned in the medial arch of the foot, playing a vital role in the transfer of weight from the back to the front of the foot when walking. Due to the position of the Navicular Bone, it has to absorb high volumes of force, making it susceptible to a stress fracture. These normally occur from impact sports such as running or jumping.
The symptoms of a Navicular Stress Fracture are often slow and progressive in nature, worsening with impact activity and improving with rest.
Accessory Navicular Syndrome
The Navicular Bone is a saddle-shaped bone in the medial arch of the foot and during childhood, this bone begins to fully form but in some cases this does not occur and it results in an additional bone. If this accessory navicular bone becomes irritated, it results in Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
The symptoms of Accessory Navicular Syndrome include pain on the arch of the foot that is worse when walking on uneven surfaces or standing for long periods of time. Physical therapy and the correct footwear are the best forms of treatment for this cause of foot arch pain.
Midfoot Arthritis
The Midfoot is the part of the foot connecting the hindfoot to the front of your foot, consisting of several bones and joints. If the cartilage in the Midfoot wears down, it can become painful and inflamed, leading to Midfoot Arthritis.
The symptoms of Midfoot Arthritis include pain in the Midfoot which is worse in the morning and with activity. There is often stiffness in the Midfoot first thing in the morning or when walking after sitting for periods.
Physiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice and we recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack before trying any of these exercises. James offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments weekly.