Why do I have pain in the middle of my foot?
October 25, 2018 • • foot pain
What Causes Middle Foot Pain?
A pyramid-like combination of bones and muscles form the middle part and arch of your foot. In addition to the navicular, cuboid and cuneiform bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves composing the middle of the foot extension to the toes, the heel, and the ankle. This is why you can feel pain in the middle of your foot when you suffer an ankle sprain, foot sprain or other foot and ankle injuries not directly impacting the center of the foot.Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia tissue connects the heel bone to the toes. A strained or torn plantar fascia causes sharp, intense pain along the bottom of the foot and may interfere with the ability to bend toes up and down. Plantar fasciitis may result from wearing thin-soled shoes, having flat feet or high arches or adopting unusual foot or walking positions due to debilitating ankle, knee or hip joint conditions.Achilles Tendonitis
A strong band of tissue attaching calf muscles to the heel bone, the Achilles tendon also supports ankle and foot movement. The Achilles tendon allows you to walk, jump, run and stand upright on the “balls” of your feet. Intense, repetitive physical activity such as jumping and running may inflame the tendon and produce pain and soreness. Pain from “insertional” Achilles tendonitis affects the heel while “non-insertional” Achilles tendonitis causes pain in the middle of the feet.Broken Foot
Fracturing one or more of the five small bones making up your midfoot will cause swelling, severe pain and inability to put pressure on the foot. However, you may feel pain in the arch or throughout your foot if you break a toe or the heel pain since all foot nerves, muscles and ligaments are intricately connected. More children than adults suffer a broken foot. In adults, ligaments and tendons are not as strong as foot bones. Alternately, children have stronger tendons and ligaments than adults.Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The tibial nerve extends through a canal comprising part of your ankle bone and the ligaments stretching across your foot. When this canal (tunnel) becomes inflamed due to injury, arthritis or an abnormally shaped foot, a podiatrist may diagnose tarsal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of TTS include shooting pains and tingling and numbing in the heel and middle of the foot.Ankle Sprain or Foot Sprain
Sprains are injuries to ligaments, or tissues connecting multiple bones at one joint. Pain due to a foot sprain or ankle sprain means ligaments have been stretched or torn causing inflammation and sometimes swelling. Running, jumping or landing hard on your foot are common reasons for suffering sprains.Tips for Avoiding Foot and Ankle Injuries
- Wear athletic shoes meant to support your ankles and feet while jogging or exercising
- Avoid going barefoot for extended periods. Not wearing shoes puts a strain on feet and ankle anatomy
- Avoid walking or running on uneven ground or pavement
- Wearing flat shoes frequently could promote stress fractures, tendonitis and heel pain
