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By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy Pain on the outside of the foot is a common problem. The pain may be on the inner side of the foot (medial foot pain) or on the outer side (lateral foot pain). Symptoms may have come on gradually over time, or developed suddenly with an injury. Thinking about the location and onset of side foot pain can give us a good indication of what the problem is. So let's have a look at the most common causes of pain on the side of the foot. Ankle SprainLigament tears account for 85% of all ankle injuries and are the most common cause of pain on the outside of the foot. Cause: Rolling over on ankle Symptoms: Side foot pain, swelling, bruising, instability Full Article: Ligament Sprains Cuboid SyndromeCuboid bone shifts out of position, subluxes. Often goes undiagnosed causing ongoing pain. Cause: Inversion injury (ankle sprain) or repetitive strain Symptoms: Pain on outside of foot, worse in the morning or when when walking/running esp. on uneven ground Full Article: Cuboid Syndrome Peroneal TendonitisRepetitive tension through the peroneal tendons causes inflammation & degeneration. Cause: Frequent overuse e.g. long distance running, abnormal foot position, muscle imbalance, ankle injury Symptoms: Gradual onset lateral foot pain, worse with activity, hurts to twist foot Full Article: Peroneal Tendonitis Stress Fractures
Small break in one of the foot bones that if left untreated can cause long-term problems. Cause: Repetitive overloading in sports, running and jumping, sudden increase in activity Symptoms: Progressive pain, worse with activity, localised swelling, tenderness Full Article: Foot Stress Fractures Foot BunionsBunions are a common cause of deformity and pain at the big toe, aka hallux valgus, or little toe, aka bunionette Cause: Genetics, tight-fitting shoes with pointed toes or high heels, flat feet, arthritis Symptoms: Big toe rotates inwards, increasing pain and deformity, toes may end up crossing-over each other, redness Full Article: Bunions & Bunionettes Foot Corns & CallusesCorns & calluses are thick, hard, raised areas of skin that frequently develop on the side of the feet and toes Cause: Excessive friction on the skin from tight shoes, foot deformities, aging Symptoms: Callus - thick, hardened skin, usually painless. Corns - small, circular areas raised skin, yellow/white, painful Full Article: Corns & Calluses Posterior Tibial TendonitisIrritation and inflammation of posterior tibial tendon which supports the inner foot arch Cause: Repetitive overuse e.g. running, jumping or injury Symptoms: Pain on the inner side of the ankle and foot, worse with activity, flat feet Full Article: Posterior Tibial Tendonitis At The DoctorsAny new incidence of pain on the outside of the foot that doesn't settle down within a few days should be assessed by your doctor. At your appointment the doctor will:
If you have injured your foot, have severe foot pain, are unable to walk, have lost sensation in your foot, or your foot has changed colour, see your doctor immediately. Treating Pain On Outside Of FootThe best treatment for pain on the outside of the foot will depend on what is causing it and what stage you are at in the healing process.
You can find out more
about specific treatment techniques for each of the different causes of pain on outside of foot by reading the full articles about your specific foot problem. What's Causing My Side Foot Pain?So as you can see there are lots of possible causes of lateral foot pain each of which present slightly differently:
If you have noticed a lump on the side of your foot which may or may not be painful, check out the Lump On Side Of Foot article. What Next?If you are having trouble working out what is causing the pain on the outside of your foot, or your foot pain is more widespread, visit the foot pain diagnosis section for help working out what is going wrong. If you want to find out more about treatment options, including the best exercises to regain strength and function, visit the foot pain treatment section. Don't let your pain on outside of foot get you down, take back control
today. Related ArticlesPage Last Updated: 10/11/22 How do you treat pain on the outside of your foot?Treating Pain On Outside Of Foot
Rest Ice Compression Elevation: Generally, the best place to start is with RICE - a combination of resting from aggravating activities, regularly applying ice, wearing a compression bandage to reduce swelling and support the foot and elevating the leg to help reduce swelling.
Why does the outside of my foot hurt when I workout?Pain on the outside of the foot is generally due to overuse on a particular spot. It's important to determine which part of your gait cycle is causing the pain. The most common issue is excessive lateral contact, which means you're landing on the outside of your foot (inversion) before rolling inwards.
What is it called when the outside of your foot hurts?If you feel pain alongside the outer edge of your foot, you're experiencing what's known as lateral foot pain. This is a common issue triggered by walking, running, and other activities. Lateral foot pain is often accompanied by instability, tenderness, swelling, and even difficulty moving around.
What is runner's foot?Athletes and runners often get a condition called runner's toe, which is a blackened toenail caused by repeated strain on your foot. It's not dangerous, but it can be very painful, and there are ways to prevent it.
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