Foot and ankle pain is extremely common for runners. Learn common conditions that affect runners, treatment and prevention for foot pain, and more!

Why Does Running Cause Foot Pain?

There are several reasons that runners can have foot pain. Foot pain may stem from improper footwear, injury, bad technique, running very long distances, and over-rotation of the foot.

What are Some Common Foot Conditions That Affect Runners?

Plantar fasciitis

This condition occurs when the plantar fascia tendon, the tendon that connects the heel to the front of the foot, is damaged. This can happen from overuse when running, improper form, and excessive force. If you have plantar fasciitis, you may experience heel pain, tightness in the foot, pain in the arch, or stabbing pain at the bottom of the foot.

Bunions

A bunion is a bump next to the big toe that forms when the bones in the big toe is shifted. Wearing running shoes that are too tight or narrow may cause bunions. Additionally, wearing narrow shoes outside of running can cause bunions.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon is damaged. This tendon runs from the lower leg to the heel bone. This condition can happen to runners when they increase the intensity of their run too suddenly. If you have Achilles tendonitis, you may experience aching or stiffness in the back of the leg.

How is Foot Pain Treated?

If you are a runner and you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, seek help from a foot doctor near you. Our foot doctors will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to determine what is going on with your foot. From there, they may use imaging to confirm diagnosis.

Your foot and ankle doctor may recommend the following treatments for foot pain:

• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Brace
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Custom orthotics
• Surgery

Tips to Prevent Foot Pain  

If you are a runner who is experiencing foot and ankle pain, here are some simple changes you can make to prevent foot pain:

• Change your running shoes
• Get custom orthotics
• Stretch before and after running
• Run for less distance or take longer breaks in between runs
• Ensure that you have proper form

Seek Help from a Foot Doctor Near You

If you are a runner that is experiencing foot pain, seek the help of a foot surgeon near you. Our foot and ankle doctors are located in Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood, TN. They have experience treating ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries, Morton’s neuroma, stress fractures, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, arthritis of the foot and ankle, sesamoiditis, and more!

To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons specializing in the foot and ankle, call us or request an appointment online.

4 most common foot injuries sustained by runners

Your feet take a pounding as a runner. Even with the most technologically advanced cushioned running shoe on the market, the repetitive nature of running, combined with the impact and force exerted on the feet, means that runners are, unfortunately, rather susceptible to foot injuries.

We caught up with Siobhan McCutcheon, podiatrist and clinical director of Market Street Clinic to find out the most common running-related foot injuries, and how you can prevent them…

4 most common foot injuries sustained by runners

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a flat length ‘thick tissue at the sole of the foot that runs from your heel bone to your toes,’ explains McCutcheon.

‘Plantar fasciitis is a disorder in which the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and unpleasant, producing discomfort and soreness in the base of the heel or along the arch of the foot,’ she says.

Plantar fasciitis tends to be most significant in the morning, or after long hours of standing or walking. Some people may report stiffness and difficulties walking.

One of the best ways to get relief is by stretching and strengthening the plantar fascia itself, says McCutcheon.

1. Sit with one leg crossed over the opposite knee.
2. Use your hand to pull your toes back toward your shin until you feel a stretch along the bottom of your foot.
3. Hold for 15-30 seconds and switch feet.

Read our our full guide to treating and preventing plantar fasciitis.

Ankle sprains

‘An ankle sprain generally develops when the foot bends or rotates beyond its normal range of motion, causing the ligaments to overstretch or rupture,’ says McCutcheon. ‘When you sprain your ankle, you’ve strained or torn the ligaments that keep your ankle bones together and offer support to your joints.’

Symptoms include: a swollen, bruised area on the outside ankle bone or a swollen area the size of a trainer sock, pain and tenderness in the ankle, difficulty putting weight on the affected foot, stiffness or limited range of motion in the ankle, instability or feeling like your ankle may give way.

Prevention exercises

To avoid ankle sprains, one of the best things you can do is to strengthen the muscles around the ankles and calves. Try these two exercises.

Ankle circles:

1. Sit with your legs straight out in front of you and your feet off the ground.
2. Rotate your ankle in a circle, moving your foot clockwise 10 times and then counterclockwise 10 times.
3. Repeat with the other foot.

Resisted ankle flexion/extension:

1. Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you and wrap a resistance band around the ball of one foot.
2. Pull the band toward your body, flexing your foot, then release and point your toes away from your body.
3. Repeat for 10-15 repetitions, then switch to the other foot.

Read our full guide to treating and preventing ankle sprains.

Metatarsal stress injuries

‘The metatarsal bones are a collection of five long bones that link the ankle bones to the toes in the front of the foot and give the foot its arch,’ says McCutcheon. ‘Because they are situated on the ball of the foot, where the majority of the body’s weight is transferred during activities like walking and running, the metatarsal bones are especially prone to repeated pressure.’

Because they take much of the impact on foot strike, they can easily become strained, inflamed or fractured. ‘The symptoms of a metatarsal stress injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury,’ says McCutcheon, but a stress injury is usually evident by increasing pain on movement, ‘particularly during walking, running or jumping’. Other symptoms include: swelling of the metatarsals or tenderness to the touch, tingling or numbness (also felt in the toes) and red or bruised skin in the affected area.

The most common cause? Increasing running distance, frequency or speed too quickly.

Prevention exercises

Strengthening the glutes, quadriceps, calves, as well as improving your core stability, will aid prevention. You should also focus on strengthening the toe flexors, plantar fasica and peroneus muscles in the lower leg (the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis), which will help to protect the metatarsals.

Toe curls:

1. Sit with your feet flat on the floor and a small towel under your toes.
2. Use your toes to scrunch the towel towards you, then release.
3. Repeat for 10-15 repetitions.

Arch lifts:

1. Sit with your feet flat on the floor and lift your arches, keeping your toes and heels on the ground.
2. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then release.
3. Repeat for 10-15 repetitions.

Morton’s neuroma

‘Caused by a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the nerves leading to the toes, Morton’s neuroma is a painful ailment that commonly affects the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toes,’ says McCutcheon.

Described as feeling like your socks are bunching up or even that you have a small stone in your shoe, the specific cause of Morton’s neuroma is unknown, however, it is thought to be associated with high-impact activities that put pressure on the foot, as well as bunions or hammertoe, explains McCutcheon.

It affects women more frequently than men: ‘This is assumed to be due to women’s foot form and size, the types of shoes they wear and hormonal factors that may impact the structure and function of the foot. Women who wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes are more likely to acquire Morton’s neuroma.’

Prevention exercises

You can help to be prevent Morton’s neuroma by reducing the pressure on the arch of the foot – this can be done stretching the calf and achilles.

You should also strengthen the plantar fascia and other foot muscles to decrease stress in that area. Try these two exercises.

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and raise up onto your tiptoes, then slowly lower back down.
2. Repeat for 10-15 repetitions.
3. For extra depth, try these on a box, or a stair.

Balance exercises:

1. Stand on one foot with your eyes closed for 30 seconds, then switch to the other foot.
2. Repeat for 2-3 sets.
3. You can also try standing on a wobble board or cushion for added difficulty.