[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/09\/what-causes-foot-arch-pain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/09\/what-causes-foot-arch-pain\/","headline":"What Causes Foot Arch Pain?","name":"What Causes Foot Arch Pain?","description":"Plantar fasciitis, flat feet, posterior tibial tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis can all cause foot arch pain. Learn more about how to relieve foot arch pain.","datePublished":"2023-09-20","dateModified":"2024-03-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","name":"UPMC Orthopaedic Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/orthopaedic-surgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1018207992-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1018207992-1.jpg","height":1365,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/09\/what-causes-foot-arch-pain\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Orthopaedics"],"wordCount":1092,"articleBody":"Pain in the arch of your foot can really hurt. Like,\u00a0really\u00a0hurt. And when your feet hurt, it can be hard to think about anything else.\u201cNot having a strong foundation of support can affect everything,\u201d says Christine Nolan, DPM, podiatrist, UPMC in North Central Pa.The good news, however, is that 90% to 95% of people with foot arch pain can improve their symptoms with conservative treatments.As a podiatrist board-certified in foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, Dr. Nolan treats a range of foot problems.\u201cMany patients present to specialists after attempting some conservative treatments that have failed to eliminate their pain,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. \u201cNot all patients will require surgery, but there is a subset of patients who exhaust conservative treatments that could benefit from this type of intervention.\u201dCommon Causes of Foot Arch PainA lot of different things can contribute to foot and arch pain, Dr. Nolan says. For some, it\u2019s their foot structure or perhaps the way they walk. For others, it\u2019s an injury related to overuse or not wearing the right shoes.\u201cIt\u2019s our job to get answers for people,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. \u201cWe look at the symptoms they have and then try to pinpoint the cause.\u201dPlantar fasciitisAccording to Dr. Nolan,\u00a0plantar fasciitis\u00a0is one of the most common reasons for foot arch pain and heel pain. The plantar fascia is the band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. It extends from the heel of your foot to your toes.When you push off the ball of your foot to walk or run, it puts tension on the plantar fascia. This same motion over and over can make the tendon start to become less flexible and elastic.When the fascia doesn\u2019t stretch as easily, it gets irritated and inflamed, causing pain.\u201cWith plantar fasciitis, the pain can be sharp or shooting,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. \u201cIt often starts at the heel and goes into the arch.\u201dPlantar fasciitis can be common among runners and walkers, especially those who exercise on hard surfaces. It can affect people of all ages.\u201cWe see it in younger people who play sports, as well as older adults who remain active,\u201d Dr. Nolan says.Posterior tibial tendonitisPlantar fasciitis isn\u2019t the only problem that can affect the arches of your feet. Posterior tibial tendonitis is another possible cause.\u201cThere are tendons that support your arch that can get inflamed,\u201d Dr. Nolan says.The posterior tibial tendon is the big one that causes problems, especially for runners. This tendon connects the inner part of your foot to the lower leg. When it gets inflamed, it often hurts around the inner ankle and into the arch.As with plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis usually needs rest and some anti-inflammatory medicine. Supportive shoe gear or inserts can be beneficial to provide additional structural support to this tendon as well as the arch of the foot.Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS)Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS)\u00a0is a nerve compression problem, like carpal tunnel \u2014 but in your feet. It affects the posterior tibial nerve and can cause arch pain or foot numbness and tingling.Having flat feet can increase a person\u2019s risk of developing TTS. Another is swelling from an injury \u2014 or from arthritis or diabetes \u2014 because the swelling pushes against the nerve. Anti-inflammatory medicine can help, and surgery to release the nerve is the last option.Fallen archesFlat feet, also called\u00a0fallen arches, can lead to arch pain all on their own.\u201cNot everyone with flat feet has pain,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. \u201cBut it can affect gait, which affects other things.\u201dPhysical therapy and orthotics can help treat fallen arches.Achilles tendonitisHaving a tight or inflamed Achilles tendon can cause pain in the midfoot and heel. Sometimes,\u00a0Achilles tendonitis\u00a0happens along with plantar fasciitis, and it\u2019s hard for patients to know where the pain is coming from.\u201cIt\u2019s often more than one thing causing arch pain,\u201d Dr. Nolan says.Preventing Foot Arch PainRegular stretching of the foot and calf is one way to prevent arch pain, Dr. Nolan says. The problem is, most people don\u2019t think to stretch or do other foot exercises until they have pain.The biggest preventive measure Dr. Nolan suggests is wearing the right footwear.First, this means replacing worn shoes.\u201cYou need structural support,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. Once that wears away, you start to put yourself at risk for injury.While a great pair of dress shoes may last years, athletic shoes wear out much quicker. You can often tell if you look at the bottom and note the wear on the soles and around the heels.Also, wear shoes fitted to your foot type, Dr. Nolan says.\u201cDon\u2019t just pick the color or style you like,\u201d she says. \u201cPick based on the functional benefit.\u201dThere is no \u201cstandard\u201d running or walking shoe or brand Dr. Nolan recommends. There are dozens of options.\u201cYou need the right arch support, but also, length and width matter,\u201d Dr. Nolan says.Treating Foot Arch PainTo relieve foot arch pain, rest and stretching are often key. For plantar fasciitis, it\u2019s important to stretch:The plantar fascia itself.The calf muscles.The muscles around the foot and ankle joint.Dr. Nolan will often refer people to a physical therapist to work with them on stretches that target these areas.\u201cA lot of arch pain can be reversed by the right exercises,\u201d she says.She may recommend using orthotics, or shoe inserts, as these can make a big difference, too.Taking anti-inflammatory medicine can also help.\u201cSome people may also be a candidate for pain-relieving injections,\u201d Dr. Nolan says. \u201cFor plantar fasciitis, there is an area where we can inject that helps some people.\u201dIf conservative treatments have not improved your pain, more advanced imaging may be recommended.\u201cAn MRI can find those soft-tissue tears or soft-tissue masses pushing on the bottom of the foot,\u201d Dr. Nolan says.If needed, surgery may be an option. One option is a plantar fascia release, which involves making a small incision through a scope. \u201cIt can help significantly,\u201d Dr. Nolan says, \u201cbut it\u2019s a last resort.\u201d\u201cDon\u2019t wait until pain gets the better of you,\u201d she says.Whether you’re looking for foot and ankle injury prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, UPMC Orthopaedic Care can help. Visit our website to find care near you.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 20, 2023, and was last reviewed on March 12, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Causes Foot Arch Pain?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/09\/what-causes-foot-arch-pain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]