Where does your foot hurt?

Pain under the heel

• Plantar fasciitisSharp pain under the heel, worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting.
• Heel spurA small bony growth under the heel bone. Many people with a spur on an X-ray have no pain at all.
• Heel fat pad syndromeA deep, bruise-like ache in the centre of the heel, worse barefoot and on hard surfaces.

More on heel pain: in the morning, after walking, at night.

Pain at the back of the heel

• Insertional Achilles tendinopathyPain right where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone.
• Haglund's deformityA bony bump on the upper back of the heel, irritated when shoes press on it.
• Sever's diseaseHeel pain in active children aged 8 to 15.

Pain at the back of the ankle, above the heel

• Achilles tendinopathy (mid-portion)Pain in the body of the tendon, typically 2 to 6 centimeters above the heel bone, that hurts with loading.
• Calf raise testCheck your calf endurance, a useful number to know with Achilles pain.

Pain in the arch

• Plantar fasciitisUsually felt at the heel, but the pain can spread along the arch.
• Flat feetA low or flattened arch. Often painless; the guide covers when it needs attention.
• Arch painThe common causes of arch pain and how to tell them apart.

Pain on the inside of the ankle

• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunctionThe tendon that supports the arch runs behind the inner ankle bone. When it weakens or becomes inflamed, this area hurts.
• Adult-acquired flatfootAn arch that flattens in adulthood, sometimes on one side. If it happens suddenly, see a clinician.

Pain on the top of the foot

• Top of foot painOften irritated extensor tendons from tight laces. It can also be a stress fracture, gout or an irritated nerve.

Pain in the ball of the foot

• MetatarsalgiaAn ache under the ball of the foot, often under the second and third metatarsal heads.
• Morton's neuromaBurning, tingling or the feeling of a pebble in the shoe, most often between the third and fourth toes.

Pain at the big toe joint

• BunionA bony bump on the inner side of the big toe joint, with the big toe leaning toward the others.
• SesamoiditisPain under the big toe joint, where two small bones sit inside the tendon.

Pain in the toes

• Hammer toeA toe that bends down at the middle joint, most often the second.
• Morton's neuromaNerve pain that can shoot into the third and fourth toes.

Pain along the shin

• Shin splintsPain along the inner edge of the shinbone, spread over several inches. Pain in one small spot can be a stress fracture.