Understanding the nature and mechanism of foot pain

Abstract

Approximately one-quarter of the population are affected by foot pain at any given time. It is often disabling and can impair mood, behaviour, self-care ability and overall quality of life. Currently, the nature and mechanism underlying many types of foot pain is not clearly understood. Here we comprehensively review the literature on foot pain, with specific reference to its definition, prevalence, aetiology and predictors, classification, measurement and impact. We also discuss the complexities of foot pain as a sensory, emotional and psychosocial experience in the context of clinical practice, therapeutic trials and the placebo effect. A deeper understanding of foot pain is needed to identify causal pathways, classify diagnoses, quantify severity, evaluate long term implications and better target clinical intervention.

Gait, balance and plantar pressures in older people with toe deformities

“…It has been suggested that mechanical stress, which can be represented by high pressures experienced over longer durations (peak pressure and pressuretime integral) is associated with the development of foot pain [28,32]. In fact, our previous research supports this theory whereby older individuals with foot pain displayed significantly higher peak pressure and pressure-time integrals compared to those without foot pain [17].…”

A modified straight leg raise test to differentiate between sural nerve pathology and Achilles tendinopathy. A cross-sectional cadaver study

“…Calf pain, ankle pain and foot pain can be due to a large variety of causes (Hawke and Burns, 2009;Choudhary and McNally, 2011). Sural nerve pathology is an uncommon diagnosis (Stickler et al, 2006), but is a condition that may be overlooked as differential diagnosis.…”

The effect of flooring on musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower extremities and low back among female nursing assistants

“…Foot pain is common in the general population, with prevalence rates ranging from 10-42% in different populations (Garrow et al 2004, Hill et al 2008, Messing et al 2008, Hawke and Burns 2009). The differences in prevalence rates between studies are probably due to different definitions of pain and prevalence periods (i.e.…”

“…today, last month, or last 12 months). Female gender and advancing age have been associated with an increased risk of foot pain (Messing et al 2008, Hawke andBurns 2009) and reduced health-related quality of life has been reported as a consequence (Irving et al 2008).…”

“…nociceptive or neuropathic), injury mechanism or histological pathology. One of the most common causes of foot pain is plantar fasciitis, which involves pain at the origin of the plantar fascia at the calcaneal insertion point as it is stretched during weight bearing (Hawke andBurns 2009, Werner et al 2010). Risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis include both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.…”