Bottom-of-the-foot pain can result from injuries, including sprains and fractures, or other health conditions like flat feet and arthritis. The location of the pain can help identify the cause.

Many different issues can cause pain on the bottom of the foot. These can include injuries to the muscles, joints, and bones of the foot as well as other health conditions.

Some factors, including the location of your pain and what triggers it, can help identify the cause.

A podiatrist, which is a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg, can diagnose the cause of your foot pain. This usually requires a physical exam and imaging.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of pain on the bottom of the foot and when to get medical attention.

Injuries to the bones or muscles in your foot can result in foot pain and other symptoms like:

  • bruising
  • swelling
  • inability to bear weight

Symptoms may appear suddenly after an injury or may develop more gradually.

It’s possible to stretch or tear ligaments on your foot or fracture the bones. One such injury, Lisfranc (midfoot) injury, happens if there’s damage to the bones and muscles that support the midfoot, which starts at the base of your toes.

Some common causes of foot injuries can include:

  • twists or falls
  • sport injuries
  • dropping something heavy on your foot
  • stepping or stubbing your foot on something heavy, especially with a bare foot

If you have had a recent foot injury that’s causing pain, consider an evaluation by a podiatrist. They can diagnose the cause of damage to bones, joints, and muscles and recommend treatment.

Treatment can depend on the extent of the injury.

Overuse injuries on the feet typically result from small microtears that develop over time. They may get worse over time, especially if you continue using the affected foot.

Examples include:

Some causes of overuse injuries include:

  • ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that are too tight
  • wearing heels that affect the arch of the foot
  • repetitive movements, such as running, biking, or other sports
  • walking long distances

When untreated, some overuse injuries can get worse and lead to complications, such as muscle tears.

Minor overuse injuries typically improve with rest and supportive care. But if at-home care doesn’t help, it’s best to seek a diagnosis from a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It can cause pain and stiffness on the arch and heel of your foot. The pain may be sharp or dull.

Pain from plantar fasciitis is usually worse at certain times, including:

Treating it usually involves rest, stretches, and wearing supportive shoes.

Untreated, plantar fasciitis can become worse and may lead to a tear in the plantar fascia. For some people, plantar fasciitis requires surgery.

Morton neuroma causes pain in the ball of your foot, or where your toes connect with your foot. It may:

  • feel like a burning pain
  • feel like you’re standing on a rock
  • feel numb or tingle
  • cause difficulty walking

Sometimes, it can also cause bruising on the bottom of your foot.

It can happen when a nerve in the foot becomes compressed or irritated. This can result from:

  • too-tight shoes
  • wearing shoes with high heels
  • instability in the way you walk, which may lead to gait changes
  • foot differences, including bunions, or bumps on the side of the big toe, or hammer toe, which causes the toes to bend forward
  • certain sports, like ballet or skiing
  • repetitive movements
  • injury

Morton neuroma treatment typically involves at-home care, including stretches and massage. If conservative treatments don’t resolve your symptoms, a podiatrist may recommend other treatments, including injections and surgery.

You may have flat feet or “fallen arches,” if your feet lay flat on the ground or if your foot does not appear to have an arch.

Flat feet usually don’t require treatment. But they can sometimes cause:

  • stiffness
  • pain
  • numbness
  • weakness

If they bother you, it’s best to talk with a podiatrist. They may be able to recommend specific shoes to help relieve pain.

Calluses and corns both involve bumps on the skin of the feet. They may affect the position of your foot in your shoe, leading to foot pain. Calluses and corns typically result from repetitive rubbing or pressure, usually from your shoes.

Corns have a central core, while calluses do not.

You can usually manage them with home remedies, including foot soaks and using a pumice stone.

But if they occur with concerning symptoms, such as blood or pus, or you have diabetes, it’s best to talk with a foot doctor.

Osteoarthritis that affects the feet can cause foot pain, aching, or stiffness. Osteoarthritis typically causes:

Osteoarthritis causes gradual joint and cartilage degeneration that typically worsens over time.

It usually requires diagnosis by a doctor, who typically develops a treatment plan with a variety of treatments, including medications, physical therapy, and assistive devices.

If your foot pain doesn’t improve with rest and supportive care or is severe, it’s best to talk with a doctor to determine the cause.

They may recommend tests in order to better understand why you’re experiencing pain in the bottom of your foot. These can include:

The doctor usually develops a treatment plan based on the specific cause. It may include:

Pain on the bottom of the foot can result from injury, degenerative joint conditions, or skin conditions like calluses.

Often, this pain can improve with rest and supportive care. But if it doesn’t get better on its own, a podiatrist can diagnose the cause and recommend treatment.