In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about lateral foot pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Lateral foot pain—pain along the outside edge of the foot and ankle—can be demobilizing and is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It often occurs before, during, or after activities like running or walking[1]. Severe cases can make it difficult to stand or walk, and self-diagnosis is discouraged. Accurate diagnosis and quality treatment from a trusted physician are essential for recovery.
Table of Contents
What Are The Symptoms Coinciding With Lateral Foot Pain?
Lateral foot pain often starts gradually due to weight-bearing, poor footwear, or biomechanics. Symptoms may include:
- Difficulty walking or weight-bearing
- Pain on the outside of the foot that persists
- Swelling and tenderness
- Inability to stand properly on the foot
- Susceptibility to ankle sprains
As the condition progresses, discomfort may worsen during activity or standing. Swelling and tenderness can make relief difficult. In severe cases, nerve compression (as seen in advanced sciatica) can contribute to similar symptoms.
What Are The Causes Of Lateral Foot Pain?
Lateral foot pain can result from several underlying conditions:
1. Stress Fracture
Repetitive pressure from running, jumping, or heavy lifting can cause tiny cracks (stress fractures), especially in the 5th metatarsal. Pain is deep and achy, worsening with activity or tight shoes[2].
2. Bunions
Bunions cause the big toe to angle inward, shifting weight to the lateral foot and causing pain[3].
3. Peroneus Brevis Tendon Injury
Repetitive stress or poor footwear can injure the peroneus brevis tendon, causing pain, warmth, weakness, and sometimes a popping sound[4].
4. Tarsal Coalition
A rare condition where extra bone connects foot bones, causing fatigue, cramps, and pain[5].
5. Cuboid Syndrome
Partial dislocation or ligament injury of the cuboid bone, often from overuse, obesity, or tight shoes, leads to pain and instability[6].
6. Ankle Sprains
Twisting injuries or inversion sprains are common causes, especially after recent ankle trauma[7].
7. Midtarsal Joint Sprain
Ligament injury at the midtarsal joint causes pain from the outside to the middle of the foot.
How Is Lateral Foot Pain Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a physical exam to assess stability, mobility, pain, deformities, and swelling. Imaging (MRI, X-ray, bone scan, CT) may be used to confirm the cause.
How Lateral Foot Pain Can Be Treated?
If pain persists, seek medical attention. Treatment depends on the cause:
1. Stress Fractures
Most heal with rest, shoe inserts, and “`html
crutches. Severe cases may require surgery. Avoid putting weight on the affected foot during recovery.
2. Peroneus Brevis Tendon Injury
NSAIDs help reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy can restore strength and range of motion. Complete tendon tears may require surgery.
3. Tarsal Coalition
- NSAIDs or steroid injections for pain
- Temporary boots or casts for stabilization
- Physical therapy and shoe inserts for support
4. Cuboid Syndrome
Physical therapy, stretching, and custom shoe inserts support the cuboid bone and relieve pain. Prevent recurrence by warming up before exercise.
5. Ankle Sprains
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are first-line treatments. Physical therapy and custom orthotics can help prevent future injuries. NSAIDs may be recommended for pain[8].
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat lateral foot pain.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits. Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles, stimulating the production of collagen cells needed to repair damage and help lateral foot pain. As prolotherapy treats the root cause, it is considered a permanent fix, preventing symptoms from returning.
Conclusion
Lateral foot pain is common in athletes and those with repetitive or high-impact activities. Rest, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and custom orthotics are effective for most cases. If pain persists, consult a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist for a thorough evaluation and advanced treatments like Prolotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a stress fracture on the outside of the foot feel like?
It feels like aching, pain, and tenderness that intensifies with activity. Swelling and bruising may also be present at the fracture site.
How do you treat lateral foot pain?
Rest, bracing, ice, compression, elevation, physical therapy, and custom orthotics are first-line treatments. Severe cases may require surgery.
What does it mean when the outer side of your foot hurts?
Pain on the outer side of the foot can be caused by peroneal tendonitis, bone fractures, stress fractures, or bursitis. Accurate diagnosis is important for effective treatment.
What does lateral foot tendonitis feel like?
Tenderness, swelling, instability, and difficulty walking or moving the foot. It is often triggered by running, walking, or strenuous activity.
What causes pain to the lateral part of the foot?
Common causes include peroneus brevis tendon injury, inflammation, degenerative changes, and repetitive tension on the tendon or surrounding structures.
What does cuboid syndrome feel like?
Intense pain on the lateral and sometimes underside of the foot, often sudden and persistent, worsened by walking, standing, or running.
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Author Bio
References
- Sanal HT, Chen L. Lateral foot pain. Skeletal Radiol 2015;44:1705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2181-x.
- Kaiser PB, Guss D, DiGiovanni CW. Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle in Athletes. Foot Ankle Orthop 2018;3:247301141879007. https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011418790078.
- Aebischer AS, Duff S. Bunions: A review of management. Aust J Gen Pract 2021. https://doi.org/10.3316/informit.553827823333931.
- Keles-Celik N, Kose O, Sekerci R, Aytac G, Turan A, Güler F. Accessory Ossicles of the Foot and Ankle: Disorders and a Review of the Literature. Cureus 2017;9:e1881–e1881. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1881.
- Addar A, Marwan Y, Algarni N, Algarni N, Berry GK, Benaroch T. Tarsal coalition: Systematic review of arthroscopic management. Foot 2021;49:101864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2021.101864.
- Pountos I, Panteli M, Giannoudis P V. Cuboid Injuries. Indian J Orthop 2018;52:297–303. https://doi.org/10.4103/ortho.IJOrtho_610_17.
- Delahunt E, Remus A. Risk factors for lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability. J Athl Train 2019;54:611–6. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-44-18.
- Lau BC, Moore LK, Thuillier DU. Evaluation and Management of Lateral Ankle Pain Following Injury. JBJS Rev 2018;6.