Why Do My Arches Always Hurt?

Arch pain is one of the most uncomfortable types of foot discomfort. It can get better with walking and standing, but for many people, activity only worsens the problem. When that occurs, it can be difficult to live your life whether you’re an athlete, an active person, or even someone with a slower-paced lifestyle.

Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers, with five locations in Arizona, is equipped to deal with all types of foot and ankle pain, and many of our patients come to us with unexplained arch pain. We’re here to help you get to the root cause.

Payam Sarraf, DPM, Kate Kennedy, DPM, Katy Statler, DPM, Andrew Goodeill, DPM, Christopher Van Damme, DPM, Amelia Harris, DPM, and Sina Safar, DPM are our providers, all of whom offer compassionate and individualized care. After all, we know how essential it is to be able to move around without pain and discomfort.

The skinny on arch pain

Pain in the arches is sometimes mild. If you rest or soak your feet, you might notice the issue resolves relatively quickly. But if you have consistent arch pain, it may be time to look for the underlying cause.

There could be many reasons for your arch pain. The truth is, the more you know going in, the easier it is for us to make a diagnosis. For example, take the time to ask yourself the questions listed here.

Do my arches hurt all the time? Are there times when they don’t?
Do my arches hurt more in the morning or at night?
Do they hurt more while walking, standing, or resting?
Does the pain localize near the front of the foot (near the toes) or closer to the heel?
Are you noticing pain in other places, like on top of your foot, in your back, knees, legs, or somewhere else?

Once you know the answers to these questions, make an appointment with our team so we can help treat your painful arches.

Top reasons for arch pain

There are several reasons your arches could be hurting. Here are some common ones:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, and it can cause soreness in the arches as well. It occurs when the tissue that connects the ball of your foot to the heel becomes inflamed from overuse or stress. People who work on their feet a lot frequently develop this condition.

Flatfoot or high arches

Flatfoot (or flatfeet) is a condition where the bottom of your foot doesn’t have a curved arch. That causes the bottom of your foot to touch the floor when you stand and walk. It’s usually a structural issue and can be treated by wearing supportive shoes.

There is a type of flatfoot called posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD, which occurs when you injure or experience problems with the tendon. That can cause consistent arch pain and may need to be corrected with inserts, an ankle brace, or in severe cases, surgery.

High arches

Alternatively, overly high arches can also cause arch pain. The pain is usually most pronounced when standing or walking. Similarly to flatfoot, the condition is usually structural, and treatment may entail wearing inserts or specialized shoes.

Overpronation

People who overpronate will hit the ground on the outer side of their foot first, then roll inward. Over time, this issue can lead to flatfoot, as well as bunions and hammertoe. Shoes that offer more stability are often helpful.

Your arches don’t have to hurt

And you don’t need to live with pain and discomfort. We have five locations in Arizona where you can get focused care and learn the cause of your arch pain. Then, your recovery can begin. Just call today.