Foot Pain Self-Check
Heel, Achilles, arch and forefoot pain
Not sure what’s causing your foot pain? Tap where it hurts, answer a few quick questions, and the tool below will show you which common condition best matches your symptoms, what you can do now, and how we would help.
It takes about two minutes. It is a guide rather than a diagnosis, so if your pain is severe, getting worse or you are worried, please book in or see your GP.
Common causes of foot pain
Heel pain
Pain under the heel is most often plantar fasciitis, irritation of the thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to your toes. The classic sign is pain with your first steps in the morning, or when you stand up after sitting, that eases a little once you get moving.
A deep, bruise-like ache in the middle of the heel that builds the longer you are on your feet, especially barefoot or on hard floors, can point to heel fat pad irritation instead. Our guide to heel pain vs plantar fasciitis explains the difference.
In active children aged around 8 to 14, heel pain is often Sever’s disease, an irritation of the growth plate at the back and bottom of the heel.
Less often, heel pain comes from a stress reaction in the heel bone, or from an irritated nerve such as Baxter’s nerve, which tends to cause burning or tingling. Both are worth having assessed. Our heel pain page covers the full range of causes.
Back of the heel and Achilles pain
Pain right where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone is usually insertional Achilles tendinopathy. It is often aggravated by the backs of shoes, hills, stairs and stretching the calf hard.
Pain a few centimetres higher, in the tendon itself, is midportion Achilles tendinopathy. It typically feels stiff in the morning, eases as you warm up, then aches more afterwards or the next day. Read more about Achilles tendinopathy, and how shockwave therapy can be used for persistent tendon pain.
Arch pain
Pain under the arch, especially with your first steps, is often plantar fasciitis further along the tissue. Pain on the inside of the ankle, with an arch that is gradually flattening on one side, can point to a tibialis posterior tendon problem. This one is worth having checked early, and custom foot orthotics are often part of the plan.
Forefoot and toe pain
Burning, tingling or a ‘pebble in the shoe’ feeling between the 3rd and 4th toes is typical of Morton’s neuroma. A general ache under the ball of the foot points to overload, often called metatarsalgia. Our guide to ball of foot pain covers the common causes.
Pain at the big toe joint usually comes from a bunion, a stiff and worn joint, or irritation of the small sesamoid bones underneath. A big toe joint that suddenly becomes hot, red and very swollen can be gout, and should be seen by your GP promptly.
When to get foot pain checked urgently
Please see your GP, an urgent care clinic or the emergency department rather than using this self-check if you cannot take four steps after an injury, you felt a sudden snap at the back of the ankle, or your foot is hot, red and swollen and you feel unwell.
If you have diabetes and notice a wound, a change in colour or new numbness, contact your GP or podiatrist the same day. Regular diabetic foot assessments help pick up problems early.
How we assess foot pain at My Family Podiatry
Two people with the same diagnosis often need different plans, so the first step is working out exactly what is going on and why. An assessment at our Albany Creek clinic may include a chat about what has changed, a hands-on examination, in-clinic diagnostic ultrasound where it helps, and a gait and footwear review.
Depending on what we find, treatment may include a strengthening programme, footwear advice, custom foot orthotics or shockwave therapy. No referral is needed to book.
Common questions
Can this self-check diagnose my foot pain?
No. It matches your answers to the most common patterns for each area of the foot, which can help you understand what might be going on. Only an assessment can confirm the cause, and some conditions can occur together.
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
No. You can book directly with us. If you have an EPC, DVA or WorkCover referral, bring it with you.
What is the most common cause of heel pain?
In adults, plantar fasciitis. In children who play a lot of sport, Sever’s disease is more common.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most common overuse problems, complete rest is not needed. Easing back on whatever aggravates it, then building back up gradually, is usually more helpful. If the pain is severe or you cannot walk normally, get it checked.